York, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited the 2025 York State Fair to celebrate Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage, meet with 4H youth and fair participants, and highlight the Shapiro Administration’s continued investments in Pennsylvania’s agriculture and tourism industries.
“Pennsylvania is proud to be home to America’s first fair — and events like the York State Fair continue to reflect the strength of our communities, the ingenuity of our farmers, and the spirit of our Commonwealth,” said Governor Shapiro. “Fairs like this are more than just tradition — they’re major economic drivers that generate over a billion dollars in impact each year and support thousands of jobs across Pennsylvania. Agriculture is at the heart of who we are, and from preserving farmland to investing in the future of the industry, my Administration is creating opportunity in every corner of the Commonwealth. I believe in our farmers and our communities, and I’m going to keep supporting the people and industries that make Pennsylvania such a special place to live, work, and visit.”
During the visit, Governor Shapiro and Secretary Redding were welcomed by York State Fair CEO Patrick Ball and York County Commissioner Doug Hoke for a tour of the fairgrounds. The Governor observed the Supreme Market Animal Selection alongside the 2025 York State Fair Queen Kennady Laird and local 4-H students, and participated in carnival games on the Midway. He also visited historical exhibits in the Old Main building, including the America250PA commemorative quilt, to which he added three ceremonial stitches in honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
“The York Fair is a perfect example of what makes Pennsylvania’s fairs so special — it brings people together, celebrates our agricultural roots, and showcases the next generation of farmers and leaders,” said Secretary Redding. “Being here with Governor Shapiro, surrounded by hardworking families, local food, and proud traditions, is a great reminder of how important fairs are to our communities and to the future of Pennsylvania agriculture.”
The visit is part of the Governor’s broader effort to highlight the vital role agriculture and local fairs play in supporting Pennsylvania’s economy, strengthening communities, and preserving the Commonwealth’s rich heritage.
Delivering for Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Economy
Agriculture is a key sector of Pennsylvania’s economy, contributing $132 billion annually and supporting over 600,000 jobs. Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, the Commonwealth has made historic investments in Pennsylvania agriculture:
- Created the first statewide Economic Development Strategy in nearly two decades with agriculture at the forefront
- Fully funded the PA Farm Bill at $13.8 million annually — supporting workforce development, processing expansion, and market access
- Invested $1 million to launch the Organic Center of Excellence, empowering organic farmers and establishing the PA Preferred Organic™ brand
- Launched the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, securing $10 million in the 2024-25 budget. In its first year, the Shapiro Administration provided grants to 88 farms and organizations in 45 counties
- Preserved over 415 farms and 35,000+ acres of farmland with more than $125 million in state funding
- Invested over $65 million to mitigate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, supporting poultry farmers and disease monitoring
- Opened a state-of-the-art animal health lab in Western Pennsylvania to enhance disease testing and biosecurity
- Expanded the Fresh Food Financing Initiative with $2 million to increase access to local food and support small businesses
In his 2025-26 proposed budget, Governor Shapiro has called for additional investments, including:
- $13 million more for the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program
- $4 million expansion of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System
- $4 million increase to the State Food Purchase Program
- $2 million to fully operate the new state animal diagnostic lab
Growing Pennsylvania’s Tourism Economy
The York State Fair is one of Pennsylvania’s most attended fairs — drawing more than 455,000 visitors last year — and plays a key role in the Commonwealth’s vibrant tourism industry.
Tourism is a key priority in Governor Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy — and new data shows the industry is surging. In 2023, Pennsylvania welcomed nearly 197 million visitors, generating a record-breaking $80.8 billion in total economic impact. Visitor spending reached $47.9 billion — surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time — and the industry supported more than 507,000 jobs, or one in every 16 jobs in the Commonwealth. Tourism also generated $10.1 billion in government revenue, including $4.8 billion in state and local taxes — revenue that would have required every Pennsylvania household to pay an additional $903 to replace.
As the birthplace of American democracy, Pennsylvania will be front and center on July 4, 2026, when the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Just as the Commonwealth played a pivotal role in 1776, it is once again preparing to take the national stage in 2026 — hosting major events across the state, including: NCAA’s March Madness men’s basketball tournament, FIFA World Cup and MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia, PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, and the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
To build on this momentum and showcase everything Pennsylvania has to offer, Governor Shapiro is calling for $65 million in his 2025-26 proposed budget to support Pennsylvania’s role in America’s 250th birthday. Last year, the Governor launched the Commonwealth’s new tourism brand: Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway — showcasing all that Pennsylvania has to offer as a premier destination for travelers, businesses, and events.
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