Pennsylvania egg producers Scott and Jennifer Gochenaur and poultry growers Bernard and Mary Rose Breiner were recognized for their contributions to the state’s economy and agriculture at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days ceremonies last week.
For their commitment to fostering the next generation of Pennsylvania agriculture, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff recognized the Gochenaurs and other farm producers and agribusinesses as pioneers in the areas of agricultural entrepreneurship and transition.
Scott and Jennifer Gochenaur were recognized as the New Generation Award winners for their success in buying a 21-acre egg laying farm in Lancaster County. The Gochenaurs got help for their purchase from PAgrows and private and public funding sources like the Next Generation Farmer Loan program through Fulton Bank, the commonwealth’s First Industries Fund - Small Business First Program through the Economic Development Corporation of Lancaster, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.
The Bernard and Mary Rose Breiner farm in Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, was awarded the century farm designation. Established in 1908, the 360-acre poultry farm is one of 29 century and bicentennial farms in Schuylkill County. The century and bicentennial farm program was established to help publicize the strengths and durability of Pennsylvania’s farm families and to recognize families who have been farming the same land for 100 and 200 years.
The century and bicentennial farms were honored at Penn State's Ag Progress Days in Centre County, the state's largest outdoor agricultural event. The farms reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania agriculture and represent several generations of farm families.
The Department of Agriculture has recognized more than 1,960 longstanding farms, including 1,828 century and 137 bicentennial farms.
