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JBI highlights importance of agriculture

Organization held annual meeting

Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
(From left) Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman shakes the hand of Juniata County Commissioner and Juniata Business and Industry, Inc. President Mark Partner at the Port Royal Community Building on Wednesday evening.

PORT ROYAL — Juniata Business and Industry, Inc. demonstrated the importance of agriculture in Juniata County at its annual meeting Wednesday evening at the Port Royal Community Building. The organization featured the President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Chris Hoffman as a speaker.

Mark Partner, secretary for the Juniata County Commissioners and president of the Board of Juniata Business and Industry, Inc. first recognized several officials including Senator Judy Ward, fellow Commissioners Alice Gray and Todd Graybill, and Mifflin County Commissioner Rob Postal for their continued support and presence.

Then, Hoffman highlighted the importance of food security during his speech at the annual JBI meeting. He stated that he would let the next generation take the lead on this issue.

Times are changing. Technology is getting more and more critical. The next generation is eager to learn and willing to embrace technology and innovation to move agriculture forward.

“What we do will make sure we have food not only for us but for our nation,” said Hoffman.

Hoffman also noted that Pennsylvania currently has the cleanest water in the commonwealth for the last 70 years and that’s thanks to farmers who are using technology and innovation to do the right thing.

“We have the youngest and most farmers under 35 than any other state,” said Hoffman.

Hoffman shared that he attended the Pennsylvania Farm Show early on Wednesday and was pleased with everything they had to showcase. He added that the Pennsylvania Farm Show butter sculpture will be sent to a local farm to be processed.

“28 different countries toured the Farm Show, and we got to talk to them after,” said Hoffman.

According to Hoffman, those countries expressed a need they just do not have access to certain technological advances in farming practices.

“Putting support behind the agriculture community technology drives the future,” added Hoffman as he discussed a recent conversation he had with our governor regarding the importance of agriculture.

As he closed his speech, Hoffman added that Governor Josh Shapiro is 100 percent focused on bettering agriculture noting the last budget Shapiro passed included an investment in agriculture.

Juniata Business and Industry, Inc. is the county and state-recognized industrial development corporation for Juniata County. JBI’s mission is to enhance the economic and social well-being of Juniata County by fostering, developing, and supporting efforts to provide employment and attract business and industry.

JBI also promotes the improvement of the attractiveness of Juniata County while remaining sensitive to the environment and to the retention of the county’s rural character.

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