West Montgomery Times

Senators Tracy Pennycuick and Elder Vogel Jr. held a Town Hall on January 8 at the Farm Show complex to discuss technological innovations in Pennsylvania's agricultural sector. The event included participation from state Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, Penn State University Agricultural Sciences Dean Troy Ott, and several farmers who highlighted advancements in agribusiness.

"Today’s Town Hall showcased some of the most unique and exciting things happening in Pennsylvania agriculture," said Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., emphasizing the state's leadership role in agricultural innovation through technology.

Sen. Pennycuick remarked on the rapid pace of technological advancement and its practical applications within Pennsylvania. She stated, "While buzzwords, like AI, dominate conversations about innovation, the real impact comes from the individuals who take these concepts and turn them into practical applications."

Secretary Redding spoke about a $10 million state agricultural innovation fund established last year to support agribusinesses using technology for food production enhancement.

Troy Ott noted that technological progress will improve support for farmers, with students increasingly seeking information on integrating new technologies into farming practices.

Farmer Daniel Dotterer supported the innovation fund and described how his farm uses virtual vet visits and augmented reality headsets to address large animal veterinary service shortages.

AgriGates CEO Daniel Foy addressed cybersecurity concerns for farmer data protection, noting that much agritech originates outside the U.S. He stressed the importance of supporting domestic research and safeguarding intellectual property.

Paul Nickerson from INTAG shared optimism about agritech's future in Pennsylvania while acknowledging challenges faced by his company upon returning to the state.