HARRISBURG – In recognition of 2026 being designated as the International Year of the Woman Farmer and March being Women’s History Month, PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding celebrated the critical role the over 31,000 female producers play in strengthening the agriculture workforce across PA. Redding visited Willow Run Farmstead in Fleetwood, Berks County, where Deanne Boyer and her family used a Farm Vitality Grant to support the transition of their farm to the next generation, helping ensure the operation can continue serving their community and contributing to the state’s agricultural economy for years to come while keeping women actively involved in the future of the farm. The PA Farm Vitality Grant Program helps farmers strengthen the future of their operations by providing funding for professional planning services such as business planning, diversification, and farm transition planning. Willow Run Farmstead is a third generation preserved farm that raises beef, pork, and poultry for direct-to-consumer sales.
