Pennsylvania farmers and their families have greater access to off-farm jobs than those in most other major agricultural states. Unlike Midwestern farmers, who live in areas where land prices are more volatile, farmers in the Commonwealth have benefited from steadily rising land values that exhibit more stability. Pennsylvania's lenders, equipment dealers, feed mills, cooperatives, and farm organizations offer a well-developed and competitive infrastructure that supports the business of agriculture. Fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, ornamentals, and other high-value crops make up about 25 percent of sales. Dairy, poultry, swine, sheep, and beef provide an important livestock base and account for 70 percent of farm sales in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania has a more diverse crop and livestock mix than states such as Kansas or Illinois, where primarily wheat and corn are grown. population is within a day's drive of Pennsylvania farms. The 12 million residents in the state provide a large market for farm produce, and half of the U.S. Various factors combine to create a favorable economic climate for small-scale and part-time farms. Two out of every three farms in the state are small-scale, part-time operations. Business ClimateĪgriculture is the largest industry in Pennsylvania, generating cash receipts of over $4 billion. This publication explains why many small-scale farms succeed in Pennsylvania, and examines the steps a farmer should take to secure a loan, as well as the major lenders that serve the small-scale agricultural sector. However, since many of these operators are new to agriculture, they may lack knowledge of business practices and lending institutions that finance farm loans. Small-scale farmers get satisfaction from watching their operations prosper and seeing their net worth grow over the life of their business.
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