Agriculture Industry Partnership Kicks Off on Wedneday, March 16
CCEDC, with funding from the PA Department of Labor & Industry, is pleased to announce that its agriculture industry partnership, AgConnect is gearing up to once again serve the needs of area farmers, food processers, and agricultural businesses. Jodi Gauker, who previously headed up AgConnect, returns as Agriculture Project Director.
“I’m excited to work with the other service providers and partners to provide more opportunities for farmers and food producers to grow their business with increased access to financing, training, and marketing opportunities to help meet the needs of our farmers, processors, and eaters,” she said.
- Working closely with the Chester County Workforce Development Board to provide vital trainings for farm and food business to grow their skills and ultimately their businesses
- Providing career exploration programs for youth to learn about careers in agriculture
- Partnering with the Chester County Agricultural Development Council to implement its new strategic plan
AgConnect will be chaired by Greg Newell, President of Nave Newell, a Wayne-based consulting firm specializing the land development and President of the PA Horse Breeders Association. The first relaunch meeting will be March 16 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. If interested in atttending or learning more, please email Jodi Gauker.
Gauker and her husband, Lee, own Gauker Farms, a 260-acre-farm in Fleetwood, where she and her family raise crops and dairy steers. They have one daughter, Callie, who is the 10th generation of Gauker Farms. Gauker is chair of the Berks County Planning Commission and is a director of Berks Agricultural Resource Network and Pennsylvania Beef Council. She is also a member of the Berks Southeast Cattlemen’s Association, Chester County Agricultural Development Council, and Penn State Stockmen’s Club.
Previously, Gauker was an Extension Educator for Penn State Extension and served CCEDC as the Agriculture Project Manager from 2012 through 2017. She spent the past five years as the Executive Director of Lundale Farm in Pottstown, a private non-profit serving as a model for landowners to lease their land to a community of farmers growing healthy food.
She says her mission is to connect farmers and food artisans with the resources they need to start, grow, finance, or finesse their business, and consume as many locally grown foods and drinks as she possibly can.
Email AgConnect