Dear Friend of Agriculture:

Thank you for taking this time to learn more about the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture�s Center for Farm Transitions. 

Making changes to your farm involves personal and unique decisions based on your own vision and values.  And because managing an agricultural operation is more than just a job, these changes often have an impact on much more than just the bottom line � they affect your family and your lifestyle.  To assist Pennsylvania producers in preparing and planning for the different types of transitions that might impact their farm and family, Governor Rendell created the Center for Farm Transitions. 

The Center brings together a team of experienced agriculture professionals who provide information, referrals and consultations to help people begin farming; expand, diversify or add-value to existing farm operations; explore alternate employment/careers; and prepare for the future through succession and estate planning.  Aimed at helping farmers, farm families, and would-be farm families, plan and prepare for the transitions that they are facing, the Center provides access to the unique opportunities and options Pennsylvania agriculture has to offer, including Department of Agriculture initiatives such as PAgrows, PA Preferred, Agritourism, the Farmland Preservation program and crop insurance.  The Center also uses its close connections with Pennsylvania FarmLink, Penn State University�s Extension system, and local experts to make information available regarding finance, land planning and acquisition, marketing, conservation, estate planning, regulatory programs and more. 

 Agriculture remains a key element of Pennsylvania�s economy, which means it is critical that our agricultural community and our farm families have the support needed to grow and thrive. 

Again, thank you for your interest in Pennsylvania agriculture.  We look forward to working with you.

Dennis C Wolff
Secretary of Agriculture
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania