Beyond the Farm: Agriculture as an Economic Engine
Economic Development Webinar Series
Agriculture is about more than what happens on the farm. In Berks County, it’s a powerful economic engine that supports jobs, businesses, innovation, tourism, manufacturing and investment in our communities.
Join GRCA and our economic development partners for the final installment of this year’s Economic Development Webinar Series as we explore the many ways agriculture contributes to the strength and vitality of Berks County’s economy.
This conversation will take a closer look at the resources available to support local farms and agricultural businesses, including the Berks County Department of Agriculture’s Bountiful Berks program. We’ll also hear directly from a local farm owner about the experience of purchasing a family farm and securing funding through the PIDA program.
Finally, we’ll look toward the future with a discussion about farm succession planning and what it will take to ensure Berks County’s agricultural industry continues to thrive for generations to come.
Whether you’re involved in agriculture, business, economic development or simply interested in the forces shaping our local economy, this conversation will offer a behind-the-scenes look at an industry that has a much larger economic footprint than you might expect.
Discover how agriculture reaches far beyond the farm—and why its future matters to the future of Berks County.
Kimberly Fies | Berks Department of Agriculture
Kim has worked in Berks County with the Agriculture Community for 25+ years. She started her career working closely with the farm community to develop conservation plans and assisted with the contracting, permitting and funding processes required to implement best management practices. Next, she took on the stewardship responsibilities for the County’s Agricultural Conservation Easement program where she conducted the required farm inspections to confirm compliance to the terms of the deed of easement and worked to connect landowners with resources to improve their operations. In 2024, she stepped into the role of Executive Director of the Berks County Department of Agriculture. In that role she continues to be involved with the Easement program, to assure alignment with smart growth goals of the County and to protect the asset and investment from County, State and Federal funds. In addition, she and her team are committed to support the economic development of the 1-billion-dollar ag industry through promotion and education to the community about the important role agriculture plays in their daily lives and what they can do to support it through career choices, local purchasing and advocacy.
Jodi Gauker | Gauker Farms
Jodi Gauker is a Business Development Extension Educator based in Chester County. In addition to her education at Penn State and Texas A&M Universities and work experience, Jodi brings practical knowledge to her position - she and her husband, Lee, are the 9th generation to continue Gauker Farms in Fleetwood. Jodi is Chair of the PA Beef Council and a director of the Berks County Planning and PA Farm Link boards. She is a member of Berks Southeast Cattlemen's Association, Penn State Stockmen's Club, Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture and Berks Agricultural Resource Network, and is a certified farm succession coordinator with the International Farm Transition Network.
Kayla Shaak | Farm Owner
Travis and Kayla Shaak are owners of a 124-acre farm in Perry Township, Berks County. Travis Shaak grew up involved in broiler, crop, and dairy farm operations. His grandfather was a longtime Berks Couty Farm Bureau Director, Harry Shaak. Today, Travis is a farm manager in a crop, dairy, and pullet operation with his uncle and cousin (Shaak Farms, LLC). Kayla Shaak has worked as a program manager for the Berks County Farm Service Agency and as a crop insurance agent. In 2025, the Shaaks undertook a $2+million project to construct a cage free layer barn (65,000 birds).
What is Economic Development (ED)?
Economic Development is an intentional effort to improve the economic vitality and quality of life in a community. Much of the work spans several years (and decades) and is often done behind the scenes.
GRCA is here to dig a bit deeper in this area of work with timely topics and examples of economic development taking place in Berks County. Together, with our economic development partners, we will provide insight into how projects get done and the resources that are available on future initiatives.
Date and Time
Friday Oct 23, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Location
Zoom Webinar
link will be sent to participants before the event
Fees/Admission
FREE (participants must pre-register)
Contact Information
Aaron Gantz
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