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.
Berks Department of Agriculture
Jodi Gauker | Gauker Farms
Kayla Shaak
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
Wednesday Oct 21, 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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