AgConnect
In 2024, Chester County Government and the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) joined forces to create an expanded AgConnect program that serves to ensure the agricultural industry in Chester County and the southeast Pennsylvania region remains a leading economic sector, now and in the future. AgConnect includes a newly-established AgConnect Executive Advisory Committee, designed to steer and set strategic priorities. The 11-person committee includes chairpersons from the four AgConnect action teams (see below), three agriculture industry leaders appointed by the Chester County Commissioners, three agriculture employers appointed by the CCEDC, and one staff member from the County Commissioners’ Office.
PFL Academy
Our academy offers a collection of free online video courses focused on various organizations that can provide assistance and support to farmers like you. Gain insights, expand your skills, and discover opportunities to thrive in the agricultural industry.
PFL Meat Cutting Diagrams
Explore the art and science of meat processing with PFL’s interactive Meat Cutting Diagrams. This educational tool breaks down beef, pork, and lamb into their primal and retail cuts, offering insights into each section’s characteristics, yields, and recommended cooking methods. Perfect for farmers, butchers, and consumers alike, these diagrams empower you to make informed processing and purchasing decisions. Whether you’re marketing meat directly or simply curious about where each cut comes from, this resource brings clarity and confidence to the world of meat processing.
Fruit and Vegetable Marketing for Small-Scale and Part-Time Growers
Marketing is important to all farm enterprises, regardless of size.
Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences is helping produce growers, food processors, and feed manufacturers prepare for new regulatory standards required under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011.
Beginning Farmer: Supporting the Next Generation of Farmers
The beginning farmer program is a state-wide initiative to support a next generation of producers from diverse backgrounds.
Food for Profit: Business Planning
Before starting your new food business, you need a clear vision of how you want your business to operate, such as how it will be managed, marketed, and financed, and how you expect it to perform in the future.
Developing a Business Plan
An important task in starting a new venture is to develop a business plan, which is a “road map” to guide the future of a business or venture.
Business Exit Strategy
As you begin the business transition process, learn steps to take to make financial and personal decisions, including to sell or liquidate your business.
Business Transitions: Family Farm and Business Succession Planning
Learn what to consider and how to communicate about succession, retirement, and estate planning; property transfers; and avoiding unnecessary taxes and costs.