National Agricultural Week
Honoring America's Agricultural Foundation
While America celebrates 250 years of independence, it is important to highlight one of the largest industries in our country — agriculture. As the backbone of our nation, agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining communities, providing jobs, and ensuring food security.
In 1776, 90% of the country's workforce were farmers. This era of agriculture was extremely labor-intensive work, with no mechanical instruments. American farming landscape has now shifted to 1.8 million farms, most of which are family-owned, feeding 304.2 million people annually!
Agriculture and Community Banking
While farmers work tirelessly to produce food for America and sustain rural economies, community banks stand as vital partners in their success. Community banks hold 80% of agricultural loans. At Fleetwood Bank we understand the challenges farmers face, from unpredictable crop yields to fluctuating market prices. We provide tailored financial solutions such as operating loans, equipment financing, and lines of credit to help our farmers thrive.
"Agriculture surrounds us all, from the food we eat, to the clothes we wear. As both a commercial lender and a long-time supporter of Pennsylvania agriculture, I've seen firsthand how crucial community banks are in sustaining and growing our farming communities. We strive to support small businesses and Pennsylvania's number one industry, agriculture."
Beyond financing, community banks are active investors in the agricultural community by supporting educational programs, community development projects, 4-H livestock sales, as well as local fairs and festivals. These efforts strengthen the local economies and provide valuable resource to farmers and their families.
Berks County Agriculture and Economic Growth
Agriculture is the foundation of Pennsylvania's economy, culture, and way of life. Agriculture contributes nearly 132.5 billion dollars to the state's economy annually. It is a major econmic driver, supporting around 600,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.
Southeastern Pennsylvania alone generates 82% of the state's agricultural sales, largely due to the fact that 55% of Pennsylvania's farms are in this region. In June 2025, Berks County celebrated reaching 80,365 acres of preserved farmland in 40 townships, or approximately 846 farms. Berks County ensures that these lands remain dedicated to agricultural production and commercial equine activity, safeguarding farmers for future generations.
The Berks County Department of Agriculture completed a study in 2025 breaking down total dollar amount Berks County agriculture contributed to Pennsylvania.
Berks County 2025 Ag Economy Statistics
