UNIVERSITY PARK – The Extension Foundation’s AgriProspects Workforce Development Network recently awarded Penn State Extension a competitive mini-grant to support the “Success Skills in Spanish 4 Ag” project, which focuses on workforce development for Hispanic tree fruit growers and poultry farmers.
The project aims to increase production efficiency through agricultural English language training, improve individual and farm safety with better compliance, and improve the retention and well-being of workers in the tree fruit and poultry industry.
Penn State’s project is one of 11 land grant institutions selected nationwide in the first round of funding to expand adult workforce development in agriculture.
The project is led by Maria Gorgo-Simcox, bilingual horticultural extension officer; Hope Kassube, poultry education teacher; and Linda Falcone, teacher of leadership and community vitality. Collaborators at Penn State include Kathleen Sexsmith, assistant professor of rural sociology; Daniel Weber, tree fruit extension lecturer; Kari Peter, associate professor of tree fruit pathology; and Gino Lorenzoni, associate professor of poultry science and bird health in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
The training will consist of three modules for two pilot groups of tree fruit workers and poultry workers. Both groups will receive training in workforce development and basic English vocabulary. In addition, the tree fruit group will learn about integrated pest management and food safety, while the poultry group will focus on biosecurity and poultry handling.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Agricultural Workers Survey, approximately 83 percent of agricultural workers identify as Hispanic or Latino, and 62 percent feel most comfortable speaking Spanish. In addition, 29 percent of farmworkers reported that they could not speak English, and 40 percent could not read English.
These statistics highlight the need for English-language education for this community, noted Jeff Hyde, associate dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and director of Penn State Extension.
“Spanish-speaking workers deserve basic training to ensure success and advancement while working in America’s agricultural operations,” he said.
To meet this need, Penn State Extension seeks to provide educational programs to Spanish-speaking farm owners and workers across the state.
Project leaders said they hope this training will help Latinos without fluent English enter these industries and achieve success, support the agricultural industry’s need for skilled workers and contribute to the economic viability of these sectors.
Extension agents will engage key stakeholders in the fruit and poultry industries in focus groups to promote collaboration and ensure programming meets their needs.
“It is essential to provide workforce and entrepreneurial development opportunities to Pennsylvania’s Latino farming community and the surrounding region,” Hyde said.
AgriProspects, funded by the Extension Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, aims to address training gaps in areas such as farm coaching, dairy farm safety and permaculture, while increasing access to education and skills training for rural and rural residents is being improved. underserved populations.
