AgWorks: Connecting Agricultural Businesses to Workforce Services and Training

Workforce Help for Farms and Agribusinesses

AgWorks will provide 100 registered small- to medium-sized Pennsylvania farms and agribusinesses with no-cost training and consultation in the following areas to ensure business sustainability:

• Hiring and Retention
• Business Operations
• Compensation and Benefits
• Legal Counseling *
• Health and Safety
• PA CareerLink® services to help farms and Agribusinesses 

Additional resources may be available to those who register and consult with their Workforce Consultant.

Webinars and Private Consultation

Over the next two years, we will offer over 90 webinars that will be recorded and available to those participating. The webinars are open to participating organizations and their employees.

Registered participants can also speak with their workforce consultants to utilize tailored consulting and other services that fit their professional needs.

Register for the AgWorks Program

To participate in the AgWorks program, complete the intake form, which includes a brief survey that will help us understand the challenges that businesses face.

Intake and Survey Link

For more information about the program, contact agworks@psu.edu.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s training and services, visit their website.

Project Background

From 2025 to 2027, Penn State Extension and the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will collaborate with farms and agriculture-related businesses to strengthen the workforce system. This initiative aims to support employers, expand opportunities for workers, and enhance employment conditions throughout the agricultural sector.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry provides funding for this project.

This project is funded 100% with federal funds from a US Department of Labor grant totaling $1,325,699.00 and 0% ($0.00) non-federal funds. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

* The Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will not engage in legal representation of project clients and will provide education and resources to assist project clients in understanding their legal issues in preparation for retaining an attorney for representation, if desired, or the retention of another type of service provider to attempt to address the issues raised.

All legal consultations shall be conducted in a confidential manner, and all data and documentation concerning each client shall be handled confidentially in perpetuity or destroyed at the conclusion of the grant work period, according to the project clients’ wishes.