Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Secretary of Labor & Industry Nancy A. Walker, alongside Kimberly Paley, President of the PA State Council of Farm Organizations, recognized three individuals as Pennsylvania Farmworkers of the Year at an event held at Adams County Nursery in Aspers. The honorees are Wilson Garcia Deras, an orchard laborer at Adams County Nursery; Jose Maderas, a harvest supervisor at Leidy’s Premium Meats in Souderton; and Jose “Ponce” Cruz, a crew supervisor at Bonnie Brae Fruit Farms in Gardners.
The awards acknowledge frontline farm and food-processing workers who contribute significantly to Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry. Agriculture Secretary Redding praised the awardees for their dedication: “Hard-working, skilled team-players like Wilson, Ponce, and Jose inspire their coworkers to perform extremely well in demanding, difficult jobs to put food on all our tables and keep their employers in business.”
Governor Josh Shapiro has prioritized agriculture since taking office. His administration’s 2025-26 budget continues efforts to strengthen the agricultural workforce through initiatives such as apprenticeships and vocational training programs. The budget also supports various agricultural sectors by addressing challenges like high-path avian influenza (HPAI) and investing in innovation projects.
Secretary Walker emphasized the importance of farmworkers: “Pennsylvania’s farmworkers are the foundation of our food supply and a vital part of our economy.” She noted that under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, there is a commitment to providing fair opportunities and strong protections for workers.
Since Governor Shapiro took office, new apprenticeship programs have been established within the agriculture industry. The budget includes significant investments aimed at enhancing food security and supporting farmers through programs like the State Food Purchase Program and Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS).
Phil McClay from Leidy’s Premium Meats highlighted Jose Maderas’ contributions: “Jose continually looks for areas where we can make improvements to our process that enhance efficiencies.” Sarah Zost from Bonnie Brae praised Ponce Cruz for his long-term dedication: “He knows all the ins and outs of trimming, thinning, picking, and planting.” Mikel Grimm from Adams County Nursery commended Wilson Garcia Deras for his leadership qualities: “Wilson has quickly risen to become a respected leader among his peers.”
For more information on Pennsylvania’s agricultural initiatives under Governor Shapiro’s administration or details about the 2025-26 budget, visit pacast.com.
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