State officials stopped by a dairy farm just over the Lebanon County line in Berks County, touting apprenticeships they say are the future of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Labor and Industry Secretary Nancy Walker stopped by the Zahncroft Dairy near Myerstown.

There, they showcased Dairy Herd Manager Apprentices.

“Apprenticeships are critical opportunities to get hands-on, real-world experience with the enticement of earning while you learn,” Redding said. “They are just one part of the Shapiro Administration’s comprehensive strategy to keep our agriculture industry a national leader by investing in opportunities for everyone to succeed in the field that is key to Pennsylvania’s future.”

The Center for Dairy Excellence sponsors the apprenticeships and Farm Labor Pre-apprentices, all of which are registered with the Apprenticeship and Training Office of the Department of Labor and Industry.

“We were excited to engage with the Dairy Herd Apprenticeship program to help Kristina hone her skills,” Zahncroft Dairy Co-owner Katie Sattazahn said. “The combination of hands-on learning combined with the outside learning opportunities strengthens our operation and gives Kristina more perspective about PA’s dairy industry.”

Zahncroft Dairy is a family-owned farm that has been in the Sattazahn family since the 1930s. The farm has 270 Holsteins and Brown Swiss cows and averages 92 pounds of milk per cow per day.

“Apprenticeship programs open doors for all Pennsylvanians by offering meaningful career pathways without the burden of debt,” said Walker. “Through collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, this program is a direct response to the workforce needs of the dairy industry. It is a commitment to workers and their families, our farmers, and a win for Pennsylvania’s evolving economy.”

Pennsylvania has the second largest number of dairy farms in the U.S. and is ranked eighth nationally in milk production. The Pennsylvania dairy industry provides more than 47,000 jobs and supports our state economy to the tune of $11.8 billion annually. Pennsylvania continues to be a national leader in production of ice cream, butter, and Swiss cheese.

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