April 21, 2011
Harrisburg, April 21, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank announced today that an additional 158 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $394,000. The funding was approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board.
“These funds are a significant lifeline to many family farms throughout Pennsylvania,” Schwank said. “By preserving this farmland, these families will be able to continue building on the success of their agriculture efforts.”
According to Senator Schwank, a Preservation Board member, the following farms will be preserved:
- Bethany Children’s Home in Heidelberg Township will have 113.5 acres of farmland preserved.
- Terry and Sue Kunkel in Albany Township will have 44.1 acres of farmland preserved.
Senator Schwank added that, in Berks County, 627 farms consisting of 63,716 acres have been preserved. Berks has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
“There is a wide array of agricultural products being grown in Berks County and agribusiness is an economic and employment driver in the region,” Schwank said. “Conservation easements are investments that ensure that area farms continue to flourish.”
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE).
An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture. Statewide 4,157 farms totaling 450,525 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception.
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April 13, 2011
HARRISBURG, April 13, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank will serve as Democratic Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Democratic Leaders announced today.
Schwank, who was sworn in last week to complete the term of the late Senator Michael O’Pake, said the committee is an opportunity to continue to boost Pennsylvania’s largest industry.
“I am pleased to chair this very important committee,” Schwank said. “Agriculture is so very critical to Pennsylvania’s economy with approximately $6.1 billion in annual revenue. I will continue to foster initiatives that invest in agriculture and boost economic development and stability in Pennsylvania’s rural communities.”
Senator Schwank has a long history of agriculture experience. She received her B.S. and M.Ed. in agricultural education from Penn State University. Schwank then worked as a Berks County horticultural agent with the Penn State Cooperative Extension for 19 years, during which time she established the Master Gardener Program. In 1991, she became the first female director of the Berks County Cooperative Extension Program, a position she held until 1999. In January 2010, she was appointed Dean of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Delaware Valley College.
“In the midst of such financial difficulties, it is imperative that we continue to consider new and innovative ways to enhance agriculture in the state,” Schwank said. “It is also imperative that we continue to protect our food sources and our citizens with strict food inspection policies and regulations.”
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, (D-Allegheny), said Schwank brings a magnitude of knowledge and experience to the committee.
“Senator Schwank has had a long career in the agriculture industry which gives her a unique perspective into the needs of Pennsylvania,” Costa said. “Her leadership will help create new opportunities to boost agricultural economic development and ensure the protection of the health and safety of Pennsylvania citizens through smart food inspection policies.”
Schwank will also serve on the Senate Aging & Youth, Public Health & Welfare, Local Government and Intergovernmental Affairs committees.
“These diverse committee assignments will provide me added opportunities to assist the citizens of Berks County and throughout Pennsylvania,” Schwank said. “I am looking forward to the challenges of each committee.”
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April 5, 2011
Harrisburg, April 5, 2011 – Calling job creation and educational opportunity fundamental needs that Pennsylvania must meet for its future success, Judy Schwank (D- Berks) was sworn into office today as state Senator for the 11th District.
“We know the serious challenges facing our region and Pennsylvania,” Schwank said. “Fortunately, people here also have the character not to be daunted by them, and to recognize that very real opportunities lie ahead for us as well.
“We have to be prepared for both. Tearing out a solid foundation is the wrong way to start putting your house in order.”
Senator Schwank, who will be the Democratic chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee, said she will use her experience as a leader in agriculture, government and the non-profit and academic realms to work with members on both sides of the aisle to recreate a Pennsylvania government that is leaner, more efficient and more effective.
After being sworn in by Rabbi Minna Bromberg of Kesher Zion Synagogue in Reading, in front of an audience that included more than 100 supporters who caravanned by car and bus to Harrisburg, Schwank said her predecessor, the late Senator Mike O’Pake, set the gold standard during nearly 40 years representing the district.
“It is both an honor and a humbling experience to succeed Mike,” Schwank said. “He always placed his trust in voters, and he always concerned himself with working productively in a bipartisan fashion. Those are priorities we shared and which I will follow.
“Berks County voters want their concerns to be heard and addressed in Harrisburg. They are not interested in petty political goals because their needs and dreams are real, not political.”
A resident of Fleetwood with her husband, Jim, Schwank said she also will focus on legislative and property tax reform.
Schwank won a special election on March 15 to serve the remainder of the four-year term of O’Pake, who died in December.
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March 18, 2011
Yesterday, several Senate Democrats joined students from the state System of Higher Education who traveled by bus and by foot to rally at the Capitol against Governor Corbett’s proposed cuts to higher education. The 50 percent cut in state funding could mean layoffs, higher tuition, and fewer programs.
