Right On Schedule:  Berks County kicks off study for agricultural economic impact and strategic action plan as part of Year 2 Implementation of IMAGINE Berks

In the IMAGINE Berks plan, agriculture is identified as a critical industry in Berks County, and supporting agri-business industry growth is an identified goal.  As we thought more about how to further define this goal and its corresponding action steps, we knew we had to define its impact on the County.  But being able to quantify that impact at a local level is challenging.  So, what was next?

Identified in IMAGINE Berks in the role of facilitator, the County’s Department of Agriculture is taking the lead and partnering with ACDS, LLC (Agricultural and Community Development Services) to outline and define agriculture’s economic impact in Berks County. That information will be used to develop a strategic action plan for the County and its partners to support the agricultural industry. The study will include analysis of existing data and extensive efforts to fully capture the depth and breadth of the industry via interviews and focus group discussions with those in agriculture and related industries.

Look for more updates on the study and its progress here at IMAGINE Berks.org and on the Department of Agriculture’s web page County of Berks – Agriculture.

Questions?  Feel free to contact the Berks County Department of Agriculture at DeptofAg@countyofberks.com or 610-378-1844.