AgWorks: Project Team and Partners

From 2025 to 2027, Penn State Extension and the Penn State Agricultural Law Center 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.

Learn more about the AgWorks project and register to participate.

Project Team

AgWorks is led by a dynamic team of educators, researchers, legal experts, and consultants committed to strengthening Pennsylvania’s agricultural workforce.

• Dr. Suzanna Windon, Associate Professor of Leadership, Penn State, leads the project with expertise in organizational leadership, strategic communication, and farm resilience.
• Cher Harpster, Educator, Penn State Extension, specializes in workforce development and connecting agricultural employers to workforce systems.
• Linda Falcone, Educator, Penn State Extension, brings experience in hiring, retention, and business development.
• Dr. Florence Becot, Agricultural Safety and Health Program Lead, Penn State Extension, focuses on the well-being and economic viability of farm families.
• Linda Fetzer, Educator, Penn State Extension, delivers training in worker protection and on-farm safety through national initiatives.
• Paula Ledney, Program Specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, provides financial planning, record keeping, budgeting, and decision-making education to our stakeholders.
• Jodi Gauker, Business Development Educator, Penn State Extension, combines practical farm experience with workforce training and agribusiness leadership.
• Ross Pifer, Director, Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, provides expertise in agricultural labor and legal education.
• Brook Duer, Staff Attorney, Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, conducts legal research, communication, and outreach in agricultural law.
• Audry Thompson, Staff Attorney, Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, conducts legal research, communication, and outreach in agricultural law. Audry writes the Agricultural Law Weekly.
• Jackie Schweichler, Staff Attorney, Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, conducts research on agricultural and energy law.
• Becky Dreese, Owner of ThriveHR, brings over 30 years of Human Resource (HR) experience, offering tailored HR consulting services for farmers and agribusinesses.

This team ensures the project is grounded in practical experience, legal expertise, and strategic training to meet the evolving needs of Pennsylvania’s agricultural workforce.

Key Project Partners

Penn State Extension plays a central role in this project, leveraging its trusted relationships with agribusinesses across the region to deliver tailored workforce solutions. Our collaborative team brings deep expertise and statewide reach to support Pennsylvania’s agricultural workforce.

• Workforce Systems Consultant – Co-PI with 8 years of experience connecting employers to workforce services through PA CareerLink®.
• Leadership & Community Vitality Team – Specialists in workforce retention, economic development, and farm leadership.
• Ag Entrepreneurship & Marketing Team – Advises on compensation, recordkeeping, benefits, transition planning, and taxes.
• Ag Safety & Health Team – Provides on-farm safety training and worker protection services.
• Penn State Extension – Offers statewide access to experts in agriculture, business, leadership, and family systems.
• Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law – Delivers legal guidance education on employment and ag-specific regulations of the employer-employee relationship.
• ThriveHR Consulting – Offers HR compliance support and one-on-one consulting.
• Spanish Language Services – Brings decades of experience in farm management and bilingual business advising.
• Multimedia Services – Produces high-quality training and outreach videos.
• Partner Organizations – Expand consulting capacity and bring specialized knowledge to support the project.

Events Where We Are Presenting in 2025-2026

• Ag Progress Days – August 12-14, 2025, Pennsylvania Furnace
• PA State Grange Meeting – October 16-19, 2025, Williamsport
• PA Farm Bureau Conference – November 2025, Hershey
• Keystone Farm Show – January 6-8, 2026, York
• PA Farm Show – January 10-17, 2026, Harrisburg
• PA Dairy Summit – February 2026, State College
• PASA Sustainable Agriculture Conference – February 4-6, 2026, Lancaster
• PennAg Expo – March 2026, Lebanon Valley

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.