Agriculture in the spotlight

Rep. Tim Brennan January 14, 2026

PA Representative Tim Brennan banner image

Dear Neighbor,

This weekend, I attended the opening day of the 110th Pennsylvania Farm Show. As always there was great food, entertainment and people, including Russell Redding, Secretary of the PA Department of Agriculture -- more details are in the first story below.

Secretary Redding testified this morning at a joint meeting of the House & Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs committees, where the topic was "Cultivating Wellness: Supporting Farmers Through the Mental Health Crisis." Below is an excerpt of his testimony:

"Whether farmers are at the beginning of their journey, or have been farming for generations, farming does not come with an instruction manual – however, it does come with tremendous expectations, pressure, and volatility. These factors shape Pennsylvania farmers, both seasoned and new alike, to be resilient, innovative, and community driven, but they also bring levels of stress and anxiety not seen in other lines of work.

Farming never stops. There is a culture of grit and toughness, and fierce independence, coupled with societal stigma, that deter people asking for help. Rural communities often lack health care resources, particularly mental health professionals. Farm margins have tightened, input cost have risen while land prices have increased. Unprecedented weather-related incidents and climate disasters are occurring at a record pace and scale. Recent events like the federal government shutdown, high inflation, labor shortages, immigration pressures, and tariffs have amplified these issues - changing markets and upsetting what little predictability farmers have.

...

While the situation is alarming, we collectively can help our farmers cultivate a better tomorrow through actions, partnerships, advocacy, and investments. This year’s state budget builds out additional resources for rural and mental health, offers investments in agriculture, and supports working families. Each of these takes some of that stress and pressure off our farmers and builds infrastructure to support healthy rural communities."

Governor Shapiro has prioritized agriculture as a central pillar to the state’s economic development strategy, and as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I look forward to hearing from Secretary Redding and his department on this and other matters in our upcoming budget hearings.

Sincerely,

Harrisburg Update

The PA Farm Show is underway!

This year's theme, Growing A Nation, touches on how Pennsylvania is a national leader in agriculture and it is our largest industry in terms of economic impact. The industry is also eighth in total employment in the Commonwealth. As a legislator and as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I continue to advocate for the industry and for the preservation of more agriculture land. This was the first of several days of fun in Harrisburg, I hope you can get out to visit! It runs through this Saturday, Jan. 17 -- click here for all the details.

PA grants $800,000 to Solebury Quarry project

Solebury Township has been awarded an $800,000 grant by the PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources toward the purchase of the former New Hope Crushed Stone property on Phillips Mill Road in Solebury Township.

The Township purchased the 166-acre property with its 60-acre lake in 2025 at a purchase price of $3,200,000 and created an innovative partnership with Solebury School, which obtained a non-exclusive easement for trail and eventual water access to offset the purchase price. The purchase price, offset by Solebury School’s easement purchase, reduced the Township’s net cost to $1.6M.

The Solebury Quarry project is a testament to uncommon valor in local planning and government. It reflects creativity, strong stewardship of the environment and local resources, as well as partnerships between state, local, and nonprofit organizations. Together, these efforts are transforming what had been a long-standing challenge into a natural public resource that will improve the lives of residents for generations.

Good local government too often goes unnoticed, which makes me even more proud that the Commonwealth is supporting this project. Securing state support is a win for our community’s future and an acknowledgment of the vision and leadership of Solebury Township, The Solebury School, and my colleague Senator Steve Santarsiero.

The Solebury Quarry project presents a unique and exciting opportunity to create a natural and welcoming space for the entire community to enjoy. This grant from DCNR brings us one step closer to making that vision a reality.

“These funds will help accelerate the development of this unique property that has the potential to become an important local and regional recreation asset,” said Solebury Board of Supervisors Chair Mark Baum Baicker. "We are so appreciative that DCNR recognized this and generously awarded us this grant. I want to specially thank Representative Tim Brennan and Senator Steve Santarsiero for their support in this process and our Township Manager, Chris Garges, for all the work he did in pursuing this grant.” Click here to see the township's press release.

Welcoming Iona & Joan MacDonald

It was a pleasure to have Iona MacDonald, a senior at New Hope-Solebury High School, join us this month as a guest page in the PA House chamber. She is a leader in the school's Environmental Club and a formidable competitor in the school speech and debate team – with a front-row seat to democracy in action on the state House floor, she may have been quietly grading our delivery and probably spotting some opportunities for coaching. ??

Her mother, Joan Ramage MacDonald, joined us for an exciting day and a full tour of the Capitol Building. It was an exceptional time to visit, with carolers, holiday decorations and wonderful spirits!

In the District

Checking in with PennDOT

I met recently with PennDOT Region 6 Director Din Abazi to discuss local transportation priorities, including staffing challenges, funding, and maintenance practices across our region. We also received updates on planned construction projects, including repairs to State Street and Cold Spring Creamery Road, as well as the urgency of addressing the 611/202 bypass.

We toured the Southeastern Regional Traffic Management Center and got an inside look at how real-time data and coordination help keep traffic moving safely and efficiently every day.

Meanwhile, I am always pleased to see smaller-scale maintenance and repair needs being addressed, including this much-needed patch on Swamp Road near Maple Avenue in Doylestown that was completed this week.

I want to recognize the hard work of PennDOT’s maintenance crews who are out in all conditions keeping our roads and bridges safe. Their dedication makes a real difference for our communities — and while there is still more work ahead, I appreciate their continued commitment to improving our transportation network.

Supporting the “Weddings & Wills for Heroes” program

During the holiday break, I was proud to join my colleague Rep. Brian Munroe in presenting state grant funding to the Bucks County Register of Wills Office to support its Weddings and Wills for Heroes program.

This funding will help the program continue providing free estate planning and wedding/vow renewal ceremonies for first responders, veterans, and their spouses. I also want to recognize Linda Bobrin, outgoing Register of Wills (and now Judge Bobrin), for her role in supporting this program.

Celebrating these milestones brings joy to so many, and is made possible by generous local businesses and community members.

The next Vows and Valentines ceremony will be held on February 13 - couples interested in a free wedding or vow renewal can sign up by February 2. Details and registration are available through the Register of Wills office.

Update from the Delaware Canal State Park Committee

There was another productive meeting of the Delaware Canal State Park Advisory Committee this month. Kelly from my staff was glad to journey to the National Canal Museum in Easton where DCNR, municipal leaders, and Friends of the Delaware Canal shared updates on construction projects and long-term management plans for one of our favorite state parks.

We celebrated recent successes, including the completion of the Lumberville Aqueduct following Hurricane Ida damage, and the reopening of the towpath.

We also discussed how we’re addressing ongoing challenges, such as vegetation management (mitigation and eradication studies are underway!) and infrastructure and bridge construction schedules, all with an eye toward achieving consistent water flow in the canal.

The committee marked an important transition as longtime chair Susan Taylor handed the gavel to new chair Michael Ginder. Thank you, Susan, for your years of dedication and leadership in building such a strong organization for Michael to carry forward. And thanks to all the workers and volunteers who keep our Delaware Canal State Park such a special place to enjoy!

Discussing the future of independent colleges at Ursinus

I had a chance recently to sit down at my alma mater, Ursinus College, with two of my fellow representatives, Rep. Joe Webster and Rep. Steve Malagari, to talk about the issues facing small independent colleges in our region.

We talked about the changing dynamics of student populations and how it affects these schools, including by requiring more flexibility in attendance and delivery of curriculum.

Even more important, we talked about preparing students for a 21st-century economy that often times finds starting positions few and far between and in which basic skills and information are rapidly changing on a month-to-month basis.

This requires versatility in educating our next generation of college students to think for themselves and to adapt. Building those skills and an intellectual curiosity is going to be even more important in our new economy. We also specifically talked about Ursinus' APEX program, which focuses on experiential learning by exposing students to real world experience as a foundation of their instruction.

FYI

Applications for the Summer 2026 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program are now being accepted. The program is based in the Capitol Building in Harrisburg.

Fellows are assigned to work in House standing committees or House leadership offices, receive compensation (which may also include college credit), draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour Pennsylvania’s historic public spaces.

Applications are due by March 2, 2026. See the program website to apply.

Qualified applicants will be: 1) College undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or law school students; 2) Enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university, or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and 3) Pursuing any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

If you’re interested in this program, you’re welcome to call or email my office to let us know and request a letter of recommendation: (267) 884-0395 / RepBrennan@pahouse.net.

Who: Pennsylvania High School Seniors who are planning to attend an accredited Pennsylvania college or university for the 2026/2027 academic school year
What: Twenty-five $10,000 Scholarships will be awarded throughout America250PA’s six designated regions.
Where: Any Pennsylvania College or University
When: Apply by January 31, 2026

The PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency is accepting nominations for the annual Honorable John A. Zottola Mental Health and Justice Award through February 13, 2026.

In 2022, PCCD created the award in memory of Judge Zottola's dedication and commitment to serving justice-involved special populations. The award is to be bestowed annually upon someone who, in service to the courts, their community and special criminal justice populations, exhibits the same leadership, dedication and passion. Click here for more info & to submit a nomination.