Cumberland Valley features abundant and fertile farmland, with 43% of the county designated for agricultural use, supporting 1,100 working farms and over 146,000 acres of farmland. Residents and visitors relish the taste of locally grown produce, dairy products, and meats, which can be found at roadside stands, weekly farmers’ markets, and bakeries.
Beyond its tourism value, agribusiness and agritourism strengthen Cumberland County’s economic competitiveness. Businesses and talent increasingly look to communities that offer fresh, local food as key quality-of-life factors. These assets not only attract visitors but also retain residents, draw new investment, and support workforce recruitment.
See below for a variety of resources for your Agribusiness and Agritourism projects.
CAEDC Tourism Programs:
- CAEDC Tourism Programs Presentation
- Grant Writing Presentation
- Tourism Product Development, Tourism Partnership & Destination Sales Grant Programs
- Tourism Impact Sponsorship Program
- Tourism Infrastructure Loan Fund (TILF)
Contact information for each CAEDC Tourism Program can be found on the Program’s page.
PA Agriculture Business Development Center
Stephanie Shirk, Director
email: steshirk@pa.gov
phone: 717.307.3262
USDA Rural Development
Dethon Kistler, Loan Specialist
email: dethon.kistler@usda.gov
phone: 717.237.2284
Center for Plant Excellence
Miranda Harple, Interim Director
email: mharple@psu.edu
phone: 717.706.6036
Additional Agribusiness and Agritourism Resources
- DCED – Dairy Investment Program
- Horizon Farm Credit – Jump Start
- USDA – Farmers Market Promotion Program
- Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center – Dairy Grants & Contracts
- South Mountain Partnership – Mini Grant
