A Hub for Agribusiness Success
Cumberland Valley is within a three-hour drive of Washington DC, Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and supports a growing food and beverage industry. It is also one of the fastest growing county in Pennsylvania. Our strategic location, abundant and fertile farmland, a skilled workforce, and comprehensive infrastructure gets your products to market quickly and at a reasonable cost. View agribusiness and food processing loans to get your project started.
Strategically Located in the Heart of South Central Pennsylvania
- Access to five major ports (Philadelphia, Newark, Baltimore, New York, Newport)
- Highway connections via Interstate 81, I-83, I-76 and US 11/15 puts Cumberland Valley within 12 hours of Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Richmond, Baltimore and Columbus
- Access to air travel and rail systems
- Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Capital, is located directly across the Susquehanna River that runs along the east shore of Cumberland Valley
Farming & Industry Overview
- 42% of the county is zoned for agriculture use, currently supporting 1,186 working farms (146,000 acres)
- 67% of the county contains Class 1-3 soil
- Of 67 counties in Pennsylvania, Cumberland County remains in the top 10 for the value of its agriculture products
- Over 70 food and beverage production companies
- Over $300 million in agricultural sales (2022 update)
Source: USDA NASS 2022 Census of Agriculture and PA Department of Labor & Industry
Assets for Growth
- Soil rich in nutrients and ideal flat topography
- Excellent water supply with ample access and quality
- Proximity of supplies including equipment dealers, seed, fertilizer, greenhouse and related suppliers
- Ease of access to technical support
- Government agriculture agencies and advocacy groups
- Commitment to sustainable practices including biological pest management, drip/trickle irrigation and soil and plant tissue testing
- Prominent produce auctions
- Local buying programs with national grocers such as Giant, Weis, Wegmans and Wal-Mart
Let’s Talk
Have questions or need more information? Send us an email.
Greg Welker
Economic Development Director
Notable Agribusinesses & Food Processing Facilities
- Cargill
- Reykjavik Creamery (Dairy Processing)
- Nestle Purina Pet Care Co. (Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing)
- Schreiber Foods (Cheese and Yogurt Manufacturing)
- Land O’ Lakes Inc. (Milk Processing)
- ADM Milling Co. (Flour Milling)
- Terranettis Italian Bakery (Commercial Baking)
- Bimbo Bakeries (Commercial Baking)
- Toigo Orchards (Certified Organic Tomato Production)
- Lindt (Retail Outlet and Distribution Center)
- Dairy Farmers of America (Manufacturer of Cheese, Butter and Dairy Ingredients, and Contract Manufacturer for Consumer Products)
Find a Site
View available buildings and sites in Cumberland County, PA. Compare sites and view their details.
Find a SiteFood & Agribusiness Resources
View CAEDC’s wide variety of loans and grant programs to meet your specific project needs. CAEDC staff can assist with guiding you to the right financing solution.
Top Commodity Groups by Value of Sales
Source: USDA NASS 2022 Census of Agriculture
Commodity
Sales
Milk from Cows
$111,116,000 (6th in the state)
Grains, Oilseeds, Dry Beans and Dry Peas
$54,864,000 (5th in the state)
Cattle and Calves
$28,554,000 (5th in state)
Poultry and Eggs
$60,107,000 (13th in state)
Hogs and Pigs
$13,716,000 (16th in state)
Farm Preservation in Cumberland Valley PA
