As Pennsylvania celebrates the 109th Farm Show this week and embraces our rich history in farming, this year’s theme of “Powering Pennsylvania” emphasizes how the Commonwealth’s robust energy and agriculture sectors are inextricably linked.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the country and showcases the diversity and innovation of Pennsylvania’s agricultural sector. While farmers and producers display their latest crops, livestock and innovative products, there’s another key player behind the scenes propelling the growth of this industry: natural gas.
Natural gas and agriculture work hand in hand in many impactful ways, and the Farm Show provides a firsthand look at how they work in tandem to sustainably feed, power and move Pennsylvania forward.
For example, natural gas plays a critical role in fertilizer production, with approximately 80% of the energy used in its manufacture coming from this Pennsylvania-produced resource. Hydrogen from natural gas is essential to increasing crop yields and supporting more efficient farming operations. What’s more, agriculture alone accounts for ~15% of commercial and industrial natural gas consumption, underscoring its pivotal role in supporting Pennsylvania’s farmers.
And while Pennsylvania’s harsh winters can be tough on crops and livestock, natural gas provides a reliable, cost-effective solution for heating greenhouses and barns. This ensures plants planted early in the season can stay warm and livestock are able to thrive year-round.
More, this dependable energy source extends far beyond heating facilities, playing a critical role in other aspects of day-to-day farm operations.
Natural gas also powers irrigation systems that ensure crops receive the necessary water, even during dry spells. By fueling water pumps essential for maintaining farm operations, it helps farmers manage water distribution efficiently, supporting crop health and boosting productivity across the agricultural sector.
All these operational and cost benefits are in addition to the billions in royalties from natural gas production paid to private landowners and government entities from the natural gas sector, further illustrating the significant benefits natural gas brings to the agriculture industry. These royalties help support farmers and landowners, providing a crucial income stream that can be reinvested into farming operations, infrastructure and land management, enhancing the economic sustainability of the agriculture sector.
The industry is also helping advance the latest innovations in sustainable farming practices. For example, an increasing number of farm vehicles and equipment, such as tractors, trucks and even generators, are turning to compressed natural gas (CNG) for fueling. These energy-efficient solutions reduce both costs and the environmental impact of traditional diesel-powered equipment. This year’s Farm Show features a tractor that runs on methane from biodigesters or CNG, a first in the United States.
“The viability of our ag sector is reliant upon access to abundant and affordable energy resources,” as Congressman GT Thompson wrote.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the partnership between the natural gas and agriculture industries will only grow stronger, helping Pennsylvania farmers thrive while feeding the nation for generations to come.
