Congressman Meuser Hosts Agriculture Roundtable in Myerstown with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins

April 14, 2025

MYERSTOWN, PA – Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) welcomed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to a family-owned dairy farm in Myerstown, Pennsylvania for a roundtable discussion with farmers and agricultural leaders from across the commonwealth. He was joined by Senator Dave McCormick (PA), Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and Congressman Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), who all participated in the discussion and tour. Congressman Meuser joined Secretary Rollins on several other stops in Lebanon County and South-Central Pennsylvania throughout the day.

The visit included a tour of the dairy operation, which uses innovative robotic milking systems and produces over 5 million pounds of milk annually, before convening a roundtable with farmers, including members of the Amish Community, representing Pennsylvania’s diverse agriculture economy. Secretary Rollins and congressional leaders heard directly from local producers on key challenges and opportunities facing agriculture in the region, including overregulation, risk management, generational farm transitions, trade access, and nutrition programs.

“This event was about listening and taking action,” said Congressman Meuser. “We’re working closely with Secretary Rollins and our congressional partners to advance President Trump’s agenda to benefit farmers and rural America—whether that means restoring market access, reducing unnecessary regulations, preventing increased taxes, strengthening risk management tools, or supporting nutrition and food security programs. Agriculture plays a central role in Pennsylvania’s economy and way of life, and these conversations ensure we’re delivering real results for the people who feed our nation.”

Secretary Rollins reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to putting farmers at the center of national policy. She highlighted USDA’s efforts to accelerate relief funding, improve the agricultural labor system, and streamline burdensome paperwork and federal regulations—particularly for small and family-owned farms. Rollins also discussed expanding export opportunities and emphasized that food security is national security.

Among the priorities discussed were:

Preserving and supporting small farms through smarter regulation and flexible USDA services
Protecting and expanding agricultural export markets, including potatoes and dairy, among other commodities
Ensuring continued investment in crop insurance and livestock risk protection programs
Improving the H-2A agricultural workforce system to meet labor shortages
Supporting nutrition programs and partnerships with local food banks
Advocating for the return of whole milk in schools
Advancing dairy pricing reform and long-term farm sustainability

The meeting began with a prayer from FFA Chaplain Jaclyn Martin and included dairy products provided by Way-Har Farms.

Participants in the roundtable included:

Secretary Brooke Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Senator Dave McCormick, U.S. Senate (PA)
Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, Chairman, House Agriculture Committee
Congressman Rob Bresnahan (PA-08)
Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09)
State Senator Chris Gebhard (PA-48)
Jerry Musser, Triple M Farms
Chris Barry, Barry Farms
Chase Hogeland, Director, PA Potato Growers Association
Nathan Tallman, Executive Director, PA Potato Growers Association
Corey McCleas, President, PA Apple Producers
Dr. Douglas Scipioni, Agricultural Veterinary Associates
Darwin Nissley, President, PA Cattlemen’s Association
Rachel Roberts, President, American Mushroom Institute
Levi Zook, Organic Dairy Producer
Ephraim Stoltzfus, Organic Dairy Producer
Jacob Stoltzfus, Dairy Farmer
William Lesher, Way-Har Farms
Chris Hoffman, President, PA Farm Bureau
David Smith, Horizon Farm Credit

Secretary Rollins also emphasized the importance of events like today’s roundtable in helping USDA leadership shape responsive, effective policies. She noted that the best solutions come from direct engagement with producers, and that hearing from farmers on the ground is essential to building programs that truly support their success.

Prior to the roundtable, the Secretary and Members of Congress toured Bell & Evans, an innovative and respected leader in the poultry industry. During the tour in Fredericksburg, the group discussed challenges facing the poultry industry and heard directly from the Sechler family about efforts to prevent and contain avian flu outbreaks.

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