June 10, 2025

Dear Representative,

On behalf of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, I write to express our opposition to House Bill 1549, which proposes regionally tiered increases to Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. This legislation poses serious concerns for small farms and agricultural operations across the state.

Many of Pennsylvania’s farms operate with extremely tight margins. Labor costs already account for a significant portion of farm expenses, and further mandated increases-particularly on a timeline that does not reflect local market conditions or farm profitability-could result in unsustainable financial pressure. For small farms, especially in the state’s rural counties, these changes could mean reducing their workforce, limiting production, or ultimately going out of business.

We understand the intent behind House Bill 1549 but respectfully caution that a one-size-fits-all approach to wage mandates-even when tiered-does not account for the unique economic realities of agriculture. We urge the General Assembly to vote no on House Bill 1549.

Respectfully,

Mitchell Kurek

State and Local Affairs Specialist, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau