By Blake Jackson
The Shapiro Administration has recognized two outstanding contributors from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture with the Governor’s Awards for Excellence, honoring their exceptional service in improving food security, supporting farmers, and protecting the state’s livestock industry.
The recipients include Bureau of Food Assistance Director Caryn Long Earl and the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory (PVL) Immunology Team. Long Earl was recognized for expanding food assistance programs while creating stronger market opportunities for Pennsylvania farmers.
The PVL Immunology Team earned recognition for uncovering faulty bovine leukemia virus (BLV) diagnostic test kits that produced false-positive results, helping prevent significant financial losses for livestock producers nationwide.
“The people of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are the reason our agriculture industry remains one of the strongest in the nation. Caryn Long Earl and the Veterinary Laboratory Immunology Team represent the very best of public service, combining expertise, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to serving Pennsylvania farmers and families," Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said.
"Whether they’re helping deliver nutritious food to communities in need or protecting livestock producers from costly disease threats, their work makes a real difference every day. I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for their extraordinary dedication to the Commonwealth.”
Under Long Earl’s leadership, the department expanded food access through multiple federal and state initiatives. During the 2024–25 school year, more than $51.7 million in USDA Foods reached schools, childcare centers, and summer meal programs.
In 2025, her bureau also coordinated the delivery of over 34.5 million pounds of emergency food assistance valued at $43.3 million.
Programs including the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) and the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) have also strengthened local agriculture.
Since 2015, PASS has distributed more than 40.7 million pounds of Pennsylvania-grown food, while LFPA has invested over $28.4 million in locally produced food since 2022, benefiting hundreds of producers and thousands of distribution sites.
Meanwhile, the PVL Immunology Team identified defective BLV test kits through independent testing and collaboration with partner laboratories. Their efforts led to a nationwide recall, free retesting for affected producers, and increased confidence in Pennsylvania’s veterinary diagnostic system.
The Governor’s Awards for Excellence honored 83 employees from 17 state agencies for outstanding achievements in public service during 2025.
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Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy