Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) to reintroduce the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06) and Dan Meuser (R-PA-09) introduced a companion bill in the United States House of Representatives.
“Pennsylvania is the mushroom capital of the world, and our mushroom farmers deserve access to the same insurance as so many other producers – that’s just common sense,” said Senator Fetterman. “I’m grateful that Congressman Thompson and Senator Stabenow included this bill in their proposals for the Farm Bill last year. Now, it’s time to finally pass this legislation and give Pennsylvania farmers the coverage they need.”
The bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study on offering federally-backed crop insurance specifically for mushroom farms, which face threats like inclement weather or pests uniquely harmful to mushrooms. Upon the completion of a study showing the efficacy of a new crop insurance product, the USDA has the authority to begin offering it immediately to farmers. Nearly half of the mushrooms grown in the United States are farmed in Chester County, PA, and the industry has an economic benefit of $1.3 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy. More than 9,000 jobs in the Commonwealth are supported by mushroom farms.
“Many people might be unaware that the mushroom capitol of the world is Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, employing nearly 10,000 people and contributing nearly $3 billion to the local economy,” said Senator McCormick. “USDA’s crop insurance program should be available to all farmers, and I’m hopeful that this yearlong study yields much needed coverage to protect Pennsylvania’s mushroom farmers. I look forward to working on this and other agriculture initiatives with my PA colleagues in the House and the Senate.”
“Every time that I speak with mushroom farmers in Chester and Berks Counties, they tell me about the unique threats that they face,” said Congresswoman Houlahan. “Pests like the Mushroom Phorid fly, and the Mushroom Sciarid Fly are only found in mushroom houses, and the fungal pathogens they can carry destroy entire crops. It is time that the federal government step up to ensure our farms are protected and can be passed down to the next generation.”
“Pennsylvania leads the nation in mushroom production, with family-owned mushroom farms supporting more than 9,000 jobs and contributing more than $1.1 billion to our state’s economy,” said Congressman Meuser. “It’s essential that our family farms have access to the protections they need against potential threats to their crops, including the ability to secure crop insurance for unforeseen challenges. This legislation takes a responsible step toward evaluating how expanding crop insurance to mushroom farmers could strengthen their long-term viability.”
“The mushroom industry is grateful to our Pennsylvania legislators for the reintroduction of this Act to give mushroom growers, nationwide, access to an important tool they need in their toolbox for the competitiveness and survival of wholly domestically produced fresh mushrooms in the United States,” said American Mushroom President Rachel Roberts. “This bipartisan group is committed to this industry, which is committed to this country’s agricultural legacy.”
As a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Senator Fetterman has consistently worked to support Pennsylvania’s mushroom farmers. In June 2024, he led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) highlighting the concerns of organic mushroom farmers in response to a new proposed standard for organic mushrooms. Senator Fetterman previously introduced the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act last Congress alongside Senator Casey, Rep. Houlahan, and Rep. Meuser, and the legislation was included in last year’s House and Senate Farm Bill proposals.
