Kristin's Corner

In this episode, we sit down with Leah Flinchbaugh, Pennsylvania’s State FFA Secretary, to talk about agriculture in the commonwealth and the role young leaders play in shaping its future.

Leah shares her personal path into agriculture, what it’s really like to represent FFA members across Pennsylvania, and what she’s seeing as she travels the state engaging with students, chapters, and communities. We discuss how agriculture today extends far beyond farming, the importance of ag education and leadership development, and why programs like FFA remain critical to Pennsylvania’s economy and rural communities.

Recorded live from the Pennsylvania Farm Show, this episode of Kristin’s Corner celebrates the strength of Pennsylvania agriculture while taking a deeper look at what it will take to protect it for generations to come.

Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding discuss why farmland preservation matters, how agriculture shapes our economy and food security, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for farmers across the commonwealth.

From responsible land use and development to maintaining trust in preservation programs, this conversation is about honoring our agricultural heritage while building a strong future for Pennsylvania agriculture.

When government projects require land, the conversation usually stops at the appraised value. But for preserved farmland and local businesses, what’s at stake goes far beyond the price of the property.

In this episode, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) discusses her legislation to ensure that when preserved farmland is taken through eminent domain, taxpayers and farm families are made whole for the long-term investment placed in that land. Sen. Cris Dush (R-Cameron, Centre, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter) outlines his legislation to recognize the loss of goodwill - the customer base, reputation, and operational value that businesses lose when forced to relocate.

Together, they highlight a simple point: a farm is not just acreage, and a business is not just a building. Both hold value that deserves to be recognized.

Pennsylvania is facing increasing competition from other states and countries in the race for economic development. To retain current residents and attract new ones, along with jobs and opportunities, Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) is co-chairing the Competitiveness Caucus. This bicameral and bipartisan group within the Pennsylvania General Assembly is focused on strengthening the Commonwealth’s long-term economic competitiveness.

Joining her on the podcast is Alex Halper, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Together, they discuss how Pennsylvania can build on recent momentum, particularly following the passage of commonsense permitting reform through the “SPEED” program, to retain existing employers and attract new ones. Their conversation explores how these efforts can help make the Commonwealth a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Learn more: https://competitiveness.pasenategop.com/

York County’s trails connect communities, boost local economies, and honor our history. In this episode, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) sits down with Gwen Loose and Frank Kempf from the York County Rail Trail Authority to talk about the big vision behind projects like the Hanover Trolley Trail and the Heritage Rail Trail. From preserving old trolley lines to sparking new growth in local towns, learn how these trails are shaping the future of York County while keeping its past alive.