Chester County Commissioners Appoint Melissa Harrop to New AgConnect Communications Role

WEST CHESTER, PA - September 5, 2024 - Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe announce the appointment of Melissa Harrop as AgConnect Communications Coordinator for Chester County. This newly-created position supports the restructured Chester County AgConnect Partnership between Chester County Government and the Chester County Economic Development Council that carries out the recommended actions of the County's Ag Economic Development Strategic Plan.

In this new role, Harrop will focus on promoting the importance of farming and agriculture to the community; training, financing, and resources for farmers and agricultural businesses; and ag workforce development.

In a joint statement, Commissioners Maxwell, Moskowitz, and Roe said, "As the second largest industry in Chester County, agriculture is an essential part of our landscape and economy. Restructuring AgConnect has broadened and strengthened our focus on this, by bringing more resources to farmers and agricultural businesses, and promoting the significance - and value - of farming to our residents and visitors. Having someone dedicated to communicating this is key.

"Melissa brings communications expertise and a deep passion for farming to this new role, and we are thrilled to have her join us."

In addition to promoting Chester County's agricultural industry as the AgConnect Communications Coordinator, Harrop will begin by creating an AgConnect website and social media presence, will produce the annual Chester County Farm Guide, and coordinate the Chester County Farmer of the Year and Distinguished Service to Agriculture awards.

Before joining Chester County, Harrop was the Special Sections/Markets Editor for Lancaster Farming. She and her husband also own Meadow Creek Livestock, LLC in Glenmoore, where she does everything from bookkeeping and social media to maintaining livestock feeding, health, and husbandry.

Harrop has been part of the Chester/Delaware County Farm Bureau for nearly ten years, serving in multiple positions to help guide and promote agriculture, including as a member of the Board of Directors and the PA Farm Bureau Ag Promotion Committee. She also serves as a director of the Chester County Extension Council and is a graduate of Penn State Extension's Pennsylvania Rural-Urban Leadership Program.

Harrop served in the U.S. Army, has an Associates degree from the University of Northwestern Ohio in Agribusiness Management and Technology, and a Bachelors degree from Penn State University in Digital Journalism and Media.