Agricultural Safety and Health

Joni helps agricultural producers and their employees understand and comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Worker Protection Standard (WPS). The program places special emphasis on Plain Sect communities throughout the state and migrant and immigrant farm workers.

Joni offers technical and compliance assistance through:

• on-site visits to farms, orchards, greenhouses, and nurseries;
• presentations at agricultural producer meetings and conferences; and
• the development of safety training materials.

Before joining PORH, Joni worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, most recently at the Department of Agriculture on the Spotted Lanternfly team where she provided compliance assistance to businesses within quarantine areas.  She also was a Law Enforcement Ranger for State Parks with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  These positions allowed Joni to develop strong communication skills and the passion for helping people.

Joni earned a B.S. in Horticulture and Landscape Contracting from Penn State.  She and her husband live in Clearfield and have four adult children.

Linda has been an Extension Associate through Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences since 2001. She is responsible for project management of the PA AgrAbility Project, coordination of the Northeast Ag Safety and Health Coalition through the Northeast Center, and participates in outreach, evaluation and social media for the Worker Protection Standard through PA Office of Rural Health, Safety in Agriculture for Youth (SAY) Project and Penn State Ag Safety and Health Program.

Linda holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Messiah College, and a master’s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education from Penn State. She lives on a farm in Centre Hall, PA with her husband and son.