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Pennsylvania Doubles Funding for Farm Vitality Grants

Pennsylvania farms benefit from increased funding for business planning.

News Summary

The Pennsylvania government has announced a significant increase in funding for the Pennsylvania Farm Vitality Grant program, doubling the maximum grant amount from $7,500 to $15,000. This funding supports farmers in strategic business planning and is designed to assist with ownership transitions, expansions, and diversifications. Since its inception, the program has awarded $2.8 million to 401 farms, showcasing its impact on local agriculture. Farmers can apply for the grants through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Pennsylvania has announced a significant increase in funding available through the Pennsylvania Farm Vitality Grant program, with the maximum grant amount now doubled from $7,500 to $15,000 for individual farmers. This funding is designed to support farmers in strategic business planning, effective immediately as of May 17.

The Farm Vitality Grants were established under the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Bill and are aimed at reimbursing farmers for up to 75% of their business planning costs. This includes costs associated with expanding, diversifying, or transferring ownership of their farms. To date, the initiative has awarded a total of $2.8 million to 401 farms across the state, highlighting its impact on local agriculture.

Approximately 60% of the grants have facilitated ownership transitions, directly benefiting 148 preserved farms throughout Pennsylvania. One of the farms that have benefited from this program is Jersey Acres Farms, located in Pine Grove and operated by the Heffner family. This particular farm received a $1,312 Farm Vitality Grant in 2024 to assist with its ownership transition. Additionally, Jersey Acres Farms was awarded a $100,000 Agricultural Innovation Grant to implement robotic milkers, showcasing the complementary nature of these funding opportunities.

Farmers interested in applying for the Farm Vitality Grants can do so through the Department of Community and Economic Development, with applications remaining open until funds are exhausted. Full guidelines and additional details will be published in the May 17 edition of the PA Bulletin. For more resources and information regarding grant applications, farmers are encouraged to visit agriculture.pa.gov.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is currently conducting its first Farm Progression Survey in 20 years, in collaboration with Penn State Extension and PA Farm Link. This effort is aimed at gathering vital data to inform future policies concerning agricultural support and development. Furthermore, Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal for the fiscal year 2024-25 includes a dedicated allocation of $500,000 to the Farm Vitality Grants.

The doubling of the maximum grant amount to $15,000 reflects the state’s commitment to supporting the agricultural community by enhancing business planning capabilities and ensuring the sustainability of Pennsylvania farms. With these critical funding programs, the state aims to bolster not only individual farm success but also the overall vitality of its agricultural sector.

For farmers in Pennsylvania facing the challenges of transition, growth, or innovation, these grants provide a much-needed financial resource to help navigate the complexities of the farming business landscape.