New grant available to Penn. farmers

Farmers can receive up to $7,500 to use towards busines planning and for other project costs

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A new grant program is available to Pennsylvania farmers to help them fund projects on their operations.

The $1 million Farm Vitality Grant Program, which is part of the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, helps producers cover costs associated with creating or hiring professionals to create business plans that help with transition planning, farm diversification and other related projects.

Investments in farmers are investments in the greater community, said Russell Redding, Pennsylvania’s ag secretary.

“Pennsylvania’s farm families need sound business plans, because their success is success for all of Pennsylvania,” he said, The Center Square reported.

The application window opened on April 19 and the department of agriculture will administer funds on a first-come, first-served bases. It will also accept applications until funding runs out.

The maximum amount one application will receive is $7,500. This amount can cover no more than 75 per cent of a project’s costs.

Each application is for a single project. Applicants may apply for more funding, but each project will need its own separate application.

State farm organizations are pleased with this new grant opportunity.

These funds will help farmers remain competitive, said Liam Migdail, communications director with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

“In today’s challenging farm economy, Pennsylvania farm families are finding creative and innovative ways to improve their businesses and keep their farms viable for generations to come,” he told Farms.com in an emailed statement. “The Farm Vitality Grant program helps farms better plan for the future by enlisting experts to assist with business planning, transitioning to the next generation, diversifying or expanding the farm, and more.”