The Department of Agriculture plans to use $500,000 from the Pennsylvania Farm Bill to provide 57 agriculture education and workforce development grants in 33 counties.
The Ag and Youth Program funds workforce development programs and ag education projects such as agricultural safety training, seminars and field trips, capital projects, and equipment purchases. The goal is to increase awareness about agriculture jobs.
“Kids are the future and opportunities in agriculture are increasing every day,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Our goal with this program is to show Pennsylvania youth that agriculture is more than cows and plows. It’s computer science and technology, food science and animal health – it’s in labs and on farms, in restaurants and healthcare facilities. More importantly, it’s on our plate every day, and we need a new generation to ensure that continues.”
Of the programs that received funding, 43 were for direct nonmatching grants of up to $7,500, and 14 were for matching reimbursement grant projects of up to $25,000.
One recipient, Penn Manor High School in Millersville, received nearly $7,500 to purchase welding equipment.
In Pennsylvania, the agriculture industry employs more than 593,000, a 2.4 percent increase since 2018, and was valued at $132.5 billion.