State to award grants to military veterans for farm expenses

The Agriculture Business Development Center recently announced it will fund up to three $100,000 grants to organizations that will offer grants of up to $10,000 to military veterans for agricultural business needs.

Subgrants can be used for farm start-ups and expansion and related business expenses such as food safety, biosecurity planning, equipment, marketing, and working capital.

“Pennsylvania agriculture needs a skilled, work-ready workforce to keep feeding the world,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Veterans return from serving our country with valuable, transferrable skills they can put to work on the farm. Like any other business, they need to finance planning, safety, permits, equipment, and other critical needs. These grants are one way we can thank our veterans for their service and feed their future success in agriculture.”

Interested organizations must submit applications through June 17 online using the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Electronic Single Application.

Funding is through the PA Farm Bill. The PA Preferred Homegrown By Heroes program helps farmer-veterans market their locally grown products.

There are more than 7,000 military veterans identified as agricultural producers in Pennsylvania, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture.

The state’s agriculture industry is valued at $132.5 billion.