Pennsylvania awards nearly $500,000 in Farm Bill Grants to future ag leaders

On Monday, the Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to prepare young farmers for success.

The PA Farm Bill Agriculture & Youth Grants were awarded to 47 organizations in 24 counties, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. The grants support projects in Allegheny, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Forest, Greene, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Perry, Philadelphia, Union, Washington, and Westmoreland counties, and are awarded to grow the agriculture industry in the state.

“To meet increasingly complex challenges tied to climate and marketplace changes, and rapidly evolving technology, Pennsylvania’s agriculture employers need innovative problem-solvers,” Redding said. “The Shapiro Administration is committed to making sure young people have the freedom to choose their own paths, and the preparation to pursue the opportunities ahead of them. These grants feed the hungry minds of those who will feed us tomorrow.”

The grants provide funding of up to $7,500 and matching grants of up to $25,000 to support projects, programs and equipment purchases by youth-run organizations, and those with programs that benefit youth or promote agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer networking. Past grants have gone to projects like agriculture seminars and field trips, agricultural safety training, capital projects and equipment purchases leading students to agricultural opportunities.

Awards included a $25,000 matching grant for Fox Chase Farm, the 112-acre demonstration farm in the School District of Philadelphia, for a mobile chicken house.

“This cutting-edge addition not only symbolizes the latest technology in free-range poultry production but also serves as a dynamic educational tool, aligning with the ever-evolving landscape of poultry science,” said Dr. Mandy Manna, leader of innovative agricultural education programs for the School District of Philadelphia. “We are not just cultivating futures; we are nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders and placing the promise of innovation directly into the hands of our students. Together, we are building a legacy of excellence in agriculture education.”

Other grants included $7,500 for science equipment for Kutztown Area School District’s Agriculture Program; $6,875 for the Chester County Intermediate Unit Animal and Veterinary Science Program; and $6,143 for the West Shore School District Apiary Education program.