​Agriculture and Youth Program Grant

The Agriculture and Youth Program Grant, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, provides financial assistance to youth-centered organizations aiming to foster development in agriculture, vocational skills, leadership, and peer fellowship. The program operates under the authority of the Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program Act and is overseen in partnership with the State Agriculture and Youth Development Board. For the 2025–2026 fiscal year, the program has a minimum funding allocation of $500,000, contingent on state budget appropriations. Eligible applicants include organizations primarily composed of individuals aged 24 or younger or entities with programming that benefits this age group. This includes, but is not limited to, school districts and school-affiliated agricultural and youth programs. To qualify, these organizations must be organized to promote agriculture, community leadership, vocational training, or peer fellowship. The program supports a variety of initiatives, such as educational seminars, field trips, agricultural safety training programs, and capital projects or equipment purchases. Two types of reimbursement grants are available: direct grants of up to $7,500 for non-capital projects and matching grants of up to $25,000 for capital projects or equipment purchases, where funding covers no more than 50% of the total cost. The program strictly prohibits the use of funds for staff wages, stipends, sub-awards, or expenses reimbursed under other state or federal programs. All grants are reimbursement-based and require submission of supporting documentation, including invoices and visual proof of completed work. Applications are accepted exclusively through the Commonwealth's Single Application for Assistance online system. The submission window for the 2025–2026 cycle opens on September 1, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. and closes on October 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants must include detailed narratives, itemized budgets, project timelines, and a signed attestation. Projects must be completed, and reimbursement documentation submitted, by June 30, 2027. Grant applications are evaluated by the Department in collaboration with the Board, using a 100-point scoring system tailored to the type of grant requested. Criteria include the organization’s background, project scope, budget details, implementation plan, measurable outcomes, and alignment with program objectives. Once reviewed, applicants are notified via email regarding the status of their application. Successful applicants must sign a grant agreement outlining terms and requirements prior to disbursement. For further assistance or clarification, prospective applicants may contact Sara Gligora at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture via phone at 717-798-5048 or email at sgligora@pa.gov. The Department encourages early preparation and thorough review of application materials to ensure eligibility and completeness.