Pennsylvania Agriculture Grants

This program provides funding for research aimed at improving peach and nectarine production for Pennsylvania growers who cultivate 500 or more trees for sale.

This program provides funding for potato farmers in Pennsylvania who cultivate five or more acres, supporting research to improve potato production and address challenges like Verticillium wilt.

This program provides financial support to eligible Pennsylvania companies for employee training in key industries to enhance workforce skills and improve business competitiveness.

This program provides financial assistance to Pennsylvania farmers for professional planning services to ensure the long-term sustainability and transition of their agricultural operations.

This program provides funding to Pennsylvania vegetable producers for marketing and research initiatives to improve vegetable cultivation and sales.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local governments in Erie County to improve community centers that serve as vital hubs for social, educational, and recreational services.

This grant provides financial support to dairy farmers and related organizations in the Northeast to improve farm operations, enhance milk quality, and address climate challenges.

This program provides up to $1 million annually to promote and support the growth of Pennsylvania's malt and brewed beverage industries through marketing, research, and training initiatives.

This program provides funding to support marketing and research initiatives that enhance wine production and promote the Pennsylvania wine industry.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryNRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities (Section C) for projects carried out in the state of Pennsylvania. A total of up to $225,000 is available for the Pennsylvania CIG competition in FY 2024. All non-Foreign, non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2024 is $75,000.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Completing all steps required to start an application can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 31, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specificinformation contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.A webinar for CIG applicants is scheduled for June 12, 2024 at 9am Eastern Standard Time. Information on how to participate in the webinar will be posted to the PA CSP website. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Pennsylvania State CIG website to learn more about the CIG program.The agency anticipates making selections by August 31, 2024 and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

This funding opportunity supports projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution in Pennsylvania's watersheds, particularly in Environmental Justice Areas, by improving water quality through initiatives like agricultural runoff control and urban stormwater management.

This grant provides funding to dairy processors, associations, packaging manufacturers, and educational institutions in the Northeast to support innovative projects that improve processing and packaging in the dairy industry.

This program provides funding to public entities in Pennsylvania for the development and improvement of public fishing and boating access facilities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Philadelphia to secure existing urban gardens and farms from development threats, aiming to increase their long-term preservation and community impact.

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Recovery Reimbursement Grant, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, aims to support farms, integrators, and allied industries directly impacted by HPAI, particularly those within control or quarantine zones. The program is designed to mitigate financial losses by reimbursing eligible costs related to the outbreak. With five rounds of funding, the latest round focuses on biosecurity enhancement reimbursements up to $25,000 per premises, with a total fund allocation of $2 million. This initiative encourages the implementation or improvement of biosecurity practices to elevate poultry farm and business biosecurity standards, address weaknesses, and decrease HPAI cases. The application deadline for Round Five has been extended to May 2, 2024, with eligible expenses including loss of income, mortgage interest, rent, utility payments, working capital for reopening, and payroll costs among others.

The Infrastructure Grants, part of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, aim to enhance the middle of the food supply chain through improved aggregation points, food processing infrastructure, and storage facilities. This grant supports projects that upgrade equipment, facilitate transition to licensed spaces, and expand storage capacities to boost local food production. Priority is given to projects that benefit underserved and veteran farmers, and socially disadvantaged individuals. Funding is prioritized for needs such as food hubs, cooperative developments, and increased cold storage, especially in urban areas.

This grant provides funding to organizations and businesses in the Northeast to develop and expand dairy workforce training programs, enhancing opportunities for current and potential employees in the dairy industry.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government entities in Philadelphia to plant and care for at least 35,000 trees by 2035, focusing on community engagement and environmental equity.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) is offering grants under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program. This program aims to transform the food system by increasing options, improving access, and creating new and better markets for small and mid-size producers. The core mission is to build a more diversified, distributed, and local food system to enhance its resilience and benefit consumers, producers, and rural communities. The RFSI program targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including agricultural producers and processors (or groups thereof), nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, local government entities, tribal governments, and institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals. The primary impact goal is to strengthen the middle of the food supply chain in Pennsylvania. Expected outcomes include increased production capacities for food processors, improved storage for produce and grains, and enhanced aggregation points like food hubs and farmer cooperatives. Funding priorities are aligned with addressing critical gaps in Pennsylvania's middle food supply chain. Specifically, the program prioritizes projects that establish or enhance aggregation points, improve food processing infrastructure (including equipment upgrades and moves to licensed spaces), and expand storage facilities, particularly cold storage in urban areas and storage for identity-preserved grains and dry beans. The USDA also encourages projects that benefit underserved farmers and ranchers, new and beginning farmers, veteran producers, and businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals. The grant program offers Simplified Equipment-Only Grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, which do not require cost sharing or matching. These are fixed-price grants solely for equipment purchases, with funds to be awarded no earlier than July 1, 2024, and projects completed by June 30, 2026. This focused approach on equipment aims to directly support tangible improvements in the food system's infrastructure, enabling producers and processors to expand and diversify their operations.

The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) has established a grant program to fund research and development proposals addressing critical issues in wastewater, drinking water, water resource management, solid waste management, and energy resource development within Ohio. This program aligns with OWDA's mission to engage in research and development in these key areas, aiming to foster innovation and implement solutions that benefit the state. The grants are designed to support projects that fulfill a general need in Ohio and fall within the Authority's scope of powers. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are a range of public entities and academic institutions. Eligible participants include Local Government Agencies (Cities, Villages, and Counties), Water/Sewer Districts, Conservancy Districts, State agencies, and Institutions of higher learning that conduct research and/or development. The program seeks to achieve broad impact across the state by funding projects that address environmental and natural resource challenges, ultimately improving public health, water quality, and resource management for Ohio residents. Priority for grants will be given to projects that demonstrate statewide environmental and/or natural resource applications. OWDA has historically awarded grants in diverse areas such as surface water, wastewater, drinking water, solid waste, agriculture, and public health, indicating a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship. The program focuses on fostering research and development that can lead to tangible and widespread benefits throughout Ohio, ensuring that the funded initiatives have a significant and positive impact on the state's natural resources and infrastructure. Expected outcomes include the successful completion of research and development projects that provide solutions to identified challenges in water, waste, and energy management. Grantees are required to submit a final report, which will serve as a measurable result of the program's effectiveness and the specific achievements of each funded project. While specific funding amounts can vary, the program typically offers between $100,000 to $500,000, with an allocated $200,000 dependent upon available funds, supporting eligible project costs such as start-up and research. Indirect/overhead costs are capped at 35% of the grant amount to ensure that the majority of funds are directed towards direct project activities.