Pennsylvania Agriculture Grants

The Agricultural Fair Operational & Premium Reimbursement Program is designed to support Pennsylvania's certified agricultural county and community fairs by offering partial reimbursements for their annual general operating costs and premium expenses for exhibitors. This initiative is in accordance with the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act of 1986 and State Premium Guidelines. Eligible fairs, which are classified into five classes based on size and scope, can receive a basic operational payment up to specified limits, ranging from $2,500 for Class E fairs to $14,000 for Class A fairs. Additionally, fairs can be reimbursed for 50% of the money paid out for agricultural premiums beyond the basic payment, with a cap of $15,000 for these additional premiums. There's also a provision for county and independent agricultural societies conducting harness horse racing during their annual fairs, with possible reimbursements up to $13,000. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: November 15th

Under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and funded by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Simplified Equipment-Only Grants are designed to support Pennsylvania's food system transformation. These grants, focusing on equipment purchases for small to mid-size producers and processors, aim to diversify, distribute, and localize food systems to enhance consumer access, producer options, and rural community markets. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $100,000, requiring no cost sharing. Eligible equipment expenses include purchase costs, delivery, and installation if included in the official bid. Applications are accepted electronically, with project completion required by June 30, 2026.

Applications are now being accepted for the ​​2024-2025 Ag Conservation Research Grants. Donor Name: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/07/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Department of Agriculture (Department) is soliciting applications to conduct agricultural conservation research on one or more of the following research topic areas, with the research to be conducted from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, with the possibility, but not the assurance, of extending that research into subsequent years. This notice establishes the procedures by which grant applications will be solicited and reviewed, and by which grants will be awarded. This funding is made available through the Clean Streams Fund Nutrient Management federal ARPA funds. The Department intends to make up to $1,500,000 available for grants under the Program. Research Topic Areas Though not exclusive of original research topics, the Department is particularly interested in funding conservation research projects that are able to do the following: Identify the sources of nuisance emissions in the mushroom industry and best mitigation practices that are applicable to Pennsylvania operations. Quantify emissions from the mushroom industry and measure the impact of best practices that are deployed. Quantify the impact of Manure Treatment Technologies (MTT) on water quality, including traceability of nutrients as they are processed. Additionally, provide recommendations for best available technology and or best practices to improve MTT utilization. Quantify the impact of precision feeding and review implications for nutrient reductions. Quantify the climate benefits of best management practices installed through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program and Conservation Excellence Grant programs (ACAP & CEG). Quantify the ability of non-traditional biomass crops to uptake excess nutrients and or contaminants like PFAS. Design a method in which to quantify the climate impacts of agriculture operations. Additionally, the work should be able to measure the impact of BMP implementation on a farm’s climate impact. Evaluate the nutrient value and traceability of food processing residuals (FPRs). This should consider the movement of material from producer to applicator to farm owner. For more information, visit Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The FFA Reimbursement Program provides funds to county FFA organizations in Pennsylvania to support a portion of their annual expenses for activities promoting leadership development. This program is structured to allocate funds based on enrollment data across three tiers: Tier I organizations with 100 members or less receive base funding of $1,000 plus an additional $4.00 per member; Tier II organizations with 101 to 210 members receive $2,000 base funding plus an additional $2.00 per member; Tier III organizations with more than 211 members receive $2,000 plus an additional $2.00 per member for every member under 210 and $4.00 per member for every member over 210. The program aims to enhance leadership skills among young agricultural leaders through various educational activities. As a reimbursement grant, organizations must cover all costs upfront, with awards given based on the funds available. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: November 15th

This program provides essential financial support to small businesses in Pennsylvania that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them access working capital to sustain their operations.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

This funding opportunity supports community-led projects in Philadelphia that promote food justice by empowering marginalized groups to access, grow, and sell healthy food in areas with limited fresh food availability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Pennsylvania farmers, agricultural processors, and service providers for adopting innovative technologies and sustainable practices to improve productivity and environmental stewardship.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program funds projects that develop the knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers about sustainable agriculture practices to teach, advise or assist farmers. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: An agricultural service provider is a professional who assists farmers. Projects that develop the ability of other service providers (for example, real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys) to work with farmers are also eligible. These service providers then use what they’ve learned through participation in project activities in their work with farmers. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000. Project Duration Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligibility Criteria  Professional Development Grants are open to anyone who works with service providers and farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, and for-profit business entities (such as farms, private consultants, veterinary practices and other businesses that serve the farming community). Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

The Fairs Capital Improvement Grant Program provides essential funding to certified agricultural fairs in Pennsylvania for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of fairground structures. Eligible fairs can receive up to $25,000 in grants, which require a 50% funding match by the recipients. This reimbursement grant aims to support the physical infrastructure of fairgrounds, enhancing their capacity to host agricultural events. Grant funds can be used for various projects, including new construction, renovation of existing buildings, utility upgrades, fencing improvements, roadway and pathway development, stormwater management, public address system installations, and land purchases. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: June 30th

The EQT Foundation Grant program supports nonprofits that demonstrate positive, needed, and trusted impacts throughout their community with special attention given to proposals grounded in analysis that demonstrate creative approaches to addressing critical issues. Donor Name: EQT Foundation State: Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Since its inception, the EQT Foundation has awarded more than $74 million to nonprofits throughout the operational footprint of EQT Corporation. They are committed to supporting the education and training of children and adults; the development of diverse, livable communities; and preserving our natural environments. EQT Foundation believes in meaningful engagement with the communities they call home and they take great pride in being a responsible and responsive corporate citizens. Through a practice of trust-based philanthropy, they focus their resources on areas that have a direct effect on the stability of communities and, in turn, contribute to the success of business operations in those areas. Priorities The EQT Foundation’s funding strategy endorses organizations and programs that directly impact the community and its residents. The Foundation supports nonprofits that demonstrate positive, needed, and trusted impacts throughout their community with special attention given to proposals grounded in analysis that demonstrate creative approaches to addressing critical issues. The EQT Foundation also seeks evidence of: Geographic setting that aligns with EQT Corporation’s business locations; Ability to manage available resources effectively; and Outreach that gains solid public recognition and support for the nonprofit, its programs and sponsors. Priorities The EQT Foundation’s funding strategy endorses organizations and programs that directly impact the community and its residents. The EQT Foundation also seeks evidence of: Geographic setting that aligns with EQT Corporation’s business locations; Ability to manage available resources effectively; and Outreach that gains solid public recognition and support for the nonprofit, its programs and sponsors. Community Enrichment : Encourage the development of diverse, safe, healthy, and sustainable communities, which can help to retain residential, commercial and economic growth. Examples: Food banks, libraries, farmers markets, arts & music programs, community festivals & initiatives. Education & Workforce: Promote proficiency in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) topics for youth, as well as training programs to create a future skilled workforce. Examples: In-school STEM-based curricula, computer and science camps, project-based learning, teacher professional development, career planning and preparation. Environment: Support the preservation of natural resources, and educate children, residents, and businesses to employ conservation techniques to minimize adverse impacts on the environment. Examples: community gardens, watershed conservation, environmental education, preservation and restoration of green spaces. Funding Information While grant sizes can vary greatly depending on the scope of a project, the average grant awarded by the EQT Foundation is $15,000. Geographic Areas The EQT Foundation tends to award grants in the same geographic footprint of EQT Corporation’s business operations. For the most part, that includes southwestern Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland Counties), northeastern Pennsylvania (Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Tioga), northern West Virginia (Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Tyler, Wetzel Counties) and eastern Ohio (Belmont County). For more information, visit EQT Foundation.

The William Penn Foundation is offering a grant of over $1 million for one to two-year projects aimed at securing and preserving urban garden and farm parcels in Philadelphia, with activities including planning, technical assistance, stewardship, advocacy, and direct acquisition, open to 501(c)3 public charities, educational institutions, and government entities.

Love Your Block is a City of Pittsburgh program that brings neighbors together to improve communities by combating blight, creating assets, and building resilience, block by block. Donor Name: The City of Pittsburgh State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Projects may include but are not limited to community garden maintenance, neighborhood clean-ups, or tree and flower planting. Successful projects will build strong partnerships, leverage donations, and most importantly, engage neighbors. In planning for strong and successful projects, consider the following priorities: Build strong partnerships Consider having local businesses come out and lend a hand or donate food or materials. Recruit volunteers from a local VFW post or have a service-learning component for youth. Leverage donations Consider having residents donate plants, compost material, or food for your volunteer event day. Make sure it’s feasible City loves creative ideas– but don’t bite off more than you can chew! If you have a huge idea, make Love Your Block a first step in the right direction and secure some other partners that can assist with your plans. Engage neighbors While your volunteers can come from anywhere, they’ve found that the most impactful projects utilize volunteers within proximity to the project. People like to be a part of what’s happening next door and are more likely to maintain and sustain the project afterward if they helped plan and implement it. Funding Information Love Your Block is a City of Pittsburgh program with a maximum award of $2,500. Funding is provided through reimbursement after project implementation. Eligibility Criteria Funding must be awarded through a nonprofit. If your organization is not a nonprofit, you can ask one to be your sponsor. Nonprofits are welcome to sponsor multiple projects. Projects must benefit the public. Projects on private property must have the written permission of the owner. All projects are subject to City of Pittsburgh Zoning and Permit guidelines. Project-related events must follow COVID-19 guidelines that are in place at the time of the events. For more information, visit The City of Pittsburgh.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in eastern and central Pennsylvania to help low-income families pay their home energy costs.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is inviting applications for agricultural research grants for projects to be conducted from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026. The projects should address various critical areas such as pest infestation impacts, Chesapeake Bay farm management practices, pollinator protection, food action plans, urban agriculture, energy in agriculture, animal health, and robotic technology in farming. Funding is contingent upon the 2024-2025 budget appropriations, and the deadline for application submission is June 7, 2024. The department will evaluate the proposals based on a 100-point scale considering project needs, research outcomes, methodology, evaluation and replicability, industry support, and research team diversity.

The 4-H Reimbursement Program is designed to support county 4-H organizations in Pennsylvania by reimbursing a portion of their annual expenses for activities that promote leadership development. The program classifies organizations into four tiers based on membership, offering base funding plus additional per-member reimbursement. Tier 1 organizations with up to 1,000 members receive $1,000 plus $1.50 for each traditional member and $1.00 for each school enrichment/special interest member. Tier 2 covers 1,001 to 2,000 members with $2,500 base funding; Tier 3 includes 2,001 to 3,000 members with $3,000 base funding; and Tier 4 supports over 3,001 members with $3,500 base funding, with a maximum reimbursement of $9,000. The program aims to support the overall activities of the 4-H organizations, including public speaking, judging contests, scholarships, and administrative costs, among others. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: November 15th

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture offers Simplified Equipment-Only Grants under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, aimed at strengthening food system infrastructure. These grants provide financial support solely for equipment purchases necessary for food production and processing. Each grant ranges from $10,000 to $100,000 and does not require cost-sharing or matching. Recipients must substantiate equipment costs through documentation such as contracts or quotes. The program emphasizes enhancing the capabilities of small and mid-size producers and benefits diverse groups including underserved and veteran farmers. Projects must be completed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026.

The Statewide Agricultural Organization Reimbursement Program in Pennsylvania offers financial support to Pennsylvania's Statewide Agricultural Organizations for their annual events with an agricultural mission. The program provides base funding up to $2,000 of total expenses and reimburses 50% of premium costs not exceeding $10,000. The goal is to support organizations in covering a portion of their overall activity costs, emphasizing the importance of agricultural education, promotion, and community engagement. It's a reimbursement grant, requiring organizations to cover all expenses upfront, with grants awarded based on the funds available. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: November 15th

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects throughout the Northeast. Donor Name: Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The goal of this program is to help develop competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability, supporting operations of all sizes in successfully launching and sustaining their products in the marketplace.  This program is for:  Dairy farmers ready to begin processing,  Value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing and/or value-added business startups, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to market, or  Dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in the start-up phase of business development. Funds are intended to support start-up operations, focusing on tangible implementation rather than research and development, concept development, or initial planning. Funding Information Total available funds: $500,000 Minimum: $15,000  Maximum: $75,000 Project Period Grant periods will range from 12 – 18 months, depending on the project.  Eligibility Criteria This grant is open to applicants from all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:  Dairy farmer that:  Produces milk within the Northeast  Is a licensed dairy operation in compliance with all required state and federal standards  Value-added business entrepreneur that meets the following requirements:  Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these components  Has a business entity prior to applying  Can demonstrate experience in dairy processing and/or related value-added business startup, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to market  Dairy processor established after January 1, 2023 that:  Has a business entity and milk processing license prior to applying  Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these components.  Is in the start-up phase of business operations All applicants must also:  Be headquartered or based in the Northeast  Provide Proof of Concept demonstrating the viability of the business idea and product  Have a plan for new value-added dairy processing that includes market research, financial projections, a branding and marketing strategy, and a facility location  Obtain licenses to sell dairy products across state lines by the end of the grant period Launch their products in the marketplace or have a Letter of Commitment from a buyer, distributor, or retailer indicating plans to sell the product by the end of the grant period For more information, visit NE-DBIC.

The Research and Education Grant program funds projects that result in gains in farmer knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes that are then applied to make measurable on-farm changes leading to greater sustainability. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: The focus on farmer behavior change is a key requirement of this grant program. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $250,000. Grant Period Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligible Applicants Research and Education Grants are open to anyone who works with farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, for-profit business entities (such as private consultants, farmers and veterinary practices), etc. Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.