Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Landowners apply through their county Agricultural Land Preservation Board (not the state). The county ranks applications and forwards them to the State Board, which approves the purchase after offers are made. County application materials and a county contact list are published on the program page.

Stephanie Zimmerman

Developed&#x2004;in 1988 to slow the loss of prime farmland to non-agricultural uses, this program enables state, county, and local governments to purchase agricultural conservation easements (development rights) directly from owners of quality farmland. 58 participating county programs receive state funds; a state board distributes funds and approves county programs and purchases. More than 662,000 acres have been preserved — Pennsylvania leads the nation. Administered by the PDA Bureau of Farmland Preservation with county Agricultural Land Preservation Boards and the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board.



Developed in 1988 to slow the loss of prime farmland to non-agricultural uses, this program enables state, county, and local governments to purchase agricultural conservation easements (development rights) directly from owners of quality farmland. 58 participating county programs receive state funds; a state board distributes funds and approves county programs and purchases. More than 662,000 acres have been preserved — Pennsylvania leads the nation. Administered by the PDA Bureau of Farmland Preservation with county Agricultural Land Preservation Boards and the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board.

Farms are ranked against other parcels on Quality of Farmland (minimum 50 acres, or 35 if the county opts in, or as small as 10 acres if adjacent to preserved land or growing crops unique to the area; at least 50% harvested cropland/pasture/grazing and at least 50% soils of land capability classes I-IV), Stewardship, and Likelihood of Conversion. The property must lie within an Agricultural Security Area (at least 500 acres of viable agricultural land in one or more ownerships).

Payment per unit of land to do or avoid certain practices related to land management.

Easement

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Education

The landowner is paid the appraised easement value — the difference between the property's market value and its farmland (agricultural) value. Proceeds may be taken as a lump sum, installments up to 5 years, or long-term installments. Easements are permanent (the prior 25-year extinguishment provision was repealed by Act 44 of 2011). Governed by the Agricultural Area Security Law (Act 43 of 1981, amended by Act 149 of 1988). Easements may be purchased using state, county, or other funds.

Complete the Application for Act 13 Qualified Beginner Farmer Status and email it to RA-farmland@pa.gov (preferred) or mail to PDA Bureau of Farmland Preservation, 2301 N Cameron St, Harrisburg PA 17110 — at least 30 days before settlement. After certification, file the Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value (REV-183) with the Recorder of Deeds.

Neil Imes

PDA Bureau of Farmland Preservation

Under Act 13 of 2019, Pennsylvania realty transfer tax is not imposed on the transfer of real estate subject to an agricultural conservation easement (under the Agricultural Area Security Law) to a qualified beginner farmer. The exemption applies to both the seller (grantor) and the buyer (grantee). PDA's Bureau of Farmland Preservation certifies qualified beginner farmer status. This is distinct from PA DCED's Beginning Farmer Tax Credit.



- You qualify as a beginning farmer if you have demonstrated experience or transferable skills, as determined by the Department.
- You have not received federal gross income from agricultural production for more than the 10 most recent taxable years.
- You intend to farm in Pennsylvania and provide the majority of the labor and management.
- You have written certification from the Department.
- The property must already be subject to an agricultural conservation easement (preserved farmland).

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Exemption from Pennsylvania realty transfer tax (typically 1% state plus any local realty transfer tax) on the qualifying transfer, applying to both the grantor and the grantee. There is no dollar cap; the benefit depends on the transaction value.

Complete a CEG Application and submit it to your local County Conservation District Office. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis in the order received, and applicants are notified within 60 days. Find your county conservation district at pacd.org.

Eric Cromer

Created by Act 39 of 2019, the Conservation Excellence Grant provides financial and technical assistance for implementing agricultural best management practices (BMPs) in high-priority (Chesapeake Bay) watersheds, through grants, loans, and tax credits or a combination of all three. Administered by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission and delivered as a reimbursement grant through county conservation districts.



Agricultural operations in priority locations under the Chesapeake Bay plan — Tier 1 (Lancaster, York), Tier 2 (Bedford, Centre, Cumberland, Franklin, Lebanon), Tier 3 (sixteen counties), then all others. The application must verify that an Agricultural Erosion & Sedimentation Plan or Conservation Plan, a Manure Management Plan, or a Nutrient Management Plan has been developed and is available.

Fertilizer

Waste & Manure Management

Weeds

Water Management

A single grant awarded to an eligible applicant may not exceed $250,000; small grants for projects under $25,000 are also available. Operates as a reimbursement grant. Lancaster and York award cost share up to 75% of construction cost plus up to an additional 10% for engineering/planning. Costs not covered with CEG grant funds or other public funds may be eligible for REAP tax credits (50-75%). Approved projects must be completed within 2 years of the agreement, and BMPs must be maintained for the practice lifespan or a prorated portion of the grant returned. Money may be provided through grants, loans, tax credits, or a combination.

Complete the round application (PDF) and mail it to PA Department of Agriculture, Attn: Jake Tatge, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110, or email RA-AGHPAIReimburse@pa.gov. Provide an IRS Form 1040 for your most recent tax year, or itemized invoices/bills/receipts documenting the loss. Round Six closes November 30, 2026.

Jake Tatge

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture administers the HPAI Recovery Reimbursement Grant, which reimburses farms, integrators, and allied industries for demonstrable financial losses due to inclusion in a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza control or quarantine zone. Established under Act 54 of 2022. (A separate HPAI Biosecurity Grant, capped at $25,000 per premises with a $2 million pool, funds biosecurity upgrades.)



Poultry farmers, poultry integrators, and businesses/allied industries that incurred demonstrable financial losses from inclusion in an HPAI control or quarantine zone. Eligible expenses vary by round: loss of income; payroll and group-health/insurance costs; mortgage interest; rent; utilities; and working capital to reopen after a mandated quarantine period. Not eligible: losses or costs eligible for or covered by federal funding, insurance, contracts, or other funding sources.

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Coronavirus

Fencing

Trade Relief

Trees

Weather

Wildfire

Disaster Relief

Drought

Flood

Hurricane

Tornado

Emergency

Losses up to $100,000 are reimbursed at 100%; losses over $100,000 may be reimbursed on a percentage basis (up to 50% in Round Five, with a maximum cap of $1,000,000 per event in the Commonwealth), based on the number of applications received and available funding. Six rounds have run to date (Rounds 1-4 closed in 2022-2023).

Proposals are submitted through the Commonwealth's Single Application for Assistance for the current round's priority topics. See the program page for the current solicitation and deadlines; recent awardee lists (2022-23 and 2023-24) are posted there.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture — General Information

Pennsylvania Agricultural Research Grants, funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, support research developing novel solutions to controlling animal and plant diseases and pests; increasing regenerative and organic farming methods that enrich and sustain soil and water resources; advancing human and animal&#x2004;medicine; applying emerging technology in food safety; and protecting pollinators crucial to the food supply. The Department also invites proposals on animal health and welfare and its interactions with human and environmental health; the quality and availability of housing for farm workers; the effectiveness of agricultural worker training; consumer-focused research on biodegradable packaging and new uses for milk proteins and milk-based products; barriers to land access for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in rural areas; and more.



Pennsylvania Agricultural Research Grants, funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, support research developing novel solutions to controlling animal and plant diseases and pests; increasing regenerative and organic farming methods that enrich and sustain soil and water resources; advancing human and animal medicine; applying emerging technology in food safety; and protecting pollinators crucial to the food supply. The Department also invites proposals on animal health and welfare and its interactions with human and environmental health; the quality and availability of housing for farm workers; the effectiveness of agricultural worker training; consumer-focused research on biodegradable packaging and new uses for milk proteins and milk-based products; barriers to land access for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in rural areas; and more.

The program funds agricultural research projects; applicants are typically research institutions, universities, and other qualified researchers proposing work in the Department's priority topic areas. Individual producers are not the typical applicants; the research is intended to benefit Pennsylvania agriculture broadly.

Trials

Conservation

Competitive research grants funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture across published priority topics. Award amounts and the total pool vary by cycle and are set in each solicitation (not published on the general program page).

This is not a competitive application. A producer enrolls by contacting Feeding Pennsylvania or their regional food bank to plan a donation and the costs to be covered (see contact). Small farms are explicitly encouraged.

Tom Mainzer

PASS reimburses Pennsylvania's agricultural producers, packers, and processors for the costs of harvesting, packaging, processing, and transporting surplus/donated food products that are redirected to the charitable food system. The Department of Agriculture contracts with Feeding Pennsylvania to administer the program through a network of 13 regional food-bank distributors serving 2,700+ charitable partners across all 67 counties. Established by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System Act (Act 113 of 2010).



Pennsylvania agricultural producers, packers, and processors who donate PA-produced food. Three participation paths: Contract Planting (plan a portion of production for donation with Feeding Pennsylvania and your regional food bank); Surplus Items at Harvest (excess end-of-season product in acceptable condition); and Value-Added Products (dairy, meat, eggs, and shelf-stable items using PA-sourced ingredients). No acreage, revenue, or entity-type restriction is published.

Local Food

Farmers Market

Food Systems

Marketing

PASS covers the costs associated with harvesting, processing, packaging, and transporting donated Pennsylvania-produced food; amounts are negotiated per arrangement with the regional food bank (no per-recipient cap or pool is published). A sub-initiative, Bid. Buy. Donate., uses PASS funds to cover transportation, processing, and packaging when a youth-livestock-auction buyer donates an animal (beef cattle, hogs, sheep, goats) to a food bank.

ACAP is administered on a local level. To apply for these funds and obtain local program information, please contact your County Conservation District.

A pre-application site visit with the district is recommended. The purpose of the visit is to provide a potential applicant the opportunity to discuss the size and scope of a potential project with the district. Applicants must complete and submit the ACAP Application Form to the district.

Districts must review applications for completeness on an ongoing basis and in the order received. Districts may set their own schedule for approving ACAP applications provided the guidance below is followed.

Katie Doster

Conservation Program Specialist 1

Patrick McCarthy

Samantha Zaner

Rebecca Siko

The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) supports Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural landowners in their efforts to protect and enhance water quality. ACAP was created through the Clean Streams Fund established by the&#x2004;FY 2022−2023 Pennsylvania State Budget. ACAP provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations within the Commonwealth.


ACAP is administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and delegated to participating county conservation districts for implementation of the program.


ACAP was initially dedicated $154 million from the Clean Streams Fund to reduce non-point source (NPS) pollution in Commonwealth streams, rivers and waterbodies. The state budget now annually dedicates over $35 million to ACAP through the Clean Streams Fund.



The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) supports Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural landowners in their efforts to protect and enhance water quality. ACAP was created through the Clean Streams Fund established by the FY 2022−2023 Pennsylvania State Budget. ACAP provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations within the Commonwealth.

ACAP is administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and delegated to participating county conservation districts for implementation of the program.

ACAP was initially dedicated $154 million from the Clean Streams Fund to reduce non-point source (NPS) pollution in Commonwealth streams, rivers and waterbodies. The state budget now annually dedicates over $35 million to ACAP through the Clean Streams Fund.

- Any person or other legal entity that has legal or financial responsibility for one of the following: an agricultural operation in which they are engaged; or property on which an agricultural operation takes place.
- A grantee may be either the landowner or an operator with written permission from the landowner. The Landowner Concurrence Form must be signed if the grantee is an operator.
- The implementation of a BMP or combination of BMPs which is necessary to address existing nutrient and sediment resource concerns from the agricultural operation and meets the criteria established by the Commission.
- An administratively complete conservation plan or agricultural erosion and sediment control plan must be developed and include BMPs proposed for the project. If the required plan has not been developed before application, the development of the plan must be included in the application.
- Any untreated animal concentration areas (ACA) present at the worksite address or on contiguous parcels under the applicant’s ownership or management must be addressed as part of the ACAP-funded project.
- Priority given to BMPs for control of nitrogen or phosphorus or sediment.
- Ineligible BMPs: Lime applications, equipment purchases for grantees, agrichemical handling facilities, and methane systems.

- ACAP Administrative Guidelines (PDF)
- Find your county conservation district
- Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT)
- Doing Right by the Creek: ACAP Helps a Perry County Farm

Waste & Compost

Nutrient Management

Infrastructure

- Eligible costs (contracted services): Planning services (i.e. MMP, NMP, Ag E&S Plan, Conservation Plan). Project design, engineering and construction oversight. Project construction or installation provided by a contractor.
- Eligible costs (non-contracted services): Applicant provided labor or materials.
- Engineering services may be reimbursed for eligible, out-of-pocket engineering costs up to 10% of the final total project cost, including both ACAP-funded and non-ACAP funded portions of the project costs, unless otherwise approved by SCC.
- The Commission or district may choose to reimburse grantee based on eligible actual project costs, incentive payments for certain completed BMPs approved by the Commission or any other method deemed appropriate by the Commission.
- Funds will be fully distributed upon certification and verification that the funded project has been completed and that all design and construction standards have been met.
- Other funding sources may be used as matching funds for ACAP projects. Districts may adopt local policies establishing additional match requirements or standards.
- Approval from the SCC is required in the following situations: Applications proposing an individual contract exceeding $500,000 in ACAP funds.
- Repayment of ACAP funds is required when project Best Management Practices (BMPs) are not installed, cannot be certified as installed, or are not functioning as designed for the duration of the BMP’s expected lifespan.
- Grantees must also recognize that receiving grant funds may have tax implications and take the necessary steps to address them.

Applications must be submitted through the Single Application for Assistance online application system and will be received until available funding is exhausted.
Applications received after funding is exhausted, will not be considered.
Applications received outside of that window, or after funding is exhausted, will not be considered.
The Department will review completed grant applications in the order received and will award grants on a first-come, first-served basis for complete applications for eligible projects until funds are no longer available.

The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program will help fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm. The program will enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through sound business planning, efficient transitions of farm ownership, strategic farm expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building&#x2004;a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for Pennsylvania's farmers.


Grants may be used for expenses related to the following projects:

    - Creating or obtaining business plans or management strategies to enhance the long-term economic viability of a farm.

    - Creating or obtaining plans for the transition of ownership and operation of a farm to new owners and operators.

    - Creating or obtaining plans for transfer of ownership and operation of a farm within the farmer's family.

    - Creating or obtaining business plans to diversify an existing agricultural operation to new or different forms of agricultural production.

    - Creating or obtaining business plans for a farm expansion or to seek financing for farm growth.

    - Creating or obtaining plans to maintain the long-term economic viability and protect the investment of public funds in preserving farms that are subject to perpetual agricultural conservation easements acquired under the Agricultural Area Security Law, for agricultural production.




The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program will help fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm. The program will enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through sound business planning, efficient transitions of farm ownership, strategic farm expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for Pennsylvania's farmers.

Grants may be used for expenses related to the following projects:
    - Creating or obtaining business plans or management strategies to enhance the long-term economic viability of a farm.
    - Creating or obtaining plans for the transition of ownership and operation of a farm to new owners and operators.
    - Creating or obtaining plans for transfer of ownership and operation of a farm within the farmer's family.
    - Creating or obtaining business plans to diversify an existing agricultural operation to new or different forms of agricultural production.
    - Creating or obtaining business plans for a farm expansion or to seek financing for farm growth.
    - Creating or obtaining plans to maintain the long-term economic viability and protect the investment of public funds in preserving farms that are subject to perpetual agricultural conservation easements acquired under the Agricultural Area Security Law, for agricultural production.


Eligible Costs
Ag professionals assisting with business, transition and/or succession plan development and related documents they create.

    - Accountant, CPA, Business Consultant, Financial Planner
    - Profitability and feasibility Studies
    - Financial guidance
    - Financial Statements
        - Income Statement
        - Cash Flow
        - Balance Sheet
    - Business planning services
    - Business software suggested by professionals (i.e. QuickBooks)
    - Appraiser
        - Appraisal directly related to succession
    - Attorney
        - Preparation and filing of legal documents
        - Setting up new entity with next generation
    - Facilitator
        - Facilitate farm succession meetings and communication
        - Mediator
    - Assists farm families with a succession conflict

Ineligible Costs
    - Capital improvements including:
        - Purchase of land or farm
        - Facilities
        - Equipment
        - Buildings
        - Remodels
        - Repairs and maintenance
        - Installation of conservation practices
    - Conservation Plans, Ag E&S Plans, Manure Management Plans, Nutrient Management Plans
    - Surveying and subdivision costs even if related to succession
    - Any taxes even if related to property transfer
    - Insurance premiums and related costs
    - Meals, mileage or other travel expenses


- Budget & Service Provider Summary Template (Excel)
- Step-by-Step Application Guide (PDF)


Legal & Finance

Reimbursement grant for professional services — you hire and pay the accountant, attorney, appraiser or facilitator, then get paid back for most of it.

- Amount and rate: "The grant is $15,000, covering 75% of project costs." So you carry the remaining 25% yourself.
- Form: "It's a reimbursement grant. The repayment is based on approved costs. These are for approved projects by the applicant, during the grant's fiscal year."
- Your 25% must be real money: "In-kind support won't count as part of the applicant's contribution."
- Program pool: "The Department of Agriculture will give up to $500,000 for program grants in 2026-2027," and "Grants are given based on available funds" — so apply early in the cycle.
- Cost window: "Costs from July 1, 2026, to the grant agreement must be in the work plan for reimbursement." Work done before that date, or not written into the approved work plan, is not reimbursable.

What it pays for: accountant/CPA, business consultant or financial planner fees; profitability and feasibility studies; financial statements; business-planning services and software; an appraisal directly related to succession; attorney fees for preparing and filing legal documents or setting up a new entity with the next generation; and a facilitator or mediator for farm succession meetings.

What it will not pay for: any capital improvement — land or farm purchase, facilities, equipment, buildings, remodels, repairs, conservation practice installation — plus conservation/nutrient/manure/E&S plans, surveying and subdivision costs even when succession-related, any taxes, insurance premiums, and meals, mileage or travel.

Apply online through the Commonwealth's Single Application for Assistance at grants.pa.gov (Keystone Login required). Round 3 applications are accepted 8:00 AM August 24, 2026 through 11:59 PM September 23, 2026. If selected, register as a Non-Procurement Vendor to obtain a 6-digit vendor number.

Michael (Mike) Roth

The&#x2004;Agricultural Innovation Grant Program helps farmers and other agriculture businesses implement new agricultural technologies, conservation, and renewable-energy innovations — expanding their potential to generate profits, enrich soil and water resources, and produce energy on the farm. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and described as the nation's first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, it reimburses expenses for project planning, on-site implementation, and larger projects with regional impact. Round three (2026-2027) is supported by an additional $10 million, bringing total program funding to $30 million; prior rounds funded 185 projects.



The Agricultural Innovation Grant Program helps farmers and other agriculture businesses implement new agricultural technologies, conservation, and renewable-energy innovations — expanding their potential to generate profits, enrich soil and water resources, and produce energy on the farm. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and described as the nation's first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, it reimburses expenses for project planning, on-site implementation, and larger projects with regional impact. Round three (2026-2027) is supported by an additional $10 million, bringing total program funding to $30 million; prior rounds funded 185 projects.

Eligible applicants are: a person who grows an agricultural commodity with anticipated sales greater than $2,000/year; a person who processes an agricultural commodity with anticipated sales greater than $10,000/year; a person who provides technical assistance or services to farmers (conservation, engineering, veterinary care, animal disease management, farm management, agricultural commodity production, nutrient management, and similar); or a person or cooperative association that utilizes agricultural commodities to create products or energy. The operation and project must be in Pennsylvania, the applicant must be in good standing with the PA Department of Revenue, and the project must fall within the program's eight priority areas.

- 2026-2027 Resource Guide
- Bulletin Notice (56 Pa.B. 5558)
- Ag Innovation Grant Webinar
- Ag Innovation Grant Flyer

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Biofuel

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

Buildings

Construction

Greenhouse

Irrigation

Storage

Reimbursement grant paid against paid receipts, in three tiers: Innovation Planning Project Grant $7,500-$50,000 (minimum 30% non-State cash match); Onsite Project Grant $5,000-$200,000 (minimum 50% match); Regional Impact Project Grant $100,000-$2,000,000 (minimum 50% match; must impact two or more persons/businesses or a cooperative association). Only non-State cash match is accepted. Only equipment and contracting/consulting costs are reimbursable (no administrative, salary, stipend, or marketing costs). Infrastructure projects over $25,000 are subject to prevailing wage. Cumulative program funding across all rounds is $30 million.

Two-phase competitive solicitation via the DCED Electronic Single Application (grants.pa.gov). Phase I is a Full Proposal; highest-combined-score projects are invited to submit a Final Grant Proposal. The FY2025-26 RFP was released November 10, 2025 with Full Proposals due December 19, 2025; the next cycle is expected around November 2026.

Holly Zarefoss

The purpose of the Commonwealth Specialty Crop Program is to enhance, but not replace, the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. It funds specialty crops that are not currently eligible under the federal program or are otherwise designated high-priority by the Secretary, assisting the growth, seed certification, and marketing of eligible crops. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (Bureau of Market Development) under Act 40 of 2019.



Eligible applicants include state and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other specialty-crop stakeholders. Eligible crops (FY2025-26): hemp, hardwoods, honey, hops, barley/rye/wheat (for distilling, brewing, and malting only), and flax (for fiber only). Grants may not be awarded to projects that directly benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Inputs

Research

Compliance

A total of $460,000 is awarded through this reimbursement-based grant, on a funds-available basis. Matching funds are not required. Grant funds cannot be expended on purchases/services that predate the grant agreement's effective date or that are incurred after June 30, 2029. Annual Performance Reports are due 30 days after the end of the first and second year of the grant. The Final Performance Report is due 90 days after the end of the grant period. Set-asides: 6.2% for rural and 3.8% for urban distressed municipalities, with the balance split across crop types.

Applications must include a detailed project plan and budget and are submitted through the Single Application for Assistance. For the 2025–2026 period, the deadline was 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, with projects to be completed by June 30, 2027; check the program page for the next cycle. Funds must be used for specific project expenses such as market research, trade shows, or consultant fees; permanent personnel costs are not eligible.

Karen Powell

Bureau of Market Development

The Pennsylvania Agricultural Product Promotion, Education, and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program&#x2004;supports nonprofit organizations working on market research, development, and promotion of agricultural products grown, raised, or produced in Pennsylvania. Grants provide matching funds (up to 50%) for market research (identifying opportunities for PA agricultural products), education (educating producers and consumers about market opportunities), and export promotion (developing export markets, with special priority for markets in western African or Caribbean Basin nations). Additional priorities include increasing awareness of PA hardwood lumber and value-added products, promoting PA Preferred® and PA Preferred Organic™ marketing, and promoting the Commonwealth's cider industry.



The Pennsylvania Agricultural Product Promotion, Education, and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations working on market research, development, and promotion of agricultural products grown, raised, or produced in Pennsylvania. Grants provide matching funds (up to 50%) for market research (identifying opportunities for PA agricultural products), education (educating producers and consumers about market opportunities), and export promotion (developing export markets, with special priority for markets in western African or Caribbean Basin nations). Additional priorities include increasing awareness of PA hardwood lumber and value-added products, promoting PA Preferred® and PA Preferred Organic™ marketing, and promoting the Commonwealth's cider industry.

Grants are open to nonprofit organizations involved in market research or the promotion of Pennsylvania agricultural products. Preference is given to organizations with experience marketing products internationally.

Stewardship

Matching grant covering up to 50% of project costs; minimum grant amount $1,000. Up to $381,810 was available for the 2025–2026 grant period.

Apply through the Single Application for Assistance online system. Applications closed Friday, October 2, 2026 at 5 p.m.; applications received outside that window were not considered. An application must include the applicant's name, business address, and contact information; a brief explanation of the applicant's involvement in agriculture and youth work; a choice between a direct or matching grant; and details of the project or equipment purchase. The Ag and Youth Advisory Board reviews complete, eligible applications and the Department decides based on its recommendation.

Sara Gligora

The Pennsylvania Agriculture and Youth Program Grant (part of the PA Farm Bill) offers direct and matching grants for youth-centered organizations, projects, programs, and equipment that promote agricultural, leadership, and vocational skills and peer relationships. It supports agriculture-and-youth work across the Commonwealth.



Eligible applicants are agriculture and youth organizations — any organization composed mainly of youth, or an organization with programs that benefit youth, that is organized to promote development in agriculture, community leadership, vocational training, and peer fellowship (the term includes a school district). Examples include Pennsylvania FFA, 4-H, Ag in the Classroom, and vocational education programs. Eligible projects include education or workforce-development seminars or field trips, agricultural safety training programs, and capital projects or equipment purchases.

Labor

$500,000 is available program-wide. Two grant types: (1) Direct, non-matching reimbursement grants up to $7,500 to defray the costs of an eligible non-capital project; (2) Matching reimbursement grants up to $25,000 for an eligible capital project or equipment purchase, where the grant covers no more than 50% of the project cost.

Grants are paid as reimbursement after the grantee completes purchases and submits invoices for the work completed; projects must be completed no later than June 30, 2028. Grant funds may not be used to pay or reimburse wages, salaries, or stipends of grant recipient staff, may not be sub-awarded, and may not reimburse costs already paid or reimbursed under another federal or state grant program.

Apply through the Commonwealth's Single Application for Assistance web portal: complete the online portion and upload the fillable PDF template application and the Excel budget template as addenda. Read the application instructions thoroughly first — failure to follow the prescribed format can disqualify an application. The most recent round closed November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM; funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. Check the program page for the next cycle.

Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program

The Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program provides schools and early learning centers with funding to improve access to healthy, local foods and to increase agriculture-education opportunities for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It connects children with fresh foods grown by Pennsylvania farmers, helps schools and early learning centers strengthen how they purchase local foods, and teaches students where their food comes from — fostering healthy eating habits while supporting Pennsylvania agriculture.



Applicants must be representatives of a K-8 grade school or an Early Childhood Education (ECE) center, and only schools or ECEs that participate in a federal child nutrition program may apply. Eligible project activities include training for teachers and staff, procuring local foods for cafeterias, classroom curricula and experiential learning, family and community involvement in education, field trips to local farms or agricultural operations, and school gardens for education or to supply the cafeteria.

Public Health

$15,000 maximum award per school, covering up to 75% of project costs; a minimum 25% cash or in-kind match is required. Reimbursement grant. $500,000 is available program-wide, awarded on a funds-available basis. Eligible costs include PA agricultural products (food), supplies, personnel, travel, critical equipment, and indirect costs (max 10%). Only 75% of a project may be used for local procurement unless 100% of the match is also documented local procurement.

The PA State Conservation Commission accepts 2026-27 applications from August 1, 2026 (PACS-certified and PA Farmland Preservation farms from July 1, 2026); first-come, first-served; deadline October 30, 2026. Mail to SCC REAP Tax Credit Program, 2301 N Cameron St, Harrisburg PA 17110-9408, or email RA-AGSCC-REAP@pa.gov.

Joel Semke

PA State Conservation Commission, REAP program

The REAP Tax Credit Program (established 2007, amended by Act 13 of 2019) incentivizes private investment in water-quality best management practices on agricultural operations in compliance with the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. Farmers, landowners, and businesses earn Pennsylvania state income-tax credits to offset the cost of implementing water-quality BMPs. First-come, first-served; administered by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission.



- Individuals or businesses subject to Pennsylvania income tax (Personal Income Tax, Corporate Net Income Tax or Bank Shares Tax).
- Agricultural operations need current Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for all acres operated.
- A current Nutrient or Manure Management Plan if animals are present or manure is applied.
- Full implementation of runoff BMPs for Animal Concentration Areas, if applicable. If plans or these BMPs are missing, the application must include them.
- Projects must treat existing water-quality concerns by reducing nitrogen, phosphorus or sediment pollution.
- One project per operation per funding round; PACS-certified farms may submit more.
- Non-farm businesses and individuals can earn credits by sponsoring an eligible farm project.

- Pennsylvania income-tax credits at three levels: 50% (eligible equipment, waste storage, field erosion BMPs, single-species cover crops); 75% (Animal Concentration Area BMPs, plans, riparian forest buffers); 90% (multi-species cover crops, stream crossings and livestock exclusion, extended riparian forest buffers, no-till equipment with a riparian forest buffer, cover crop roller/crimpers).
- Up to $250,000 in credits per agricultural operation over any seven-year period. $13 million in credits is available for fiscal year 2026.
- Credits pay PA income tax dollar-for-dollar for up to 15 years and can be sold or transferred one year after issuance.
- Credits are issued after the practice is installed or equipment is bought, and only for out-of-pocket costs; state or federal cost-share portions (such as EQIP or ACAP) don't count.

Apply via the Single Application for Assistance (grants.pa.gov). The FY 2026-27 round ran August 31, 2026 through October 16, 2026 (5:00 PM) and is now closed. Applications are scored on a 100-point scale. Reporting requires between four and ten photos plus a description of the grant's impact.

Dr. Jamie Green

Provides reimbursement grants to improve urban agriculture infrastructure in Pennsylvania — investing in the system, filling gaps, encouraging entities to work together, scaling operations, overcoming food deserts, and opening opportunities for social entrepreneurs. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.



Projects must be located in an urban municipality in Pennsylvania (at least 291 persons per square mile and at least 2,500 population, or more than 50% of population within a Census urbanized area). Two grant types: Microgrants (one-time projects, single-entity applicant) and Collaboration Grants (multi-partner cooperative or regional efforts). Eligible entities include agricultural producers/processors, nonprofits, local governments, for-profits (SBA small-business size), and tribal governments.

Reimbursement grant covering up to 85% of eligible project costs (15% applicant match). Microgrant: the lesser of $2,500 or 85% of costs (up to $50,000 of the pool is reserved for microgrants). Collaboration Grant: the lesser of $50,000 or 85% of costs. Maximum $100,000 per applicant per five-year period. Eligible costs: growing/harvesting/cold-storage equipment, greenhouses and hoop houses, utility connections/off-grid energy or water systems, contracted labor, soil remediation/amendments/testing, grow lighting, and contracted site design/planning. Ineligible: vehicles, computers/tablets/phones, rent, utility bills, software, land, livestock, animal feed, administrative costs, and in-kind services.

Apply online through the DCED Electronic Single Application, with program-specific items in the Addenda Section. Applications are scored on a 100-point scale. The 2025-26 application period ran through May 8, 2026.

Zach Myers

Supports the growth of very small meat and poultry processors in Pennsylvania by reimbursing the costs of opening a new processing operation or expanding a current one, including the cost of obtaining a USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) grant of inspection. Grants are limited to no more than $100,000 per applicant. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.



The applicant must be a very small meat and poultry processor and either currently operate under a grant of inspection or attest that it will obtain one upon completion of the approved project. A "very small establishment" is defined in 9 CFR 381.65(g)(1)(i). Covered types — Meat: beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, goat; Poultry: chicken, turkey, duck, goose, guinea, squab, and ratites (emu, ostrich, rhea); Eggs: chicken, turkey, duck, goose, guinea; Fish: catfish.

Nutrition & Food Safety

Reimbursement grant, up to $100,000 per applicant. No match is required except up to 85% reimbursement on the purchase of meat/poultry slaughter or processing equipment or supplies (a 15% applicant match on equipment; this excludes structures, buildings, and roofing). Eligible: consulting/technical support; professional training and education; up to 85% of equipment/supplies; employee-safety equipment/supplies. Grants cannot pay wages/salaries, in-kind contributions, or any project part already reimbursed by another federal or state grant program. Program pool up to no less than $500,000.

List of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Funding Opportunities