Pennsylvania Agriculture and Youth Program Grant

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.

$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.

Apply through the Single Application for Assistance online system. Applications are open until Friday, October 2, 2026 at 5 p.m.; applications received outside that window are 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.