Pennsylvania Farm Vitality Planning Grant

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

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.

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.

• Budget & Service Provider Summary Template (Excel)

• Step-by-Step Application Guide (PDF)