By Blake Jackson
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has announced that the PA Agricultural Business Development Center is accepting applications for Farm Vitality Planning Grants, which provide up to $15,000 to help farmers expand, diversify, or transition their operations to new ownership.
Funding comes through the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, which received $500,000 in the state’s 2026-27 budget to support farm business planning and long-term sustainability.
“Pennsylvania farmers know how to grow crops and raise livestock, but growing a successful business takes planning,” Secretary Redding said.
“These grants give farmers access to the expertise they need to make informed decisions about expanding their operations, diversifying income, or preparing the next generation to take the reins. When we invest in planning today, we strengthen family farms, rural communities, and Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy for decades to come.”
Established in 2019, the Farm Vitality Grant Program has invested more than $3.8 million in planning services and technical assistance, benefiting 482 farms across the state.
In 2025, the Shapiro Administration increased the maximum reimbursement amount, allowing eligible farmers to receive up to 75% of project planning costs, capped at $15,000.
The grants can be paired with other Pennsylvania Farm Bill programs, including the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program, Beginning Farmer Realty Transfer Tax Exemptions, and the Next Generation Farmer Loan Program, which support farm transfers, purchases, and expansions.
Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget also includes funding for agricultural innovation, freeze disaster recovery assistance, avian influenza education, and continued support for the Pennsylvania Farm Bill. These investments are designed to strengthen the agricultural economy, encourage innovation, and help farmers prepare for future generations of production and growth.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy