Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding called for proposals for $500,000 in PA Farm Bill Agriculture & Youth Grants. Redding invited applicants whose projects are aimed at preparing youth to succeed in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry.
"To meet increasingly complex challenges brought on by climate change and rapidly evolving technology, we need youth who are innovative problem-solvers," Secretary Redding said. "These grants help us cultivate and inspire the generation that will feed us tomorrow."
The Ag and Youth Program provides direct grants of up to $7,500 and matching grants of up to $25,000 to support projects, programs, and equipment purchases by youth-run organizations, and those with programs that benefit youth or promote development in agriculture, community leadership, vocational training, and peer fellowship. Past funded projects include workforce development programs, seminars and field trips, agricultural safety training, capital projects, and equipment purchases aimed at leading students to opportunities in agriculture and building the future workforce that Pennsylvania's agriculture industry needs to succeed.
The 2021-22 Ag and Youth Program funded 57 projects in 33 Pennsylvania counties.
Grant applications must be submitted online through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development Electronic Single Application. Applications are due by 4:59 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2022.
Full grant guidelines are published in the Aug. 20 edition of the PA Bulletin.
Pennsylvania agriculture is a $132.5 billion industry that provides more than 593,000 jobs - a 2.4 percent increase in the size of the workforce since 2018. As the industry innovates, and as current workers retire, new opportunities are continually available, with jobs ranging from farm managers to high-tech equipment mechanics, and from field biologists to entomologists to veterinarians. All must be equipped to adapt to changing technology and climate challenges.
Learn more about opportunities in agriculture at agriculture.pa.gov/kidsarethefuture.
Find a map of previous grant recipients and details of other PA Farm Bill grants and initiatives to grow and sustain Pennsylvania agriculture at agriculture.pa.gov/pafarmbill.
Photos and video of students engaged in a 2021-22 funded project during a tour with Sec. Redding and Rep. Pam Delissio, who sponsored the initial legislation creating the grants, can be found at PAcast.com.
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