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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding What was announced today is PA Agriculture Business Development Center is accepting applications for $500,000 in PA Farm Bill Farm Vitality Planning Grants, which will be funded in the 2023-24 budget. This grant funds a strategic business plan to expand, diversify, or transition ownership of a farm.
Governor Josh Shapiro Proposed continued funding for the Farm Vitality Grant and other PA Farm Bills in the 2024-25 budget to grow Pennsylvania agriculture through smart investments in economic development, job creation, and innovation.
“Strategic business planning is critical for farmers who are looking for what their farm needs to not just get by, but continue to thrive for years to come.” Secretary Redding Said. “Whether passing the farm on to the next generation, expanding, innovating to bring in new revenue and meeting consumer demand, or simply changing with the times, the Farm Vitality Grant helps farmers analyze the market, We can help you implement financial planning, risk management, etc. These grants provide you with the expertise you need to realize your vision and protect your heritage, and are one of the first real, tangible solutions. It’s just one thing. Shapiro administration invests in the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvania’s agricultural people and the people they feed. ”
Created under the historic PA Farm Bill of 2019, the Agricultural Business Development Center Farm Vitality Grant provides $2.2 million in project planning and financial and technical expertise to support growth opportunities for 316 Pennsylvania farms. We have supported the above. This includes plans to help 115 conservation farm owners maintain productivity and protect the investments made by farmers and the public to protect their land from development.
Farmers and prospective farmers are eligible for up to $7,500 to cover up to 75% of project planning costs. Applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted.
Apply online through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s single electronic application. Complete program guidelines are published in his February 17 edition of the PA Bulletin.
Farm Vitality Planning Grants can be combined with other PA Farm Bill funds to help plan and finance farm transitions, including the programs below and others.
- New Farmer Tax Credit Program. Provides tax credits as an incentive to those who sell or rent agricultural assets to new farmers. Thirty-eight farmers received the Beginning Tax Credit, and in total they saved $760,829 in taxes that they are helping pass on to the next generation of farmers.
- Through the Beginning Farm Real Estate Transfer Tax Exemption Program, the Department recognized 54 beginning farmers who purchased preserved farms and generated $612,541 in tax savings on the sale of those farms.
- Next Generation Farmer Loan Program. Lower capital purchase rates for farmers using federal tax-exempt loans to help young families finance farm expansions and purchases. In 2023, 17 farmers qualified for $9.26 million in low-interest, tax-free loans.
For planning resources, financing and other information to support the future of agribusiness, visit the Agribusiness Development Center at agriculture.pa.gov.
To support the future of Pennsylvania agriculture on family farms and communities across the state, Governor Shapiro’s budget recognizes the agricultural sector as a key economic driver. To continue Pennsylvania’s national legacy as an agricultural leader, the 2024-25 budget proposes the following investments:
- $10.3 million In the area of agricultural innovation, we help support and attract new agricultural businesses, including energy and conservation efforts, and continue to build the future of American agriculture right here in Pennsylvania.
- $5.6 million Reform the dairy margin compensation system to protect dairy farmers from harmful price fluctuations.
- 5 million dollars A new state laboratory in western Pennsylvania will provide much-needed testing capacity and help quickly diagnose and mitigate future highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks across the state.
- $1.7 Millions of pieces of data are being utilized in cloud computing solutions and the migration of state laboratory data to more advanced information management systems.
- $655,000 Funding an innovative new state program for agricultural seed certification and trade assistance that enhances Pennsylvania’s role as a national and international agricultural leader.
- $145,000 A new dog-based pest detection program prevents pest infestations without the use of expensive and potentially harmful pesticides.
You can read Governor Shapiro’s book Click here for an overview of the entire budget.
The full text of the Governor’s Economic Development Strategy is available at the following link: PAGetsItDone.com.
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