The Shapiro Administration Announces Expanded Funding to Grow Farm Businesses

Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding introduced today that the PA Agricultural Enterprise Development Heart has boosted funding by $200,000 to satisfy demand from customers for Farm Vitality Organizing Grants. The PA Farm Bill grants fund strategic organization scheduling to grow, diversify, or changeover possession of farms to the upcoming era. This new funding is the latest instance of Governor Shapiro’s commitment to the very long-expression development and sustainability of the agricultural business and rural communities in Pennsylvania.

“Governor Shapiro is aware of Pennsylvania agriculture is a essential element of our Commonwealth’s economic climate and a pillar of so a lot of of our communities. For each and every one of Pennsylvania’s 52,700 farm family members, business enterprise organizing is far more than just expanding their base line,” Secretary Redding claimed. “It is preserving their relatives legacy. Farm Vitality Grants aid bring to the desk the encounter, in-depth knowledge, current market analysis, and danger management knowledge that is vital to recognizing their eyesight, and sustaining not only their farm’s potential, but Pennsylvania’s foreseeable future.”

The program, initiated as part of the historic PA Farm Monthly bill in 2019, has acknowledged 308 applications to day, funding much more than $2,003,439 in undertaking setting up, monetary and complex abilities to feed farm development and sustainability.

Farmers and possible farmers are suitable for up to $7,500, to deal with up to 75% of job organizing prices. Applications for the program exceeded the funding originally available, and the PA Agriculture Small business Growth Heart has set apart extra dollars to meet demand for the program.

Apps will be acknowledged until cash are fatigued. Apply on the net via the Office of Group and Economic Development’s one electronic application. Whole plan tips are released in the February 18 edition of the PA Bulletin.

Farm Vitality Setting up Grants can be combined with other PA Farm Invoice funding, which include these programs, to aid prepare and finance farm transitions:

• Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program, which supplies tax credits as an incentive to those who promote or hire agricultural belongings to commencing farmers. 20-1 farm house owners have been given Starting Farmer Tax Credits, saving them collectively $343,009 on their taxes and supporting them pass the torch to the up coming generation to acquire up farming.
• Beginning Farmer Realty Transfer Tax Exemptions by way of which the division has licensed 44 starting farmers getting preserved farms and producing $492,311 in tax discounts on the sale of individuals farms.
• Subsequent Era Farmer Loan System, which takes advantage of federal tax-exempt financing to decrease a farmer’s interest level for funds purchases, these kinds of as the obtain of farmland 2022 to aid younger family members fund farm expansions and buys.

For planning means, financing and other info to guidance your farm business’ long term, check out the Agricultural Business enterprise Advancement Heart at agriculture.pa.gov.

For a lot more about other PA Farm invoice initiatives and investments to aid Pennsylvania agriculture, pay a visit to agriculture.pa.gov/pafarmbill.

MEDIA Contact: Shannon Powers, [email protected], 717.603.2056

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