Wolf Administration Announces PA Farm Bill Grant Funding to Increase Agriculture Education Opportunities

Press Release

Governor Tom Wolf today announced the approval of $500,000 in Ag and Youth Grants to fund 55 projects that will improve access to agriculture education in the commonwealth, with a goal of addressing the looming 75,000 workforce deficit Pennsylvania's agriculture industry faces in the coming decade.

"Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, and agribusiness owners," said Gov. Wolf. "This $500,000 is the seed to tomorrow's bountiful future for Pennsylvania agriculture."

In July of this year, Governor Wolf signed Act 40 to reenact Pennsylvania's Ag and Youth Grant Program as part of the state's first-ever Pennsylvania Farm Bill. The program, funded at $500,000, provides youth organizations direct, non-matching grants of up to $7,500 to defray costs of eligible projects and matching reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 for capital projects or equipment purchases. Eligible projects included those that are for education or workforce development seminars or field trips; agricultural safety training programs; and capital projects or equipment.

"All youth should have access to the same opportunities for growth and career development," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "These programs are urban, rural, or suburban, and they all further our mission to grow the industry's future leaders. It's experiences in these programs that we hope will influence PA youth for a lifetime."

The $500,000 in ag and youth grants approved for funding will benefit 55 projects in 25 counties. The approved projects include the following direct grant projects:

Allegheny County

Bible Center -- Oasis Project, $7,500, urban agriculture programming
Pennsylvania State University, $5893, community pollinator garden
Blair County

Williamsburg Community Junior Senior High School, $7,500, equipment
Bradford County

Pennsylvania State University, $4,500, cheese-making program
Canton Area School District, $7,250, hydroponics equipment
Bucks County

Pennsylvania State University, $3,000, Animal and Veterinary Science Clinic
Centre County

Pennsylvania State University, $7,500, robotics program
Chester County

Chester County FFA, $7500, equipment
Chester County Intermediate Unit, $6,900, Animal and Veterinary Science Program
Octorara Area School District, $3,500, drone purchase for precision agriculture
Clarion County

Pennsylvania State University, $6,894, community pollinator garden
Clinton County

Keystone Central School District Career and Technology Center, $5,500, equipment
Columbia County

Central Columbia FFA, $7,500, equipment
Cumberland County

West Shore School District, $3,510, aquaponics equipment
The Gardens at Boiling Springs, $7,360, hydroponics equipment
Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture, $7,500, scholarships for 15 schools in the commonwealth to host the Mobile Ag Lab.
Erie County

Erie School District, $6,010, urban ag program
Union City Area School District, $7,500, equipment
Franklin County

Franklin County 4-H Goat Club, $7,500, purchase of animal pens
Franklin County Career Tech, $7,350, equipment
Franklin County FFA, $1,500, equipment
Greene County

West Greene School District, $7,490, fume extraction unit for ag mechanic program
Jefferson County

Brockway School District, $7,500, equipment
Montgomery County

Stewart Middle School Garden, $2,000, garden program
Montour County

Danville Area High School, $7,500, iron working equipment
Northumberland County

Warrior Run School District, $5,862, hydroponic equipment
Perry County

LEAF Project Inc., $7,500, community garden program
Philadelphia County

Vepo Farms, $7,500, hydroponics equipment and specialized programs for students with autism
Philly Goat Project, $7,500, middle school livestock program
The U School, $5,120, expand intensive senior year agriculture CTE program
VietLead, $5,120, urban ag program
Saul High School -- Philadelphia School District, $7,500, laptops for CTE program
Graced Early Learning Center, $7,500, elementary ag program
Boy Scouts of America's Cradle of Liberty Council, $7,500, ag mentoring program
Norris Square Neighborhood Project, $6,500, heritage crop program
Tioga County

Wellsboro Area School District, $2,000, Mobile Ag Science Lab
Washington County

Burgettstown Area School District, $7,500, creation of an FFA Chapter
Wayne County

Wayne Highlands School District, $7,500, Mobile Ag Lab
York County

Northern York School District $7,500 to Gifford Pinchot FFA for enhancements to their middle school programming and workforce development through industry tours and professional certification courses.
Edgar Fahs Smith STEAM Academy $7500 to fund the purchase of hydroponics equipment for students to grow seeds, which will then be transferred to areas where students are working to restore native habitats.
York County Libraries $7500 for York County Libraries SummerQuest to incorporate gardening and farm field trips to expose children to agriculture.
And the following 12 matching grant projects:

Allegheny County

Hilltop Urban Farm, $25,000, farm expansion
Bedford County

Bedford County Tech Center, $8,000, ag science structure
Centre County

Pennsylvania State University, $25,000, high tunnels for student farm
Chester County

Octorara Area School District, $12,500, precision ag equipment
Greene County

West Greene School District, $25,000, ag ed facility upgrade
Lancaster County

Penn Manor School District, $21,154, ag mechanics equipment
Lycoming County

Montoursville Area School District, $25,000, upgrade CNC equipment
Montgomery County

The Farm, Home, and Youth Foundation of Montgomery County, $25,000, 4-H Center upgrade
Variety, $14,000, to engage youth with disabilities in farm to table production
Philadelphia County

School District of Philadelphia, $25,000, Fox Chase Farm program expansiom
JASTECH/Overbrook Environmental Education Center, $7,500, purchase high tunnel
Tioga County

North Penn Liberty -- Southern Tioga School District $25,000 for a building to house the Ag Production Career and Technical Education program and FFA Chapter.
Earlier today at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Education Executive Deputy David Volkman had the opportunity to meet some of the youth who will benefit from the approved funding, including members of the Pennsylvania FFA and 4-H, and LEAF, a group that cultivates leadership through hands-on agricultural experiences for youth from diverse backgrounds.

"Pennsylvania has a rich history in agriculture and in connecting students with the industry through organizations like FFA and 4-H," said Department of Education Executive Deputy Secretary David Volkman. "The grants will allow even more students to learn about these vital businesses and the career opportunities they offer."

Representatives Eddie Day Pashinski and Pam Delissio were champions for Act 40, which reinstated the Ag and Youth Grant Program in Governor Wolf's PA Farm Bill.

"As a former teacher, I know how valuable hands-on learning can be for students -- that's why I believed it was critical the Pennsylvania Farm Bill included funding for the Ag and Youth Grant Program," said Representative Pashinski. "These grants will provide invaluable experiences, helping to inspire our next generation of farmers and producers."

"It was a privilege to have prime sponsored the Ag and Youth grant bill as part of the historic PA Farm bill," said State Representative Pamela A. DeLissio. "Even though HB1518 became incorporated into SB660, it is benefiting many youth organizations and helping to ensure future generations of farmers and many other agriculture related careers."

For more information on the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, visit agriculture.pa.gov.

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