On March 11, the Department of Agriculture announced it is now accepting applications for $1 million in Farm Vitality Grants to help producers transition to organic farming. The deadline for applications is April 3.
The program funds professional planning services for farms for a variety of needs from generational transition planning to organic transition assistance. Since opening, the program has been approving and funding projects as they come in on a funds-available basis.
The maximum grant amount is $7,500 and is limited to 75 percent of the project cost.
“We live in a society where there’s a real desire for organic, local food,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “These Farm Vitality grants were meant to strengthen Pennsylvania’s farms, and what better way to do that than by helping them to break into new markets.”
Pennsylvania is currently third in the nation for organic and home to more than 1,000 certified organic farms and more than 93,000 acres of certified organic land. Governor Wolf’s vision is to make Pennsylvania the nation’s leading organic state.
According to the U.S. Organic Trade Association, in 2018 U.S. organic sales reached more than $52 billion, up 6.3 percent from the previous year.
“In addition to the demand for organic, which continues to skyrocket year after year, consumers want to buy local,” added Redding. “They want to know where their food comes; to feel a connection to those working the land and feeding their families.”
Farmers interested in taking advantage of the program should visit the Farm Vitality Grant Program webpage. Questions should be directed to Morgan Sheffield by calling 717-787-3568 or send an email to: msheffield@pa.gov.
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[Posted: March 11, 2020] PA Environment Digest
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