Financial Assistance Programs through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Farm Vitality Planning Grant helps fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm. It is designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania’s farms through business planning, efficient transitions to ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers.
Beginning Farmer Realty Transfer Tax Exemption is available for the transfer of preserved farmland to a qualified beginning farmer.
The Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant provides funding in the form of a reimbursement grant to eligible applicants seeking to improve urban agriculture infrastructure in Pennsylvania. These grants will build out the infrastructure of urban agriculture by investing in the system, filling gaps, encouraging entities to work together, finding ways to bring operations to a greater scale, overcoming food deserts, and opening opportunities for people to become social entrepreneurs.
The Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant provides funding to reimburse some portion of the costs associated with meeting federal inspection and certification guidelines during the planning and start-up periods for a very small meat processor operating within this commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC) works to ensure the wise use of Pennsylvania’s natural resources and to protect and restore the natural environment through the conservation of its soil, water, and related resources. The Agriculture-Linked Investment (AgriLink) Program provides low-interest loans to assist farmers in implementing water-quality best practices (BMPs) that are consistent with the requirements of the PA Clean Streams Law.
The Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program was developed to strengthen Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy and protect prime farmland. This program enables state and county governments to purchase conservation easements from farmers.
The Conservation Excellence Grant (CEG) reimburses farmers in Pennsylvania who implement best farming methods.
The Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP) Program– enables farmers, landowner, and businesses to earn income tax credits for implementing best management practices (BMPs) that will enhance farm production and protect natural resources.