Agricultural & Youth Grants (2026-27)

Agricultural & Youth Grants (2026-27) is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. These grants support agricultural education, leadership development, career exploration, and workforce training opportunities for young people, including those gaining skills with drones and classroom equipment.

Apply for the ​Agriculture and Youth Program Grant | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Apply for the ​Agriculture and Youth Program Grant The Pennsylvania Ag & Youth Grant Program offers direct and matching grants for youth-centered organizations, projects, programs, and equipment to promote agricultural, leadership, and vocational skills, along with peer relationships. Applications are open until Friday, October 2, 2026 at 5 p. m.

Eligible projects include one or more of the following: Education or workforce development seminars or field trips Agricultural safety training programs Capital projects or equipment purchases Eligible projects include one or more of the following: Education or workforce development seminars or field trips Agricultural safety training programs Capital projects or equipment purchases Agriculture and youth organizations Any organization composed mainly of youth, or an organization with programs that benefit youth, and organized to promote development in the areas of agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer fellowship.

The term includes a school district. Agriculture and youth organizations Any organization composed mainly of youth, or an organization with programs that benefit youth, and organized to promote development in the areas of agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer fellowship. The term includes a school district.

$500,000 is available for grants for two different grant types that can be awarded under the program: Direct, non-matching reimbursement grants of up to $7,500 to defray costs of an eligible project, other than a capital project. Matching reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 to defray the costs of an eligible capital project or equipment purchase, where the grant covers no more than 50% of the project cost.

$500,000 is available for grants for two different grant types that can be awarded under the program: Direct, non-matching reimbursement grants of up to $7,500 to defray costs of an eligible project, other than a capital project. Matching reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 to defray the costs of an eligible capital project or equipment purchase, where the grant covers no more than 50% of the project cost.

An application for a grant under the Program must include: The applicant's name, business address, and contact information. A brief explanation of how the applicant is involved in agriculture and youth work. A choice between a direct grant or a matching grant, as detailed in section 5.

Details of the project or equipment purchase seeking grant funding. \r\n \r\n The Ag and Youth Advisory Board will review complete and eligible applications. The Department will then decide whether to approve or reject an application based on the Board's recommendation.

\r\n Applications must be submitted through the Single Application for Assistance online application system until Friday, October 2, 2026 at 5 p. m.. Applications received outside of that application window will not be considered or reviewed.

\r\n For more details, click here . An application for a grant under the Program must include: The applicant's name, business address, and contact information. A brief explanation of how the applicant is involved in agriculture and youth work.

A choice between a direct grant or a matching grant, as detailed in section 5. Details of the project or equipment purchase seeking grant funding. The Ag and Youth Advisory Board will review complete and eligible applications.

The Department will then decide whether to approve or reject an application based on the Board's recommendation. Applications must be submitted through the Single Application for Assistance online application system until Friday, October 2, 2026 at 5 p. m..

Applications received outside of that application window will not be considered or reviewed. For more details, click here . Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Ag and Youth Grant?

The Ag and Youth Grants support projects that create and sustain agriculture education and workforce development programs for youth. Past grants and projects can be found on the right column of this page. The Ag and Youth Grants support projects that create and sustain agriculture education and workforce development programs for youth.

Past grants and projects can be found on the right column of this page. Who is considered an eligible applicant for these grants? Eligible applicants are organizations composed mainly of youth or an organization with programs that benefit youth and whose organization is organized to promote development in the areas of agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer fellowship.

\r\n This includes school districts. Eligible applicants are organizations composed mainly of youth or an organization with programs that benefit youth and whose organization is organized to promote development in the areas of agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer fellowship. This includes school districts.

Who is considered “youth? ” Under the ag and youth grant program, “youth” is considered any individual 24 years of age or younger. Under the ag and youth grant program, “youth” is considered any individual 24 years of age or younger.

What are the different grants available through this program? Direct grants and matching grants. \r\n Direct grants include award amounts up to $7,500 for Eligible projects, including Capital projects, and do not require a match of funds.

Matching grants include award amounts up to $25,000 for Capital projects only, and require the grantee to match the grant in an amount equal to the grant award, which cannot exceed more than 50% of the Capital project cost. Direct grants and matching grants. Direct grants include award amounts up to $7,500 for Eligible projects, including Capital projects, and do not require a match of funds.

Matching grants include award amounts up to $25,000 for Capital projects only, and require the grantee to match the grant in an amount equal to the grant award, which cannot exceed more than 50% of the Capital project cost. What are eligible projects for these grants?

Eligible projects can include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following activities: Creation or support of an educational or workforce development program, project, or experience; Educational field trips and seminars; Career exploration activities; Eligible projects can include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following activities: Creation or support of an educational or workforce development program, project, or experience; Educational field trips and seminars; Career exploration activities; What is considered a capitol project?

A capital project is an activity to acquire, develop, improve or maintain a Capital asset. \r\n Capital assets are tangible assets with a useful life longer than a year and is not intended for sale in the regular course of operations. Capital assets are generally buildings and building components, laboratories, machinery or equipment.

A capital project is an activity to acquire, develop, improve or maintain a Capital asset. Capital assets are tangible assets with a useful life longer than a year and is not intended for sale in the regular course of operations. Capital assets are generally buildings and building components, laboratories, machinery or equipment.

What are some examples of eligible costs?

Eligible costs may include, but are not limited to: Costs related to field trips, seminars, and other events and experiences that relate to Agriculture education or workforce development; Equipment purchases (examples include, but are not limited to: laboratory equipment or components thereof, agricultural equipment or components thereof, greenhouse structures or components thereof, watering systems or components thereof, gardening supplies); Costs related to facility or building improvement; and Eligible costs may include, but are not limited to: Costs related to field trips, seminars, and other events and experiences that relate to Agriculture education or workforce development; Equipment purchases (examples include, but are not limited to: laboratory equipment or components thereof, agricultural equipment or components thereof, greenhouse structures or components thereof, watering systems or components thereof, gardening supplies); Costs related to facility or building improvement; and What are ineligible costs?

Ineligible costs include but are not limited to the following: Staffing, wages or other personnel costs incurred by the grant recipient; Costs not included in the Eligible project; and Costs not included in the application’s Work Plan and Budget.

Ineligible costs include but are not limited to the following: Staffing, wages or other personnel costs incurred by the grant recipient; Costs not included in the Eligible project; and Costs not included in the application’s Work Plan and Budget. If awarded, when will grantees receive funds? The Ag and Youth grants are reimbursement grants.

Grantees must complete purchases and submit invoices for the work completed in order to receive reimbursement. The Ag and Youth grants are reimbursement grants. Grantees must complete purchases and submit invoices for the work completed in order to receive reimbursement.

If you have any questions, please email Sara Gligora . If you have any questions, please email Sara Gligora .