August 27, 2026 – Senator Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) today announced that the Pennsylvania Agricultural Business Development Center is accepting applications for Farm Vitality Planning Grants of up to $15,000 to help farmers strengthen their businesses, plan for the future and ensure their farms remain viable for generations to come.
The 2026-27 state budget includes $500,000 for the PA Farm Bill grant program, which supports strategic business planning for farmers looking to expand, diversify their operations or transition ownership to the next generation.
“Pennsylvania agriculture is a critical part of our economy, and we need to make sure our farmers have the resources to remain competitive and successful for generations to come,” said Senator Nick Miller. “These grants will help farmers make strategic investments, grow and diversify their operations, and plan for the transition to the next generation. Supporting our farmers today helps protect the future of agriculture in Lehigh and Northampton counties and across Pennsylvania.”
The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program helps cover the cost of professional services that assist farmers with business planning, ownership transitions, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and financial and technical planning.
Farm Vitality Planning Grants can be combined with other PA Farm Bill programs, including:
- Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program, which provides tax credits to those who sell or rent agricultural assets to beginning farmers.
- Beginning Farmer Realty Transfer Tax Exemptions, which have helped 82 beginning farmers purchase preserved farms, generating $918,269 in tax savings on those transactions.
- Next Generation Farmer Loan Program, which uses federal tax-exempt financing to reduce interest rates for farmers making capital purchases, including farm expansions and acquisitions.
Farmers interested in applying for a Farm Vitality Planning Grant are encouraged to visit and apply through PA.Gov.
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