Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program

The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to support the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania farms. The program funds professional services that help farm operators plan for the future of their operations. Supported planning objectives include improving business and management strategies, transitioning farm ownership and operations to new people, transferring ownership and operations within a family, diversifying agricultural production, expanding an operation or seeking financing for growth, and helping farms subject to conservation easements remain profitable while protecting public investments. The program is therefore focused on planning, professional expertise, and farm business continuity rather than capital development. The grant provides $15,000 and covers 75 percent of project costs. Because the grant covers only 75 percent of project costs, the applicant is responsible for the remaining 25 percent. In-kind support cannot be counted toward the applicant's contribution. The program operates on a reimbursement basis, with reimbursement based on approved project costs incurred by the applicant during the applicable grant fiscal year. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will make up to $500,000 available for program grants during 2026-2027, and awards are subject to the availability of funds. Costs incurred from July 1, 2026, through execution of the grant agreement must be included in the approved work plan in order to qualify for reimbursement. Eligible expenses center on professional services and related planning documents. Examples include services from accountants, certified public accountants, business consultants, financial planners, appraisers, attorneys, facilitators, and mediators. Supported work may include profitability and feasibility studies, financial guidance, financial statements such as income statements, cash flow statements and balance sheets, business planning services, and business software recommended by professionals, such as QuickBooks. Appraisal services may be supported when directly related to succession. Attorney services may include preparation and filing of legal documents and establishment of a new entity with the next generation. Facilitators may assist with farm succession meetings and communication, while mediators may assist farm families experiencing succession conflicts. The program does not support capital improvements or several other categories of expenses. Ineligible costs include the purchase of land or a farm, facilities, equipment, buildings, remodeling, repairs and maintenance, and installation of conservation practices. Conservation plans, Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control plans, manure management plans, and nutrient management plans are also ineligible. Surveying and subdivision costs are not eligible even when related to succession, and taxes associated with property transfers are excluded. Insurance premiums and related costs, meals, mileage, and other travel expenses are likewise ineligible. These restrictions reinforce the program's focus on professional planning and advisory services rather than physical improvements or routine operating expenses. The source describes the program as serving those planning for the future of a farm and specifically focuses on Pennsylvania farms, but it does not provide a definitive list of eligible applicant entity types such as individuals, corporations, partnerships, nonprofits, or particular business structures. No sub-state geographic restrictions are stated. Applicants should therefore rely on the program's application materials for any applicant-type qualifications not contained in the supplied program information. Projects should align with the stated purposes of business planning, transition or succession, diversification, expansion, financing preparation, or the continued profitability of farms with conservation easements. Applications must be submitted through Pennsylvania's Single Application for Assistance online application system. The Department will accept applications received on or after August 8, 2026, and applications remain available until program funds are exhausted. No letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, or other pre-application gating requirement is identified in the supplied information. Additional application resources include a Budget and Service Provider Summary Template in Excel format and a Step-by-Step Application Guide in PDF format. The source does not provide a fixed application closing date, award notification date, evaluation criteria, or recurring annual application schedule. Questions about the Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program may be directed to Neil Imes by telephone at 717-787-5539 or by email at nimes@pa.gov. Applicants should ensure that proposed professional services and associated costs are included in the project work plan, that requested expenses fall within the program's eligible planning and professional-service categories, and that the required applicant share is supported with allowable resources rather than in-kind contributions. Since grants are awarded based on available funds and applications are accepted until those funds are exhausted, the availability of program funding determines how long the application window remains open.

Focus the request on eligible professional planning services; ensure reimbursable project costs are included in the work plan; do not use in-kind support toward the applicant contribution; exclude listed capital improvements and other ineligible expenses; submit while funds remain available.