Keystone Today

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has called for grant proposals for projects that would expand Pennsylvania agricultural sales and exports.

According to a release on July 5, the Agriculture Department will be awarding $303,000 in matching funds to nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania to reimburse up to half the costs regarding promotional and educational projects focused on increasing consumer awareness, sales or grow export markets.

"Pennsylvania food, fiber and hardwood products are the finest in the world and nonprofit associations are key partners in telling that story," Secretary Redding said. "We're looking for innovative marketers and educators who can help tell Pennsylvania Agriculture's story to consumers here and abroad. These grants are ultimately a win-win-win for our agriculture businesses, the more than 593,000 Pennsylvanians whose jobs depend on them, and for our economy.”

The grants will be given to nonprofit agricultural promotion and marketing organizations, the release said. Last year $300,000 was awarded to 16 nonprofit organizations. This was for projects including festivals, tourism events, regional buy local campaigns and other promotions of products from Pennsylvania. 

The projects for 2022 can promote items like wine, wool, hardwoods, honey, fruit, vegetables, herbs, meat, poultry and dairy. They just need to be an agricultural product from Pennsylvania.

Applications can be submitted from now until Friday, Aug. 5 and can be submitted online at the PA Department of Community and Economic Development Electronic Single Application. Guidelines for the grant program can be found at the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

For more information about the application contact Grant Coordinator Morgan Sheffield at msheffield@pa.gov or call 717-787-3568.