PA Sustainable Agriculture Program
Forecasted
PA Sustainable Agriculture Program supports farmers and nonprofit educational institutions adopting sustainable practices and alternative crops to reduce farm inputs and runoff and protect soil and water quality.
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2027 (application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Reimbursement grants up to $25,000, or up to $50,000 with a dollar-for-dollar match on the additional amount
Summary: Supports sustainable farming and alternative crops that improve water quality and reduce reliance on off-farm inputs.
Key Information: Projects must be in an eligible EPA Most Effective Basins area and address nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution.
Description
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture Program provides reimbursement grants to farmers and nonprofit educational institutions adopting sustainable practices or alternative crops. Established under Pennsylvania’s Sustainable Agriculture Act, it aims to reduce farm operating expenses and reliance on purchased inputs, enhance the value of farm products, and protect soil and water quality.
The current funding allocation focuses on projects in the EPA’s Most Effective Basins (MEB) regions. Projects must improve water quality by reducing nutrient or sediment runoff from agricultural operations through approved practices. They must also reduce expenses through ecologically beneficial practices, improve soil quality and fertility, or reduce the need for off-farm inputs such as synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides.
