The Shapiro Administration has awarded more than $600,000 in PA Farm Bill Agriculture & Youth Grants, including funding for two projects in Berks County aimed at expanding agricultural education and career pathways for local students.
The grants, announced during the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show, total $600,345 and support 62 projects across 33 counties, along with one statewide initiative. The funding is designed to inspire and equip young Pennsylvanians to pursue careers in the state’s agriculture industry, which contributes an estimated $132.5 billion annually to the commonwealth’s economy.
In Berks County, Alvernia University received a $7,500 grant for its “Seeds of Discovery: Raised Bed Pilot Project,” while the Brandywine Heights Area School District was awarded $7,500 to support a Poultry Science Program. Both projects are intended to provide hands-on learning experiences that introduce students to agricultural concepts, skills, and potential career paths.
The announcement was made during a Career Expo that connected more than 2,200 Pennsylvania students with career opportunities offered by dozens of agricultural businesses. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, along with Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker and Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe, highlighted the role of agriculture education in preparing the next generation of workers.
“Pennsylvania youth are the fertile ground that will grow our nation’s prosperity in the future,” Redding said. “The Shapiro Administration is committed to investing in opportunities every young person needs to succeed. Our investments in relevant agriculture education today will help Pennsylvania agriculture businesses meet increasingly complex challenges tomorrow.”
The funding is supported through Governor Josh Shapiro’s bipartisan 2025–26 budget, which marks the seventh consecutive year of Agriculture & Youth Grants through the PA Farm Bill. Since 2019, the program has invested $3.5 million in 377 projects statewide focused on youth education, workforce development, and agricultural career exploration.
State officials noted that the grants complement broader efforts to expand apprenticeships and career and technical education opportunities. The 2025–26 state budget includes $183 million for career and technical education and apprenticeships, representing an increase of more than 50 percent compared to funding levels when the governor first took office.
“Agriculture has always been at the heart of Pennsylvania’s economy, and it continues to offer meaningful, family-sustaining careers for the next generation,” Walker said. “Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, we’re investing in hands-on training through apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships that prepare Pennsylvanians for careers on the farm and in the many trades and industries that support agriculture.”
Education Secretary Carrie Rowe emphasized the importance of early exposure to agriculture and related careers for students across the state.
“For many students, agriculture education is the first time they realize something powerful: There is a place for me here,” Rowe said. “As Governor Shapiro often says, investments in today’s students are investments in Pennsylvania’s future.”
PA Farm Bill Agriculture & Youth Grants provide direct funding of up to $7,500 and matching grants of up to $25,000 for projects, programs, and equipment purchases that benefit youth or promote agriculture, community leadership, vocational training, and peer networking. Past projects have included agriculture career seminars, field trips, safety training, capital improvements, and equipment purchases.
