Farmer's Guide to the PA Department of Agriculture

Farmer's Guide to Pennsylvania State Funding and Grant Programs

How to Start a Farm: Beginning Farmers and Ranchers - USDA offers dedicated help to beginning farmers and ranchers. USDA considers anyone who has operated a farm or ranch for less than ten years to be a beginning farmer or rancher. months to implement practices. 

Best Management Practices Grants - Various grants are available to the Berks County Conservation District and its partners at different times of the year. These grants are usually available to certain geographic areas/watersheds and/or practices. It generally takes 1 year to receive the funding and another 3-12 months to implement practices.

Manure Management Requirements and Basics of Manure Management Requirements - The land application of animal manures and agricultural process wastewater must follow the standards for development and implementation of a plan to manage nutrients for water quality protection using standards outlined in the Manure Management Manual unless the requirements described in 25 Pa. Code § 91.36(b) are met in another way such as a permit or approval from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This links on this page offer resources to assist in the development of that plan.

No Till Tips - A quick reference guide for the no-till farmer.

Cover Crops for Sustainable Crop Rotations - Why switching to cover crops is worth it.

Cover Crops Tips - A quick reference guide for the no-till farmer.

Benefits of Stream Bank Fencing - Stream bank fencing is a low-cost, low-maintenance farm management tool that provides many benefits.

Forested Buffers: The Key to Clean Streams - Clean Up Streams with Forested Buffers.

Pond Agencies and Permits in Pennsylvania - Information on the role of various agencies and permits that may be required for construction or maintenance of earthen ponds.

Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program - State program that provides tax credits to owners of agricultural assets who sell or rent agricultural assets to beginning farmers. 

Beginning Farmer Realty Transfer Tax Exemption - State program that provides an exemption from state and local realty transfer tax for preserved farms that are transferred to a qualified beginning farmer.

Next Generation Farmer Loan Program - State program that uses federal tax-exempt financing to reduce a farmer’s interest rate for capital purchases, such as the purchase of farmland or agricultural machinery and equipment.

Grant and Loan Opportunities for Starting Your Farm - Penn State Extension compilation of available resources.
 

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - Federal program that provides financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural and forest land.

Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) - State program that enables farmers, businesses, and landowners to earn PA income tax credits to offset the cost of implementing conservation practices.

Best Management Practices Grants - Various grants are available to the Berks County Conservation District and its partners at different times of the year. These grants are usually available to certain geographic areas/watersheds and/or practices. 

USDA - Farm Service Agency Loans - various Federal loan options to designed to help farmers get the financing they need to start, maintain, or expand their farms

PA Industrial Development Authority Loans - State program that offers low-interest loans or lines of credit to Pennsylvania businesses for uses including land and building acquisitions, construction, and machinery and equipment purchases

Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) / Greater Berks Development Fund - Certified Economic Development Organization in Berks County able to access funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community Development and other sources.

Farm Vitality Planning Grants - State program that helps fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm - through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers