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April 09, 2021 - BOILING SPRINGS, PA

Secretary of Agriculture Announces $1 Million Farm Vitality Grant Program, Secures Strong Future for Pennsylvania Agriculture

On a preserved farm in Cumberland County, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the opening of the $1 million Farm Vitality Grant Program. One of the largest of the programs in Governor Tom Wolf's Pennsylvania Farm Bill, the Farm Vitality Program aims to enhance the long-term health and vitality of Pennsylvania's farms.

"Pennsylvania's more than 53,000 farms are the backbone of our reliable food system. They are the heart of Pennsylvania, just like this $1 million Farm Vitality Grant Program is the heart of the Pennsylvania Farm Bill," said Redding. "Pennsylvania's farm families need sound business plans, because their success is success for all of Pennsylvania."

Trever Gill, fourth generation Cumberland County farmer, received a $7,200 Farm Vitality grant last year to seek succession and business planning services, through Ag Choice Farm Credit, to help their family navigate the transition of their 95-acre Boiling Springs farm to Gill from his grandparents. Gill is one of 133 grantees in 46 counties from the first round of Farm Vitality funding.

The 2020-21 Farm Vitality Grant Program will help fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm. It aims to enhance the long-term health and vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through sound business planning, efficient transitions of farm ownership, strategic farm expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and financial and technical expertise.



Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding announces the opening of the $1 million Farm Vitality Grant Program, which seeks to enhance the vitality of Pennsylvanias farms. Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_01.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding speaks with the family of Trevor Gill, who is a recipient of the Farm Vitality Grant, in Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_02.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> On a preserved farm in Cumberland County, the Department of Agriculture announces the 2020-21 Farm Vitality Grant Program, which will help fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm. Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_03.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> On a preserved farm in Cumberland County, the Department of Agriculture announces the 2020-21 Farm Vitality Grant Program, which will help fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm. Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_04.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding poses with Trevor Gill and his family in Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_05.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Doug Wolfgang, Director of Farmland Preservation for the Department of Agriculture, discusses aspects of the Farm Vitality Grant, in Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_06.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding announces the opening of the $1 million Farm Vitality Grant Program, which seeks to enhance the vitality of Pennsylvanias farms. Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_07.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding announces the opening of the $1 million Farm Vitality Grant Program, which seeks to enhance the vitality of Pennsylvanias farms. Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_08.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Trevor Gill, Farm Owner and Farm Vitality Grant Recipient, discusses the process of applying for the grant and how it has helped his business, in Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_09.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Mark Kerstetter, COO of Ag Choice Farm Credit, discusses lending and financial services to help agricultural businesses, in Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_10.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding greets Trevor Gill, a farm owner and grant recipient, in Boiling Springs, PA on April 9, 2021.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/18647_agric_vitalityGrants_cz_11.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>