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Governor Josh Shapiro announced recipients of $10 million in grants through the nation's first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program. This funding will help Pennsylvania agricultural businesses adopt innovative technologies and practices to enhance conservation and implement clean energy solutions -- boosting profits, protecting soil and water resources and generating more clean, renewable energy.
The Agricultural Innovation Grant Program was proposed as part of Governor Shapiro's 2024-2025 budget and championed by Representative Paul Takac, prime sponsor of the corresponding legislation, which passed with broad bipartisan support.
The program received an overwhelming response, with the Department of Agriculture receiving more than $68 million in funding requests. The grants will help to accelerate the adoption of innovative practices that will benefit not only farmers but the long-term sustainability and productivity of the entire region.
In the local region, three projects in Centre County received funding, as well as one in Lycoming County:
Centre County
Mark Bair -- $130,000 for a bio-diesel project.
Shanthanu Krishna Kumar -- $19,000 for drone-based scanning and spraying.
Hanover Foods -- $100,000 for modernization of its wastewater treatment plant.
Lycoming County
Wheeland Lumber Company -- $100,000 to implement AI-based grading technology.
"As the pace of agricultural research and innovation continues to accelerate at world-class universities like Penn State, it is vitally important that we help Pennsylvania's farmers and companies take full advantage of these advances," said Representative Paul Takac. "These Agricultural Innovation Fund matching grants are a great example of public-private partnerships and will help fund projects to make Pennsylvania farms more efficient, profitable and sustainable, while also benefitting the environment and climate. I am confident this program will continue to grow in the years ahead as the benefits and return-on-investment from these inaugural awards become more evident."
"Our farmers form the backbone of our economy here in Pennsylvania -- they put food on our tables and in our stores and restaurants every day. If we want to compete and succeed as a Commonwealth, then we have to invest in them," said Governor Shapiro. "We are announcing investments in game-changing projects that are fueling the future of farming in Pennsylvania -- and giving farmers and ag producers the tools they need to get ahead. The future of our economic success and opportunity runs through our farmlands, and we are going to continue to invest in agricultural innovation in my Administration."
"As our farmers face increasing demands to feed a growing population while continuing their legacy of environmental stewardship, this fund will help power our farm and food businesses to meet those challenges," said Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding. "These investments ensure that Pennsylvania's agricultural industry can continue to thrive and innovate for years to come."
Governor Shapiro announced 88 awardees from 45 counties, representing 31 Pennsylvania-produced commodities and 40 areas of innovation. Grants will reimburse expenses for project planning and implementation, as well as larger-scale projects with a regional impact. These projects include technologies that improve efficiency, generate energy while reducing nutrient waste and support crops that store carbon or replace non-renewable resources.
Recently, Secretary Redding visited one of the grant recipients -- Brubaker Farms in Mount Joy, Lancaster, which received $400,000 for an anaerobic digester project that will produce renewable energy from manure.
"Innovation is critical if agriculture is going to continue to be the Commonwealth's leading industry. The Governor has recognized the importance of food security by including agriculture as one of the five pillars of his economic development strategy, and we thank the Shapiro Administration for creating this program," said Chris Hoffman, President, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. "With the increasing environmental responsibilities farmers are shouldering in a still-tight ag economy, we need to think outside the box to help farmers meet those challenges in a sustainable fashion while providing additional revenue streams that sustain their operations. The Ag Innovation grants supplement programs like ACAP, which are also helping farmers use technology to protect and improve the quality of our local waterways -- projects that benefit every Pennsylvanian."
Agriculture is critical to Pennsylvania's economy, with more than 53,000 farms supporting over 600,000 jobs and contributing $132.5 billion annually. Governor Shapiro's Economic Development Strategy places agriculture at the forefront, recognizing that a thriving agricultural industry is key to powering the Commonwealth's economic growth. Since taking office in 2022, the Governor has prioritized additional funding to support new businesses and reinforce Pennsylvania's national reputation as a leader in agriculture.
The Agricultural Innovation Grant Program is a key element of Governor Shapiro's Economic Development Strategy, which positions agriculture alongside life sciences, manufacturing, robotics, technology and energy as vital drivers of Pennsylvania's long-term economic success.
The $10 million Agricultural Innovation Grants are investments in cutting-edge solutions and technologies that will shape the future of agriculture.
Recipients of the grants elsewhere in the state, listed by county, and amount received, can be viewed online at https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/shapiro-administration-announces-recipients-of-the-nation-s-firs.html