Pennsylvania Farm Show Launches with Grants and Military Honors

The Pennsylvania Farm Show commenced on January 10, 2026, heralding a week of agricultural celebration and significant announcements. The event, the largest of its kind in the state, showcased innovations and honored military service, all under the theme “Growing a Nation.” State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding led the opening ceremony, joined by U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson and America250PA Executive Director Cassandra Coleman, emphasizing agriculture’s crucial role in the economy and community sustenance.

The ceremony featured a vibrant display including a color guard from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Pennsylvania State Police mounted unit, and performances by local artists. A notable highlight was the unveiling of an America250PA semiquincentennial bell, created by Pittsburgh artist Cody Sabol, which symbolizes the connection between agriculture and American history. This bell, along with a second for visitor signatures, represents the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.

On January 12, the focus turned to youth development within the agricultural sector. Redding announced over $600,000 in PA Farm Bill Agriculture & Youth Grants, aimed at fostering career pathways for young individuals in Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry. The announcement came alongside a Career Expo that successfully linked more than 2,200 students with opportunities from various agricultural businesses. Among the grant recipients, Trellis for Tomorrow, a nonprofit from Chester County, received $18,100 to enhance its youth programming, which has already benefited over 1,600 young people in its 22 years of operation.

The commitment to workforce development was further underscored by Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker and Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe, who highlighted the creation of 115 new apprenticeships since the start of the Shapiro Administration. This includes four new programs specifically for agriculture. They also noted a significant increase in funding for career and technical education and apprenticeships, totaling $183 million in the 2025–26 budget.

The Farm Show continued to highlight Pennsylvania’s agricultural research and market development on January 13, showcasing the state’s Centers for Excellence. These partnerships, designed to unite industry stakeholders and educational institutions, collectively receive a $4.1 million state investment. The initiatives introduced under the Shapiro Administration include the Center for Plant Excellence and the Organic Center of Excellence, both aimed at enhancing sector-specific growth.

Innovation funding took center stage on January 14, when Governor Josh Shapiro and Redding announced the upcoming opening of applications for a second round of Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, totaling another $10 million. The first round has already supported 88 projects across 45 counties, focusing on technology adoption and sustainable practices. The application process for this round begins on February 2 and will remain open until April 18, 2026.

Military recognition also featured prominently, particularly on January 15 during Military Appreciation Day. Redding and Maj. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, introduced the Pennsylvania Veteran Ag Entrepreneurship Award. This year, the award was given to George Lake, a 30-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, for his exemplary work in establishing a regenerative livestock operation and mentoring fellow veterans entering agriculture. Additionally, the upcoming round of Veterans in Agriculture Grants will offer $300,000 in funding, with applications opening on January 30.

As the event progressed, the themes of legacy and land preservation emerged, culminating on January 16. Redding and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis designated 11 Bicentennial and Centennial farms, acknowledging families who have maintained their farms for over a century. This initiative aligns with Pennsylvania’s longstanding commitment to farmland preservation, which has safeguarded thousands of farms and acres since the program’s inception in 1988.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show serves not only as a celebration of agriculture but also as a platform for fostering future generations in the industry. For more information on youth opportunities in agriculture, visit agriculture.pa.gov/kidsarethefuture, or for details on PA Farm Bill grants, visit agriculture.pa.gov/pafarmbill.