HARRISBURG – Four grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Ag and Youth Grant Program will promote development of the Commonwealth’s agriculture and young adults who are interested in it, according to Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).
Trinity Area High School in Washington and West Greene High School in Waynesburg both received funding for two projects.
Trinity Area received $25,000 for building construction for students to acquire knowledge and skills to address agricultural mechanization, sustainability, and non-traditional agriculture methodologies, as well as $7,500 for agricultural education.
West Greene received $3,048 for a student greenhouse improvement and $5,499 for a fabrication shop MIG welder equipment upgrade.
“Because agriculture is expected to struggle significantly to fill important positions in the years ahead, we must be proactive about working against that sobering possibility,” Bartolotta said. “Investing in one of Pennsylvania’s top industries and our young adults is money well spent, and I look forward to learning more about how both schools effectively use the grants.”
The Ag and Youth Grant Program helps to fund projects, programs and equipment purchases conducted or made by organizations composed mainly of youth and organized to promote development in agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer fellowship. It aims to address the looming 75,000 workforce deficit the industry is expected to face in the next decade.
CONTACT: Colleen Greer, 717-787-1463