A Butler nonprofit is one of two veterans’ service organizations designated the governor to distribute grants of up to $10,000 to farmer-veterans to assist with agricultural business needs.

Through the PA Farm Bill, the state Department of Agriculture awarded a total of $200,000 between Westmoreland County nonprofit Greenforge and Community Partnership, a community action agency based in Butler County, to be distributed for “various agricultural business needs ranging from food safety and biosecurity planning to equipment, marketing, or working capital,” according to a statement from Gov. Tom Wolf.

“Pennsylvania’s veterans spent their military career protecting and serving others. When returning to civilian life, they bring critical skillsets and a commitment to service with them,” agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a statement. “We have worked hard to ensure that everyone who wants to be a part of agriculture has the opportunity to contribute without barriers. These grants are a down payment on the success of farmer-veterans in the industry, for the success of Pennsylvania.”

The state of Pennsylvania is home to more than 7,000 military veterans identified as agricultural producers.

“This grant program is designed to recognize the great commitment of Pennsylvania’s farmer-veterans: to love and defend their country and also to serve humanity by growing the food that we all need to survive,” said Wolf in the statement. “When I created the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, we included funding dedicated to this group of Pennsylvanians. It’s a ‘thank you’ for their service and a commitment to better serving their needs as they serve ours.”

Community Partnership will receive $100,000 to provide grants up to $10,000 to eligible veteran farmer applicants “as part of their beginning farmer program, to cover costs associated with working capital, equipment, supplies, and other applicable farming needs, in addition to receiving on-farm education and business training support,” according to the statement.

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