Butler nonprofit awarded $100K agriculture grant
Community Partnership, based in Butler County, received a $100,000 grant, which will be distributed to veteran farmers in the form of mini-grants.
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the recipients of Veterans in Agriculture Grants at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg on Thursday, Jan. 11. These grants, totaling $300,000, go to military veterans who are also farmers.
This marks the second year in a row that Community Partnership has received this grant.
“When the grant announcement came out to reapply, then obviously we reapplied,” said Sandra Curry, executive director of Community Partnership. “We are extremely excited that the (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture) would like to work with us on this program.”
The grant announcements were made during Military Appreciation Day at the annual farm show.
“Two percent of Americans feed us, and 2% of Americans protect us,” Redding said. “We are proud to support these heroes by connecting them with opportunities to grow and succeed in agriculture.”
Through the grant, Community Partnerships seeks to provide funding to veteran-run farms — primarily those which have been in operation for less than two years. According to the organization’s website, veteran farmers can request up to $10,000 in funding.
Community Partnerships awarded nine grants to veteran farmers in Pennsylvania in 2023.
“You cannot have a secure food system if you do not have secure and thriving farms,” Curry said. “This fits squarely within our mission.”
Questions about receiving one of the mini-grants can be directed to Curry at scurry@yourcapinfo.org or 724-766-9029.
