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USDA Rural Development Invested Over $670,000 in Grants Supporting Pennsylvania Farms

Email
heather.donodeo@usda.gov
Release Date

The Value-Added Producer Grant Invests in Small Farms and Economic Sustainability

 

(Harrisburg, Pa., May 9, 2026) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Acting Pennsylvania State Director Jeremy Wilson announced over $670,000 investments through Value-Added Producer Grants that strengthen Rural Development’s commitment to small farms and their economic sustainability. 

“Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant enhances the ingenuity, creativity, and hard work of rural producers,” said Wilson. “The grant allows local farms and other businesses to grow and expand into larger markets and fill needs within the community.”  

Farms receiving the grants are:

  • Vistamont Farms LLC, located in Scenery Hill, Washington County, Pennsylvania, received a $250,000 grant to use for marketing, purchasing supplies, shipping, and hired labor expenses related to producing various beef products such as smoked meat and tallow. This project is anticipated to increase the farm's customer base by 950 and its revenue by $70,000 over a three-year period.

     

  • Woods Beach LLC's dairy farming operation located in Douglassville, Berks County, Pennsylvania, received a $203,014 grant for marketing, purchasing supplies, assisting with transportation and shipping, and manufacturing expenses related to the production and market expansion of its Ayrshire cows’ whole milk kefir. This project is anticipated to increase the farm's customer base by 20,000 and its revenue by approximately $667,000 over a three-year period.

 

  • Kistaco Farm, a family-owned and operated fruit and vegetable farm and farm market, located in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania received a grant for $6,393 to purchase processing supplies needed to manufacture various apple and vegetable commodities, such as applesauce and apple cider. This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by 520 and increase its revenue by approximately $8,900 over a one-year period.

 

  • Friends of Fern Hall LLC's farm located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, received a $214,474 grant for marketing, purchasing supplies, and value-added production processing expenses related to making wool yarn for sweaters and hats. This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by 7,100 and its revenue by approximately $945,000 over a two-year period.

 

USDA Rural Development’s BusinessPrograms provide financial backing and technical assistance to stimulate business creation and growth. By developing partnerships with public and private community-based organizations and financial institutions, USDA Rural Development provides capital, equipment, space, job training, and entrepreneurial skills to start or grow businesses. To learn more about these programs, contact Business Programs at 717-237-2189.

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.

 

Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov, subscribe to GovDelivery updates, and follow us on X at RD_Pennsylvania.

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