3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 103

in effect

3 Pa.C.S. § 10301 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Agriculture and youth organization." An organization composed mainly of youth, or an organization with programs that benefit youth, and organized to promote development in the areas of agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer fellowship. The term includes a school district. "Board." The State Agriculture and Youth Development Board. "Program." The Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program. (July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.)

3 Pa.C.S. § 10302 Board membership.

The board shall consist of the following members, with a majority of members constituting a quorum: (1) The secretary or a designee, who shall serve as chairperson. (2) The Secretary of Education or a designee. (3) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the Senate or a designee and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives or a designee. (4) One representative from the Pennsylvania Association of Agriculture Educators and one from the Penn State Cooperative Extension, both of whom shall be appointed by the Governor. (5) The Statewide president of the Pennsylvania FFA. (6) The 4-H Statewide Council President. (7) Up to three representatives, each from a different Pennsylvania farm or rural organization having a youth program, whom shall be appointed by the secretary. (8) A representative of an urban agriculture community program. (9) A youth representative of an urban garden operation or another urban agriculture operation.

3 Pa.C.S. § 10303 Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program.

(a) Program.--The department, in consultation with the board, shall establish a program of grants for agriculture and youth organizations qualifying to receive grants under this chapter, to be known as the Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program. (b) Purpose.--Grants awarded under this chapter may be used for any of the following purposes: (1) To cover the costs of special projects conducted by the organization and approved by the board. (2) For educational or work force development programs conducted by the organization and approved by the board. (3) For educational or work force development seminars and field trips conducted by the organization and approved by the board. (4) For agricultural safety training programs conducted by the organization and approved by the board. (5) For certain capital projects and equipment purchases approved by the board.

3 Pa.C.S. § 10304 Applications.

(a) Application procedure.--An agriculture and youth organization may make application at the time, in the manner and containing information as the department may require. The department shall determine, from the information provided, whether the application is eligible for consideration by the board. (b) Annual meeting.--The board shall meet annually to recommend to the department the awarding of grants to qualifying organizations. (c) Other meetings.--The board shall meet at the call of the chairperson to conduct business related to the award of grants.

3 Pa.C.S. § 10305 Grants.

(a) General rule.--The department shall make grants in an amount not to exceed $7,500 to qualifying agriculture and youth organizations upon the recommendation and approval of the board. (b) Matching funds.--Grants in an amount not to exceed $25,000 shall be awarded to qualifying agriculture and youth organizations selected to receive the awards for the purposes of capital projects. Grants for capital projects must be matched by private money in an amount equal to the State grant. (c) Annual allocation.--The board shall establish annual allocation limits for each fiscal year. (July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.) 2022 Amendment. Act 52 amended subsec. (a).

3 Pa.C.S. § 10306 Regulations.

The department shall administer the provisions of this chapter and, with the approval of the board, shall prescribe and adopt program policy guidelines or regulations to administer and enforce this chapter. Until or unless supplanted by program policy guidelines or regulations adopted under this section, the program guidelines promulgated under the act of August 6, 1991 (P.L.326, No.33), known as the Agriculture and Rural Youth Development Act, shall be the policy guidelines for the program. References in Text. The act of August 6, 1991, P.L.326, No.33, known as the Agriculture and Rural Youth Development Act, referred to in this section, was repealed by the act of July 1, 2019, P.L.279, No.40.

3 Pa.C.S. § 10307 Funding.

For purposes of implementing the provisions of this chapter, the department may use: (1) Any money appropriated by the General Assembly to the department to carry out the provisions of this chapter. (2) Any other money, contributions or payments which may be made available to the department by the Federal Government or by any public or private source.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=03Fetched: 10/16/2026