The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants for projects and programs that benefit youth through Sept. 30.

The Pennsylvania Agriculture and Youth Grant Program provides direct grants and matching grants to help fund eligible projects, programs and equipment purchases conducted or made by an organization composed primarily of youth or an organization with programs that benefit youth.

The program aims to address the looming workforce deficit the industry is expected to face in the next decade.

Eligible projects must include education or workforce development seminars or field trips, agricultural safety training, capital projects or equipment purchases.

Through the program, $500,000 is available for direct, non-matching reimbursement grants of up to $7,500 to defray costs of an eligible project that isn’t a “capital project.” Matching reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 are available to defray the costs of an eligible capital project or equipment purchase, where the grant covers no more than 50% of the project cost.