Four Adams County agricultural businesses have been awarded a combined $1.53 million in state-administered federal grants to modernize their operations and expand their market reach, the Shapiro Administration announced Monday.
The funding is part of a broader $21 million investment through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, a cooperative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In total, 77 farms and food manufacturers across the state received support.
“Pennsylvania is investing to feed our future through a stronger local supply chain, which means healthier communities, thriving businesses, more job opportunities, and more resilience in challenging times,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.
Adams County recipients include:
- Rice Fruit Company received the largest local grant — $1.25 million in infrastructure funding — to build a controlled atmosphere storage facility. The project is designed to extend the freshness of apples grown on 25 area farms, reduce waste, and open new markets for local produce.
- Hollabaugh Bros. was awarded $100,000 to install a semi-automated apple-packing line. The equipment will improve processing efficiency, reduce labor costs, and enable expansion into six new regional markets, benefiting more than 40 growers.
- Keystone Tree Crops Cooperative earned $80,802 to enhance its processing capacity with specialized nut-processing equipment. The upgrades will support production of items like hickory nut oil and nut flours, increasing sales opportunities for at least 55 growers.
- Knouse Foods Cooperative also received $100,000 for advanced optical sorting technology to boost food safety and processing efficiency. The cooperative supports 116 growers.
The RFSI program offers both infrastructure and equipment-only grants, with reduced matching requirements for historically underserved, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.
This latest investment builds on the Shapiro Administration’s broader strategy to support Pennsylvania agriculture, which includes the PA Preferred Organic program, the Organic Center of Excellence, and the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program. The governor’s 2025–26 budget proposal includes $13 million in additional funding for agricultural innovation and $13.5 million to continue the Pennsylvania Farm Bill.
For a full list of grant recipients and project descriptions, visit:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/newsroom/shapiro-admin-announces–21m-to-strengthen-food-supply-chain—-.html