20 Pennsylvania Projects Receive $520,219 in Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants

Agriculture Secretary Russell ReddingAt the 2023 Pennsylvania Farm Show Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the recipients of $520,219 for the 2022-23 PA Farm Bill Urban Agriculture Grants. (Credit: Commonwealth Media Services)

PENNSYLVANIA – Yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the recipients of $520,219 in Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants. These grants will go to 20 projects in 10 counties, and will help to grow agricultural infrastructure by investing in small businesses. This is an important step towards ending “food apartheid” and transforming neighborhoods across Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Farm Bill stands out for its efforts to bring agricultural infrastructure to small businesses and local communities. With 20 projects proposed in 10 counties, the Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Program has given small companies the opportunity to expand their operations and give access to fresh food within neighborhoods. This zip-code-neutral approach breaks down any food deserts in the state, creating a more equal access throughout Pennsylvania. As Secretary Redding stated at a press conference focused on the new program, “we are here to ensure everyone is able to eat fresh, healthy foods regardless of where they live and work”. The PA Farm Bill is at the forefront of dismantling “food apartheid” and supplying people with basic rights.

Food production in cities – from rooftop or vacant plot gardens, to vertical or indoor farming – plays an important role in advancing food and nutritional security. The Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program works to break down walls of inequality while providing fresh, healthy foods in urban areas where access to food is limited while also exposing young Pennsylvanians to agriculture and the career opportunities held by the industry.

Applicants are eligible for up to $2,500 in micro grant funds, or up to $50,000 in collaboration grant funds, to assist food processors and growers in urban communities to complete projects such as expanding operations, site design, or planning to create community gardens, implementing aquaponic and hydroponic facilities, cold storage expansion, and more.

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“These dollars directly address food system gaps, encourage community collaboration, and create opportunities to focus on the equitable distribution of agriculture products and resources directly to the communities that most need them,” said Secretary Redding.

Following are the grant recipients announced today:

Allegheny

  • Farm to Table, $20,000
  • Grow Pittsburgh, $50,000
  • Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, $26,625
  • OLDCO LLC, $37,821

Beaver

  • Crop and Kettle, $50,000

Berks

Butler

  • Butler Area School District, $30,000

Chester

Dauphin

  • Redevelopment Authority of the City of Harrisburg, $42,500
  • The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region, $50,000

Erie

  • Erie County Redevelopment Authority, $50,000
  • Wild Field Urban Farm, $1,679

Montgomery

  • Wyncote Academy, $45,815
  • Hatboro Academy, $2,100
  • Tlush Family Farm, $2,500
  • Northampton

    Easton Area Neighborhood Centers, Inc, $50,000

  • Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, $27,754

Philadelphia

  • Think and Grow Farms, $50,000
  • Sanctuary Farm Philadelphia, $2,500
  • Norris Square Neighborhood Project, $800

To learn more about the department’s grant programs, visit agriculture.pa.gov.

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