PENNSYLVANIA — In a recent visit to Out of the End, a Pittsburgh-based urban farm, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced grants totaling $736,145. These funds are set to bolster projects that will increase capacity to produce fresh food and create economic opportunities in urban Pennsylvania neighborhoods.
The funding, obtained through the Pennsylvania Farm Bill’s Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program and supplemented by a generous $200,000 donation from The GIANT Company, will support 26 projects across 11 counties in the state.
“Feeding health and economic prosperity in our cities feeds us all,” Secretary Redding said. “Urban neighborhoods are vital to Pennsylvania’s future. The Shapiro Administration is committed to investing in strengthening local economies, promoting food security, and reducing effects of climate change to improve quality of life and health in urban communities.”
The funded projects will enable the expansion or purchases of agricultural infrastructure such as greenhouses, hydroponic equipment, cold storage, and tools. These resources are essential for expanding the reach and impact of organizations that promote economic, community, and personal growth through agriculture.
Out of the End, for instance, received $46,750 to construct a greenhouse to extend their growing season, install irrigation, and add storage to expand their capacity.
“Agriculture is essential to the work we do at The GIANT Company. We couldn’t do what we do – feed families – without it, and that’s why we’re committed to investing in urban agriculture efforts such as the 2023-24 Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program,” said The GIANT Company Sr. Vice President Dave Lessard.
Pennsylvania has invested more than $2.7 million in urban agriculture through the program since 2019. In total, 139 projects in 19 counties across the state are expanding fresh food access in locations often served by a single convenience store.
The program funds microgrants of $2,500 in matching funds for one-time projects or a single entity, as well as collaboration grants. Collaboration grants provide up to $50,000 in matching funds for cooperative or regional efforts to share resources, support community development, and combine the products of small farmers. This builds the collective power to supply fresh food in underserved neighborhoods.
Eligibility for urban status was determined by criteria from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. This significant investment in urban agriculture reflects Pennsylvania’s commitment to fostering economic growth, food security, and climate resilience in urban communities across the state.
Funded projects, by county, include:
Allegheny
- Out of the End, Incorporated, $46,750 – high tunnel green house, irrigation system, and additional storage
- Bible Center Church – The Oasis Project, $22,610 – raised beds, fencing, irrigation systems, tools, the rainwater harvesting equipment, supplies, and signs
BeaverÂ
- Riverwise, $49,000 – planning and design for a community food hub
Chester
- Phoenixville Area Community Services, Inc., $2,125 – hydroponic growing systems
- Trellis for Tomorrow, $2,500 – purchase materials needed to create and build a walk-in cold storage facility and herb wall
Dauphin
- Empower the Bridge Foundation, $49,713 – soil health and remediation supplies
- Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority, $39,500– educational and community gardens, raised beds, plants, refrigeration, and equipment
Delaware
- Chester Housing Initiatives, $50,000 – installation of greenhouse and design of urban rooftop garden
Indiana
- Indiana County Conservation District, $33,788 – seed propagation, greenhouse ventilation, high tunnel, irrigation, compost bin, and tools
Lancaster
- Discerning Eye Community Agriculture, $50,000 – construction of Urban Aquaponics and Hydroponics Micro-Farm; creation of a mobile market; supplies for community engagement events, curriculum, and marketing
Montgomery
- Visitation No Greater Love Garden, $2,125 – raised beds and soil components
- Catholic Social Services Martha’s Choice Marketplace and Community Farm, $2,500 – grass and brush management equipment, wheelbarrows, and tools
- SBK Cafe and Market LLC, $15,422 – purchase and installation of walk-in freezer and equipment
- Variety The Childrens Charity of The Delaware Valley, $10,000 – installation of an accessible educational garden space greenhouse upgrades, raised garden beds to improve accessibility of existing garden
- New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church, $50,000 – garden expansion, cold storage, and rainwater collection system.
Northampton
- Greater Easton Development Partnership, $50,000 – install pole barn and shed, and create a tool share program
Philadelphia
- Friends of Fernhill Park, $2,500 – plants, trees, fencing, tools, and water infrastructure
- Novick Urban Farm, $2,119 – soil amendment supplies
- The U School, $2,500 – storage shed for tools and supplies for the Free Farm Market Program
- Share Food Program, $50,000 – projects to increase community access to green space, farm education, and fresh produce at several farm sites
- Neighborhood Gardens Trust, $40,000 – improvements to three community gardens, with water line, fencing, garden expansions, raised garden beds, and landscaping
- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, $46,000 –pole barn, concrete pad, and site preparation
- Spring Garden Community Development Corporation, $45,000 – shed, water system updates, and creating ADA compliant pathways.
- RAIR, Inc., $50,000 – building, installation, and planting of garden beds, and purchase of shipping container
York
- York Fresh Food Farms, $19,869 – equipment and farm upgrades
- Crispus Attucks Association of York, $2,125 – garden supplies and tools
Find a map of previous grant recipients and details of other PA Farm Bill grants and initiatives to grow and sustain Pennsylvania agriculture on the PA Farm Bill webpage.
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