Pittsburgh training center to build urban ag farm

A Pennsylvania professional career training center has received grant funding to construct an urban agriculture farm and market.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has awarded Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Bidwell Training Center (BTC) a $500,000 Agricultural Innovation grant.

The grant will be used to fund the development of an urban agriculture farm and market at BTC as part of the school’s Horticulture and Agriculture Technology Program.

Currently, about 20% of the food Pittsburgh residents consume originates from California. However, with California’s climate affecting its food production rates and rising shipping costs impacting the sales price of food, Bidwell’s urban farm and market project is an opportunity for the school to become a significant contributor to Pennsylvania’s local food sourcing infrastructure, according to a news release.

In addition to growing food to support Bidwell’s Culinary Arts Program, the school’s expanded Agriculture Technology program also has the potential to provide food to other organizations and schools in the community at wholesale prices, according to the release.

“Expanding the commonwealth’s access to healthy food systems requires an agricultural workforce that is well-trained in both traditional and next-generation farming techniques. Bidwell Training Center is extremely grateful to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for this Innovation Grant that will support our school’s commitment to innovation as we train our students to excel in the jobs of the future,” Kimberly Rassau, BTC’s vice president, said in the release.

As part of the grant program,PDA recently awarded 88 companies from 45 counties $10 million in grants.

The program helps agricultural businesses accelerate their adoption of clean energy solutions, enhanced conservation practices and innovative technology solutions that support the long-term sustainability and productivity of Pennsylvania’s farmlands and agriculture facilities. Grants are used to reimburse companies for expenses they incur in project planning and implementation.