​MELROSE PARK, Pa. — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has announced 21 Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants totaling $502,140 to projects that help address long-standing challenges urban farmers face in growing local, farm-fresh produce in city neighborhoods in 10 counties across Pennsylvania. Secretary Redding made this announcement after touring The Farm at Wyncote Academy in Montgomery County, where a grant will fund a new fruit tree orchard, expanding outdoor, hands-on science and career learning opportunities for at-risk middle and high school students.

“Seeing a school farm like Wyncote Academy’s is seeing the power agriculture has to change lives.” Secretary Redding said. “Getting fresh, healthy food into urban neighborhoods, using small plots of land to generate income, bridge differences, and introduce teens from tough circumstances to career opportunities and healthier futures are just a few ways Urban Ag grants are changing Pennsylvania cities for the better.”

With funding from prior grants through the program, Pennsylvanians are working to increase fresh food access in areas where it is scarce; break down racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic barriers; and overcome historical inequities to grow opportunities for their communities to thrive.

Pennsylvania has invested more than $3.2 million in urban agriculture through the program since 2019, including $736,000 invested in 26 projects in 2023-24. In total, 160 projects in cities across Pennsylvania are expanding fresh food access in locations often served by a single convenience store.

Funded projects include purchases such as greenhouses, off-grid energy and water systems, cold storage, and tools to expand the reach of organizations that feed economic, community, and personal growth through agriculture.

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 products of small farmers, building collective power to supply fresh food in underserved neighborhoods.

Urban neighborhoods are determined by criteria from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

2024-25 Area

Urban

Agriculture Grant

recipients:

Blair County

Blair County Conservation District – $2,500

For urban agricultural education at NatureWorksPark to help farmers learn to extend their growing season with high tunnels and irrigation systems.

Dauphin County

Wildheart Ministries – $50,000

To expand the Hill Farm’s capacity for food preparation and storage, as well as improve distribution capability, food safety, and quality of fresh, locally-grown, organic produce in Harrisburg.

Learn more about Urban Agriculture Grants and other PA Farm Bill grants and initiatives to grow Pennsylvania agriculture on the PA Farm Bill webpage.