Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania’s Shapiro Administration has launched its 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour, highlighting investments in education, workforce development, and food access.
- The tour began at Bidwell Training Center in Pittsburgh, where a greenhouse expansion is underway, supported by an Agricultural Innovation Grant.
- The initiative aligns with broader efforts to grow Pennsylvania agriculture through grants, workforce training, and infrastructure development.
- Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2025–26 budget includes increased funding for agricultural innovation, hunger relief programs, and farm infrastructure.
- Pennsylvania has invested more than $3.2 million in urban agriculture since 2019, supporting over 160 projects in 19 counties.
Pennsylvania Urban Agriculture Tour Begins with Focus on Training and Innovation
The 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour was launched this week by members of the Shapiro Administration, beginning at the Bidwell Training Center in Pittsburgh. There, a greenhouse expansion project is in progress, supported by a grant from the state’s Agricultural Innovation Program. This project is one of several being highlighted across the state as part of the tour, which emphasizes the role of Pennsylvania agriculture in education, economic development, and community revitalization.
Secretaries Russell Redding (Agriculture), Dr. Carrie Rowe (Education), and Rick Siger (Community and Economic Development) joined Bidwell staff and local partners to discuss the role of agriculture in preparing students for careers in culinary and horticultural fields, particularly in urban areas.
Agricultural Grants Support Infrastructure and Skills Training
The state’s Agricultural Innovation Grant program, announced in early 2025, allocated $10 million to 88 projects across 46 counties. One of those projects includes the renovation and expansion of the Drew Mathieson Greenhouse at Bidwell. According to Dr. Ryan Gott, Senior Director of Horticulture and Agriculture Technology at Bidwell, the facility will provide hands-on training for students while producing fresh food for communities facing food insecurity.
In parallel, the administration announced $500,000 in Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants this March, supporting 10 counties. Since the program’s inception in 2019, Pennsylvania has invested over $3.2 million in urban agriculture, with 160 projects supporting improved food access and local economic development.
Partnerships Highlighted Across Urban Agriculture Ecosystem
Organizations such as Grow Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council participated in the tour’s kickoff event. Past Urban Agriculture Grants have enabled Grow Pittsburgh to expand its network of gardens and farms, implement composting systems, and install greenhouses and irrigation tools. These efforts support food production and educational programming in underserved areas.
At a panel hosted by State Representative Emily Kinkead, participants discussed how investments in urban agriculture serve broader goals of equity, workforce development, and sustainability.
Proposed Budget By Shapiro Administration Expands Agriculture Funding Statewide
Governor Josh Shapiro has proposed a continuation and expansion of agriculture-related investments in the 2025–26 budget. Highlights include:
- An additional $13 million for the Ag Innovation Grant Program.
- A $4 million increase for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) and another $4 million for the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) to support food access and local farmers.
- Continued $13.5 million funding for the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, aimed at supporting rural and urban farms, business planning, and workforce development.
These proposals align with Pennsylvania’s broader Economic Development Strategy, which identifies agriculture as one of five key sectors contributing to statewide economic resilience.
Ongoing Tour to Feature Additional Community Initiatives In Pennsylvania
The Urban Agriculture Tour will continue throughout the week, featuring site visits across Pennsylvania. Officials will meet with local leaders working on food access, land use, and workforce development. The administration’s goal is to better understand and support the role of Pennsylvania agriculture in addressing social and economic challenges in urban communities.
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