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.

Pittsburgh, PA — Bidwell Training Center (BTC) has been awarded a $500,000 Agricultural Innovation Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

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 people in Pittsburgh consume comes from California. But with California's troubled 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.

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.

"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," said Dr. Kimberly Rassau, Vice President of Bidwell Training Center.

As part of its Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture 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.
For more information about Bidwell Training Center, visit https://bidwelltraining.edu/