Bidwell Training Center announces grant funding for urban agriculture farm and market
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/
Featured Product
Maximize Growth and Savings with Cree LED's J Series® LEDs
Cree LED's J Series® LEDs offer a versatile range of solutions for horticulture applications, delivering exceptional performance and efficiency. The J Series 2835 3V N Class Color LEDs are available in 15 vibrant colors with industry-leading efficacy, providing tailored lighting options for plant growth. The J Series JR5050C E Class White LEDs boast the highest efficacy among high-power LEDs, enabling up to 40% system cost savings. For additional flexibility, the J Series JR5050B K Class White LEDs offer best-in-class efficacy with 6V and 30V options. The J Series JB3030C E Class White LEDs provide outstanding 3030 efficiency with a typical output of up to 3.33 PPF/W, while maintaining footprint compatibility with the popular 301B/H. Lastly, the J Series JB2835B G Class White LEDs feature the highest efficacy in the 2835 platform, ensuring optimal performance for horticulture lighting systems.
