Pennsylvania Administration Kicks Off 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour

Highlighting Investments in Innovation, Equity, and Opportunity Feeding Progress in Urban Communities

PA Department of Community & Economic Development
July 14, 2025

Excerpt:

Pittsburgh, PA – Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe, and Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger kicked off the Shapiro Administration’s 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour at Bidwell Training Center in Pittsburgh, where a high-tech greenhouse expansion funded through a historic Agricultural Innovation Grant is underway, and urban students are training for in-demand culinary and horticulture careers.

“Feeding opportunities for growth and economic prosperity in urban neighborhoods feeds all of our futures,” Secretary Redding said. “The Shapiro Administration is committed to strengthening local economies through investments that improve quality of life and health by making sure families have fresh, healthy food within reach, and the inspiration, resources, and knowledge to grow fresh food in the future.

“Supporting partnerships with innovative problem-solvers like the leadership at Bidwell Training Center, and others like Grow Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council who joined us today multiplies our capacity to tackle major challenges like raising a skilled workforce and accessing land and capital.”

Throughout this week, Sec. Redding and other Shapiro Administration leaders will cross the state to meet dynamic Pennsylvanians 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.

“Urban agriculture connects learning to purpose,” said Acting Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe. “At places like Bidwell, learners are doing more than just growing food; they’re growing careers, confidence, and communities. When we create clear pathways from the classroom to the workforce, especially in areas that have been underserved, we expand opportunity across Pennsylvania.”

“Investments in urban agriculture infrastructure are creating jobs, beautifying neighborhoods, and providing much-needed access to fresh food in underserved communities,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “The Commonwealth’s rich agricultural industry is one of the five key sectors we’ve focused on in Pennsylvania’s Economic Development Strategy so that we can continue to build a strong economy that lifts up our people and improves the quality of life in our communities.”

Read the complete article here.