PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia and Montgomery counties are among eight Pennsylvania counties awarded grants for projects through the state’s Farm Bill.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced on Monday the approval of $520,000 in funding for urban farmers across the commonwealth. The grants address food system gaps and encourage community collaboration.
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Redding shared the news at FarmerJawn Agriculture in Elkins Park, which was given $50,000 to build a nano-farm, a corner store and a kitchen/market to serve the local community.
“My concept of redefining the corner store will show urban people what farming looks like and empower them to grow their own food and to know who your farmer is,” said FarmerJawn founder Christa Barfield. “Therefore giving you the power and the space to take control of your own health, your own wellness, because food is medicine.”
Barfield said businesses like hers also impact food justice.
“Currently only about 2% of U.S. farmers are Black, and even a smaller fraction of those farmers live in urban environments, and even a smaller percentage of that are Black farmers that own successful and sustainable urban agricultural businesses,” she said. “Representation matters. FarmerJawn exists to destigmatize soil while magnifying the story and ensuring the marginalized are seen.”
Of the 23 project recipients this year, 10 urban agriculture infrastructure grants were awarded to farming efforts in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties. The grants range from $2,500 to $50,000.
Since the Farm Bill passed in 2019, $1.5 million in grant funds were awarded to support urban farming in the commonwealth.
“Agriculture is not limited to ZIP code,” added Redding.
Fellow grant recipients in the region include:
Mosaic Community Land Trust, $30,000 (Montgomery County)
Pennypack Farm Education Center for Sustainable Food Systems, $2,500 (Montgomery County)
John Bartram Association, $50,000 (Philadelphia)
Awbury Arboretum Association, Inc., $37,300 (Philadelphia)
215 People's Alliance Education Fund, $2,500 (Philadelphia)
Weavers Way Cooperative Association, $31,425 (Philadelphia)
Cloud 9 Community Farms Inc., $2,500 (Philadelphia)
Kelly School Garden, $2,500 (Philadelphia)
Urban Creators, $43,500 (Philadelphia)