Source: US State of Pennsylvania
July 14, 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA
ADVISORY – ALLEGHENY COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Kick Off 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour, Highlighting Investments in Innovation, Equity, and Opportunity Feeding Progress in Urban Communities
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Education Secretary Carrie Rowe will kick 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.
The weeklong tour will feature projects supported by PA Farm Bill Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants, Agriculture Innovation Grants, Fresh Food Financing Grants and other Shapiro Administration investments to increase economic opportunities and help meet pressing challenges to expanding fresh food access in urban communities.
Tour stops throughout the week will introduce 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 urban neighborhoods to thrive. The tour will include stops in Johnstown on Tuesday, Carlisle on Wednesday, Philadelphia on Thursday, and the Lehigh Valley on Friday. (Separate advisories will be issued for each day.)
WHO:
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe
State Representative Emily Kinkead
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey
Bidwell Training Center Sr. Dir. of Horticulture and Agriculture Technology Ryan Gott
WHEN:
Monday, July 14 at 1:15 p.m. (kickoff press conference)
WHERE:
Bidwell Training Center, Drew Mathieson Greenhouse – 1815 Metropolitan St, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
RSVP:
Please email aginfo@pa.gov if you would like to attend and include location.
ADDITIONAL MONDAY TOUR STOPS
WHEN:
Monday, July 14 at 9 a.m.
WHERE:
Ballfield Farm, 2544 Crispen Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214
WHAT:
Pittsburgh Food Policy Council will lead a brief tour of an organic, North Side neighborhood farm where families grow food for their homes and donation to area food pantries.
WHEN:
Monday, July 14 at 3 p.m.
WHERE:
Blackberry Meadows Farm, 7115 Ridge Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
WHAT:
Secretary Redding will tour a farm that hosts farm stays, and supplies fresh produce and pasture-raised pork to Pittsburgh-area farm markets. The farm has received significant state investments in measures to improve soil and water quality.
WHEN:
Monday, July 14 at 4:30
WHERE:
Jerry’s Custard, 2705 7th Street Road, Lower Burrell, PA 15068
WHAT:
Secretary Redding will tour a stop on PA Preferred® and Pennsylvania Tourism’s Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail)