Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker recently visited Sankofa Farm at Bartram’s Garden as part of the governor’s Urban Agriculture Tour, spotlighting state investments aimed at expanding fresh food access and creating career opportunities in Philadelphia neighborhoods.
The tour, which is making stops across Pennsylvania, showcases urban agriculture as a tool for job training, food equity, and community revitalization. At Sankofa Farm, a hub for youth-led farming and education in Southwest Philadelphia, state officials emphasized the importance of supporting programs that equip young adults with job skills while addressing systemic barriers to healthy food and economic opportunity.
“Young people across Pennsylvania are receiving priceless life skills, confidence, and in some cases, starting their careers debt-free, with stellar credentials and top-notch experience through the seeds planted when we invest together in urban agriculture,” Redding said. “Those seeds — planted by Shapiro Administration investments and cultivated by strong community partnerships with visionary leaders like those at Sankofa Farm — will yield a harvest of transformed communities for years to come.”
Workforce development grows at Sankofa Farm
In April, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry awarded John Bartram Association close to $400,000 to create an 18-month registered apprenticeship at Sankofa Farm to equip young adults for agriculture careers. The grant was part of a $6.6 million investment to expand career opportunities in agriculture, health care, and information technology statewide.
“Agriculture plays an integral role in Pennsylvania’s economy, and through this strategic investment in Sankofa Community Farm, the Shapiro Administration is taking meaningful action to build a more inclusive and innovative agricultural workforce,” said Walker.
Work2Ride receives support for youth equestrian program
Officials also visited the Work2Ride program at Chamounix Stables in West Fairmount Park, where young people develop leadership, discipline, and confidence through equestrian sports, animal care, and barn management. The program is receiving a $500,000 investment from the Shapiro Administration, funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, to support ongoing renovations to the stables and equestrian facilities.
Statewide push for agricultural innovation, food access
In recent months, the Shapiro Administration has ramped up its investment in agricultural innovation and urban farming across Pennsylvania, aiming to modernize the industry and expand food access in underserved communities.
In February, Shapiro announced the launch of the nation’s first Agricultural Innovation Grants—a $10 million initiative supporting 88 agriculture businesses statewide. The funding is designed to help farms and agri-businesses adopt cutting-edge technologies to stay competitive and support their workforce.
The following month, the administration committed $500,000 through the Pennsylvania Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program to projects in 10 counties, addressing persistent food access and infrastructure challenges in city neighborhoods. Since its inception in 2019, the program has distributed more than $3.2 million, backing 160 urban agriculture projects in 19 counties, including many in Philadelphia.
The funded projects range from greenhouses and cold storage facilities to off-grid energy and water systems, officials said, helping organizations expand their reach and drive economic, community, and personal growth through agriculture.
