Amid federal cuts, leaders tout agricultural innovation grants at Bidwell greenhouse – Pittsburgh City Paper

Report on Urban Agricultural Innovation and Sustainable Development in Pittsburgh

Executive Summary

On July 14, state and city officials, including Pa. Rep. Emily Kinkead and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, convened at the Bidwell Training Center to commemorate a $500,000 state grant awarded through the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program. The funding is designated for the renovation and technological enhancement of the Drew Mathieson Greenhouse. This initiative represents a significant step towards achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering a resilient urban food system, providing vocational training, and promoting sustainable community development. The project will establish a new greenhouse and an associated grocery store to supply affordable, locally-grown produce, directly addressing food insecurity and creating educational and economic opportunities.

Project Funding and Objectives

The Bidwell Training Center was awarded $500,000 in February as part of Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Innovation Grant Program. The project’s primary objectives are aligned with creating a sustainable urban ecosystem:

• To construct a new greenhouse equipped with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient technologies, including advanced pumps, filters, and bionic grow lights.
• To establish a grocery store on-site that will sell affordable produce grown in the greenhouse directly to the local community.
• To serve as an educational hub, offering no-cost, in-demand training in horticulture and agricultural technology.
• To create a model of sustainable urban agriculture that can be replicated, addressing both food production and community education.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Bidwell Greenhouse initiative makes direct and measurable contributions to several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The project’s core mission is to combat food insecurity by growing fresh food to “directly feed our local communities,” as stated by Dr. Ryan Gott, senior director at Bidwell. The future grocery store will enhance access to affordable and nutritious food, a critical target of SDG 2.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education: By providing “in-demand, no-cost training for our students,” the center functions as a vocational institution that equips individuals with skills for the green economy, promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The training programs prepare students for employment in the growing field of agricultural technology, fostering sustainable economic growth and productive employment.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The project is a prime example of urban agriculture making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. It strengthens the local food system and reduces reliance on external supply chains.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The focus on “sustainable, energy-efficient urban agriculture” ensures responsible production patterns. The use of modern technology aims to minimize environmental impact while maximizing food output.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The initiative is a collaboration between state government (Gov. Shapiro, Rep. Kinkead), city government (Mayor Gainey), and civil society organizations (Bidwell Training Center, Grow Pittsburgh), demonstrating a multi-stakeholder partnership to achieve sustainable development.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Broader Context

Officials highlighted the project’s importance, particularly in light of potential federal funding cuts for urban agriculture. The state’s commitment is underscored by Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget, which allocates an additional $13 million to the Agricultural Innovation program.

• Dr. Ryan Gott (Bidwell Training Center): Emphasized the project’s transformative impact on achieving SDG 2 (food security), SDG 4 (education), and SDG 12 (sustainability), calling it an “exemplar of sustainable, energy-efficient urban agriculture.”
• Pa. Rep. Emily Kinkead: Stressed the critical role of state-funded programs in filling gaps left by federal cuts to food access programs like SNAP. She noted, “It’s going to fall on these kinds of farms to fill in the gap,” reinforcing the urgency of achieving SDG 2.
• Denele Hughson (Grow Pittsburgh): Voiced shared concerns over federal funding and called for collaborative and creative solutions, stating, “we all have to band together and be very creative as we move forward,” which speaks to the spirit of SDG 17.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article directly addresses food security issues. The project’s primary goals are to “grow fresh food to directly feed our local communities experiencing food insecurity” and to sell “affordable produce,” which aligns with ending hunger and improving access to nutritious food.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The initiative includes a significant educational component. The article states the new greenhouse will serve as a “learning center for aspiring gardeners to learn” and provide “in-demand, no-cost training for our students,” which contributes to providing vocational skills.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project is a prime example of urban development focused on sustainability. By establishing an “urban greenhouse” and promoting “sustainable, energy-efficient urban agriculture,” the initiative helps make the city more resilient and self-sufficient in terms of food production.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights the collaboration required to fund and support the project. It mentions that “Pa. Rep. Emily Kinkead and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, along with other city and state officials, visited the site” to show support, and the project is funded by a “$500,000 state grant,” demonstrating a partnership between government entities and a civil society organization (Bidwell Training Center).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

   The article supports this target by describing the project’s aim to “feed our local communities experiencing food insecurity” through a grocery store that “will sell affordable produce grown by the greenhouse.”

2. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.

   The project is described as an “exemplar of sustainable, energy-efficient urban agriculture,” directly aligning with the goal of creating sustainable food systems.

3. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

   The article states the project will “provide in-demand, no-cost training for our students” and serve as a “learning center for aspiring gardeners,” which directly addresses the development of vocational skills in horticulture and agriculture technology.

4. Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.

   The initiative strengthens urban development planning by integrating a food production system (“urban agriculture”) directly into the city’s infrastructure to address local needs like food insecurity.

5. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   The article is centered on such a partnership, detailing how a “$500,000 state grant” from the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program supports the Bidwell Training Center, with public endorsement from state and city officials.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 2.1: The article implies the use of the prevalence of food insecurity as a key metric, as the project’s success is tied to its ability to “feed our local communities experiencing food insecurity.” The availability of “affordable produce” is another measurable outcome.
• For Target 2.4: Progress can be measured by the implementation of “state-of-the-art technologies” and “energy-efficient” practices mentioned in the article. The volume of “fresh food” produced by the greenhouse would be a direct indicator of production capacity.
• For Target 4.4: A clear indicator mentioned is the provision of “no-cost training for our students.” The progress can be measured by the number of students and aspiring gardeners who complete the training programs offered at the new learning center.
• For Target 17.17: The article provides a specific financial indicator: the “$500,000 state grant” awarded to the Bidwell Training Center. Furthermore, it mentions that Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget allocates an “additional $13 million to the Agricultural Innovation program,” indicating the scale of public financial commitment to such partnerships.

4. Summary of Findings

Source: pghcitypaper.com