Pittsburgh is one of 10 cities chosen for USDA urban farming grants

By Mary Ann Thomas / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh urban farmers the Soil Sisters will need a helping hand for soil remediation and other needs for a new land purchase.

Owners of a small nursery in Beltzhoover, the Soil Sisters plan to grow fruits and vegetables to sell in their neighborhood where fresh produce is lacking.

They are among dozens of local urban growers looking for resources and expertise to boost the production of produce and more.

Pittsburgh's thriving urban agriculture scene landed it in the 10 cities chosen nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the $9 million grant program.

Funded by President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, the USDA grant pays for outreach and farm infrastructure for urban growers.

The Pittsburgh portion of the grant, $894,000, was awarded to the Allegheny County Conservation District and its partners PASA Sustainable Agriculture, Chatham University, Grow Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council and Hilltop Urban Farm.

“We are very honored to be chosen,” said Heather Manzo, executive director of Allegheny County Conservation District. “The reason we were chosen is our long history of growing food in the city and the collaboration between all of the organizations that work with farmers.”

The conservation district assists growers of all stripes, from backyard and community gardens to small commercial farms.

For the Soil Sisters, aka Raynise and TaRay Kelly, the grant could provide funding and expertise after they close on several properties along Beltzhoover Avenue for farming. It would see them expand from producing garden seedlings in their Beltzhoover nursery.

Buying land was the next logical step.

Owning land also qualifies them for programs to help with things like soil remediation and other needs, said Raynise Kelly.

“You have to own the land to get some support, and that’s where a lot of struggle comes in for growers.”

Ms. Kelly added that some urban farmers want to elevate production.

“It’s nice to know we have support and can lean on someone for help with creating plans, data collection and other needs,” she said.

About 38% of the USDA money will be used for micro-grants to growers. The larger part of the grant pays for programs that boost outreach and resources for urban farmers.

Currently, the Kelly sisters are fundraising to buy four vacant lots, which, if purchased, would mean they will have to remediate the soil from lead contamination, like other sites in the city.

“Grants can be extremely beneficial,” Ms. Kelly said. However, so is the expertise of the conservation district and others.

“We are figuring out what resources are out there for things like composting and to learn about the best non-edible crops to grow when the land is not active with production,” she said.

With the rollout of the USDA micro-grants expected next year, the timing is right, Ms. Kelly said.

In Pittsburgh, the prevalence of urban farming isn’t as visible as the rolling fields of dairy farms in nearby counties.

“The city has an incredible hub of urban growers that other cities look to,” said Hayly Hoch, manager for Allegheny County Conservation District’s Community Agriculture and Soils Program.

“We have urban agriculture already in each neighborhood,” she said.

The grant money will fund technical service providers to reach and help more growers. The micro-grants can pay for equipment, composts, healthy soils, raised garden beds, tools and more.

“Agriculture can be an intimidating industry to step into,” Ms. Hoch said.

Microgrant applicants will provide a gauge of what local urban growers need, she said.

Ms. Hoch expects to release micro-grant announcements next year.