10 Berks programs get grants to improve access to fresh food, promote agriculture
Local schools and organizations were awarded a total of nearly $134,000 from the state
Ten Berks County schools and organizations were awarded grants totaling nearly $134,000 from the state to improve access to fresh foods and promote agricultural education.
The recipients of the grants were announced Monday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The grants were awarded through the Farm to School and Agriculture and Youth programs.
Nearly $1 million in Agriculture and Youth grants were awarded to youth organizations to promote development in the areas of agriculture, community leadership, vocational training and peer fellowship. Nearly $536,000 in Farm to School grants were awarded to improve access to healthy, local foods and increase agriculture education opportunities for children through fifth grade.
“Young people are the future of Pennsylvania agriculture and their teachers, programs, field trips and access to fresh foods frame their relationship with and understanding of agriculture,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “This $1.5 million will spark new interests in farming by connecting students to agriculture education, while also improving access to nutritious foods.”
The Agriculture and Youth matching grant winners are:
• Goggleworks Center for The Arts — $25,000
• Kutztown School District — $10,000
The Agriculture and Youth direct grant winners are:
• Conrad Weiser School District — $6,000
• Berks County Conservation District — $7,500
The Farm to School grant winners are:
• Tulpehocken School District — $15,000
• Kutztown School District — $15,000
• Hamburg School District — $15,000
• Schuylkill Valley School District — $15,000
• Conrad Weiser School District — $10,000
• The Children’s Home of Reading — $15,000