Merski, Harkins: $50,000 in funding for new urban agricultural facilities
Will help fund Savocchio Park aquaponics, aquaculture farms
Rep. Patrick J. Harkins, Rep. Robert Merski January 11, 2023 | 4:41 PM
ERIE, Jan. 11 – A $50,000 grant to the Erie County Redevelopment Authority will help fund new urban agricultural resources for Erie, including aquaponics and aquaculture facilities in the Joyce A. Savocchio Business Park, state Reps. Rob Merski and Pat Harkins announced today.
The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding from the 2022-23 PA Farm Bill Urban Agriculture grant program also includes $1,679 to Wild Field Urban Farm.
“Urban gardens – which can thrive in city areas such as vacant plots, rooftop spaces and indoor farms – are a critical tool for combating food insecurity,” Harkins said. “Today’s grant will help fund aquaponics and aquaculture facilities in Savocchio Park that will be used for cultivating fish, produce and other nutritious foods for residents in need.”
“No family should ever have to worry about keeping healthy food on the table,” Merski said. “The funding awarded today will help fund Erie’s efforts to transform a once-vacant and blighted area into a place of growth and productivity that helps fight hunger.”
More about all the funding is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=1290.