Allegheny County Conservation District Receives State, Federal Funding To Address Urban Soil Contaminants, Support Farm & Garden Projects

On October 8, the Allegheny County Conservation District announced it has received funding from both the National Association of Conservation Districts and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) administered through the US Department of Agriculture. 

This funding will advance urban agriculture and ACCD’s Urban Soils Program across the region. 

This funding enables ACCD to strengthen partnerships with local farmers and community groups to address urban soil contaminants and support farm and garden projects. 

Over the past 8 years, ACCD’s Urban Soils Program has served as a regional model, raising awareness about the health risks of soil lead exposure and providing technical assistance for safe food production.

In 2023 alone ACCD screened 1,592 soil samples, valued at $47,760, free of charge.

This funding will expand soil testing for heavy metals, particularly lead, and implementation and monitoring of best management practices to improve soil health and promote healthy food production. 

“We are thrilled to receive this support, which recognizes ACCD’s long-standing commitment to working with urban growers and the vital role that soil health plays in viable urban agriculture businesses,” said Heather Manzo, ACCD Executive Director. “On a larger scale, this work is one part of ACCD’s cumulative efforts to secure and fortify Allegheny County’s natural resources, ultimately strengthening sustainable agriculture and climate resilience for our region."

ACCD was awarded the following grants:

-- $9 million USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) grant, administered through To Improve Mississippi Economics (T.I.M.E.), funds urban farm outreach initiatives in 10 U.S. cities. This grant is part of a broader $40 million investment enabled by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

-- $60,000 from NACD: In collaboration with Tree Pittsburgh’s Giving Grove Program, ACCD will conduct soil screening for lead, technical assistance and remediation assistance on urban agriculture sites throughout Allegheny County.  

These sites, located in Environmental Justice Communities, will be transformed into public orchards, planted with edible fruit and nut trees, berries and other perennial crops. 

Native wildflowers will be added to enhance biodiversity, creating beautiful, productive spaces that offer free, nutritious food to the community.

-- $30,000 from SARE: Partnering with two urban farmers in Pittsburgh, ACCD will lead efforts in collaboration with PASA Sustainable Agriculture and Chatham University’s Bio-Intensive, Regenerative, Market Garden Collective (BIRM) to remediate contaminated urban soils. 

The project will include pre- and post-remediation, heavy metal testing to measure the reduction in risk of exposure to soil lead. 

The findings from this research will inform future urban soil best management practices, helping municipalities and farmers scale vacant lot transformation for expanded agriculture.

"While many urban farms face soil contamination challenges, this also presents an incredible opportunity to unlock the full potential of these spaces for food production and community benefit,” said Hayly Hoch, Natural Resource Outreach Educator. "By investing in soil health, we can transform these spaces into vibrant, productive areas. It’s a win for farmers, residents and the environment.”

Visit the Allegheny County Conservation District website to learn more about natural resources conservation.

Visit the PA Association of Conservation District’s Find Your Conservation District webpage for information on how to contact your county conservation district.

[Posted: October 8, 2024]  PA Environment Digest