Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russel Redding, left, talks with Pastor John Barkley, 59, of Hillcrest Baptist Church, about grant programs from the state. Barkley's church provides the land for the plot, water and some infrastructure. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

The easiest day in the garden is when you plant the crops, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will soon plant another funding seed.

Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding met with the Butler Community Action Partnership on Monday on his first day of a tour of urban gardens addressing food insecurity in counties across the state.

Redding said the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated more than just food insecurity itself, but the awareness of how many people are impacted by it.

“Part of this is the product of COVID, where there is a greater sense of awareness of food and food security, so folks are more aware of the issue,” Redding said. “There is a desire by more people to be involved in community gardens both in participation and recognition of the need, but there are also more people in need.”

Redding said the department soon will open applications for another round of the Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program, which has helped organizations across the state improve garden programs and food security with $500,000 available a year since 2019.

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