Grant Supports Urban Farming Initiative In Holyoke, Massachusetts
Governor Charlie Baker speaks at the 2018 Small Business Day at the Omni Parker House on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Staff photo by Matt Stone
Grant Supports Urban Farming Initiative In Holyoke, Massachusetts
April 29, 2018 | Associated Press
HOLYOKE, Mass. (AP) — State and local officials are teaming up with a community group to help create a new city farming program in western Massachusetts.
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's administration says the state will invest $200,000 in two Holyoke container farms that will be managed by Nuestras Raices, an organization that supports urban agriculture.
The farms will be located next to the recently-opened Culinary Arts Institute at Holyoke Community College. Officials say interns from the college and apprentices nearby neighborhoods will be taught hydroponic food production and grow leafy greens — such as lettuce and spinach — that will be sold to the college and local restaurants.
The farms are part of a new "transformative development" district in the city.
The state is also spending $1.6 million to help make the district safer for pedestrians.