Young presents grant for apprenticeships at Bartram’s Garden
Funding will develop pilot for opportunities in urban agriculture
Rep. Regina Young May 28, 2025 | 1:15 PM
PHILADELPHIA, May 28 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware presented a check for $399,532.92 from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to Bartram's Garden to create a pilot program to equip and prepare local young adults for careers in urban agriculture.
In photo, L-R: Ty Holmberg, co-director, Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram's Garden; State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, D-Phila./Delaware; Chris Bolden-Newsome, co-director, Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram's Garden; Maitreyi Roy, executive director, Bartram’s Garden; State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware; Steven Young, student at the Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden; Xeyah Martin, executive director, Empowered CDC
Young said this grant money is crucial to uplifting agricultural opportunities in this urban community.
“Bartram’s Garden is a hidden gem in our backyard here in Southwest Philly,” Young said. “When you’re in this space, you would never know that you are just a few hundred feet from the streets of Philadelphia. Bringing young adults into this communal area and opening their eyes and minds to the possibilities of urban agriculture can be transformational. This grant will create opportunities for young people looking for a rewarding career in areas they may never have before considered or knew existed.”
This grant will build on the accredited, nationally recognized youth workforce development program at the Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden, creating an 18-month pilot program for a new registered apprenticeship focused on local young adults 18–24 to prepare for and connect with careers in urban agriculture.
“We see every day how powerful it can be for a young person to build their skills in nature,” said Maitreyi Roy, Bartram’s Garden’s executive director. “The work of the Sankofa Community Farm has always been anchored in youth leadership and the importance of community food sovereignty. It’s wonderful to see this recognition of the extraordinary education provided at the farm and to build a pathway for recognizing farming as a crucial part of a healthy city.”
The grant is part of over $2.5 million in funds recently announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to support the development or expansion of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in the agriculture sector.