Russell Redding leans down to pick a cherry tomato during a visit to Summit Township Elementary School in 2023. Butler Eagle File Photo

Various Butler County schools are using state grants to further agriculture projects and expand agriculture opportunities for students.

Agriculture and youth grants as part of the Pennsylvania Farm Bill were recently awarded to more than 58 organizations in 29 counties. The purpose of the grants are to encourage young Pennsylvanians to enter the agricultural industry, according to a state Department of Agriculture news release.

Butler Area, Seneca Valley and Moniteau school districts received thousands of dollars to support agriculture-related projects in their schools.

Moniteau superintendent Aubrie Schnelle said her district applied in the fall for the grant. The $7,370 awarded to Moniteau will be used for “horticultural upgrades.” Schnelle said this mostly includes purchasing new hydroponic equipment, used for helping grow plants without soil, for the greenhouse at Moniteau High School.

“We’ve had that greenhouse for at least five years. It started a while ago while the previous superintendent was there,” Schnelle said. “The students have always enjoyed using it.”

Butler Area School District, meanwhile, has two greenhouses, one at the intermediate high school and one at the senior high school. Butler superintendent Brian White said the district had previously received grant money toward building those greenhouses, but will receive $25,000 for general improvements and additions to both.

Seneca Valley School District also received $7,500 for a living laboratory and school garden project. According to a school board meeting agenda from Oct. 7, the grant would be used to create learning opportunities and hands-on experiences that “introduce topics such as aquaponics, garden beds and embryology.”

An increasing amount of schools in Pennsylvania have class activities and programs. White said his district’s schools, including Summit Elementary School, have agriculture activities within their class curriculum.

“We have an agricultural program and are adding to in because Butler County has a large agricultural presence. We have farms, we have family farms, and students are active and we want to help support different pathways, so we're making sure to address students wants and build up the capacity,” White said.