$75K Chase grant to help urban farm develop on S. Side

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. is receiving a $75,000 grant from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation for the continued development of the agency’s urban farm on the city’s South Side.

The money will help the YNDC develop a training and community center at its Iron Roots Urban Farm, a 1.7-acre property at 820 Canfield Road.

“We are extremely excited to expand our partnership with the JPMorgan Chase Foundation with this significant investment in our Iron Roots Urban Farm facility,” said Presley L. Gillespie, YNDC’s executive director.

“There’s never been a more critical time to devote resources to improving access to healthy foods, job creation and training. The training facilities at Iron Roots will enable YNDC to catalyze the reuse of vacant land for productive means across the city.”

The facility trains and encourages city residents to start new food-based businesses, including market gardens, on vacant land.