Job-training nonprofit moving out of Butler County
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Although Growing Together Aquaponics mainly plants small crops and produce, the program has outgrown its space in a warehouse on Arrowhead Drive.
Bob Arnhold, CEO and president of Growing Together Aquaponics, said by the end of June the program will move out of the North Country Brewing facility and into the Mercer County Career Center, in what he called a mutual decision.
“It’s a good opportunity for us; we need to get out of here and grow,” Arnhold said. “It’s time to move on, and we’ll be able to serve much more kids.”
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Although Growing Together Aquaponics mainly plants small crops and produce, the program has outgrown its space in a warehouse on Arrowhead Drive.
Bob Arnhold, CEO and president of Growing Together Aquaponics, said by the end of June the program will move out of the North Country Brewing facility and into the Mercer County Career Center, in what he called a mutual decision.
“It’s a good opportunity for us; we need to get out of here and grow,” Arnhold said. “It’s time to move on, and we’ll be able to serve much more kids.”
Growing Together Aquaponics has been making aquaponic gardens in the warehouse for more than five years, Arnhold said. The nonprofit has an educational focus, and is a career-training organization for people with disabilities.
“Sometimes schools, special education directors or transition specialists will bring classes over; parents, or sometimes students who are graduating school, will recruit us for training,” Arnhold said. “We want to keep it open to this county because we have a lot of connections.”
Growing Together Aquaponics already has another location in Liberty Township in Mercer County, which is minutes from the Arrowhead Drive location, and will stay in operation after the move.
Marena Toth, chief operations officer at Growing Together Aquaponics, said that although the agency is moving out of the county, it will still serve Butler County residents. She said there are already limited options in the area for programs of its kind.
“With certain programs closing down around here, we are starting to become one of the only programs who offer these type of programmings,” Toth said. “So we are one of parents’ last options, and they’ll drive 45 minutes to an hour to get to us.”
Toth also said moving all of the agency’s equipment will be just a minor setback in terms of plant growth. She said it takes about 30 days to grow most of the plants sold to buyers.
According to Arnhold, the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation refers students from many surrounding counties who need job training.
He said the move to another county won’t mean service to Butler County will end.
“I think it’s a good move for us,” Arnhold said. “We’re still going to serve Butler County students from school districts.”
