LEXINGTON, Ky. — Bluegrass Community and Technical College announced it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation to improve water access to the rooftop garden at its Newtown Campus.

The funding will strengthen the garden's infrastructure and sustainability, increasing its capacity to grow fresh produce that directly supports students through BCTC's Helping Everyone Attain Resources Together (HEART) Food Pantry. The rooftop garden is a student-driven urban agriculture effort dedicated to addressing campus food insecurity across all BCTC campuses.

"This investment directly benefits our students by helping us expand access to fresh, healthy food," said Dr. Greg Feeney, BCTC president and CEO. "By improving water access in the rooftop garden, we are strengthening a resource that supports student well-being and food security through the HEART program while also providing meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities."

Peter Mottas, community support and outreach coordinator and faculty advisor to the project, called the award "a meaningful step forward for the rooftop garden project." Mottas noted that reliable water access is essential to sustaining and expanding growing capacity while strengthening the garden's role as a living classroom for students facing food insecurity.

The Water and Environment grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation's Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, which focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. The Foundation, established by American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., has invested over $25 million in funding since 2012 to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water.

BCTC was one of four Kentucky organizations to receive 2026 Water and Environment grants announced in May. Other grantees included FoodChain Inc. for expansion of its classroom aquaponics program, the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation for pollinator garden education, and Josephine Sculpture Park Inc. for pond restoration.