USDA Offering $4 million for Urban Ag, Innovative Production Grants
USDA is accepting applications for up to $4 million in grants to develop urban agriculture and innovative production projects. USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production will accept proposals for planning and innovation projects online at grants.gov until midnight on July 30.
Planning projects initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and others in urban and suburban areas. Projects may focus on food access, education, business and start-up costs for new farmers, urban agroforestry or food forests, and development of policies related to zoning and other urban production needs.
Implementation projects accelerate existing and emerging models of urban, indoor, and other agricultural practices that serve multiple farmers. Projects will improve local food access and collaborate with partner organizations and may support infrastructure needs, emerging technologies, education, and urban farming policy implementation.
A pre-recorded webinar will provide an overview of the grants’ purposes, project types, eligibility, and basic application requirements. The webinar will be posted at farmers.gov/urban.
The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production includes representatives from many USDA agencies, including the Farm Service Agency and the Agricultural Marketing Service, and is led by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.