USDA Provides $14.4M in Grants to Boost Urban Agriculture

Key Takeaways:

• USDA announced $14.4 million in grants to support urban agriculture and innovative production.
• The funding includes $2.5 million for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grants and $11.9 million for Urban Agriculture Conservation Extension Educators.
• Projects aim to strengthen local food systems, enhance urban farming, and improve conservation efforts.
• Grants will support community gardens, urban farms, and educational programs to boost food production and job training.
• Applications are open on Grants.gov until March 10, 2025.

What Is the Goal of USDA’s Grant Initiative?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $14.4 million in grants to enhance urban agriculture and innovative production. This initiative, managed by the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP), aims to strengthen local food systems and improve access to healthy foods in urban areas.

“This program allows us to partner with communities to address food insecurity and expand urban agriculture,” said Louis Aspey, Acting Chief of NRCS.

How Will the Funding Be Distributed?

The USDA will allocate $2.5 million for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grants, supporting projects like community gardens and urban farms. An additional $11.9 million will fund Urban Agriculture Conservation Extension Educators through Land-grant Universities to enhance urban farming education and conservation.

“These grants will help meet the growing need for food in urban areas,” said Dr. Manjit K. Misra, Director of NIFA.

Examples of Previous Projects

Past UAIP projects have supported:

• Howard-Sumaico School District (Green Bay, Wis.): Hydroponic agriculture education and increased fresh food access.
• Golden Triangle RC&D (Dawson, Ga.): Business development and urban farming training.
• Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (Phoenix, Ariz.): Urban farm development and community health initiatives.

Supporting Urban Agriculture Growth

This funding reflects USDA’s commitment to sustainable urban agriculture and community empowerment. By expanding technical assistance and conservation programs, USDA supports the next generation of urban farmers and ensures long-term food security in densely populated areas.