The USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production has announced the FY24 Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.
These competitive grants initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access; education; business and start-up costs for new farmers; and development of policies related to zoning and other needs of urban production.
Applications are now being accepted via Grants.gov.
This funding announcement will close 4/9/24.
The funding floor is $75,000, the ceiling is $350,000, and most types of applicants, with the exception of individuals and for-profit businesses, are eligible to apply.
Have question, or looking for more information? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions, FY24 Training Recording for Applicants, and Program Fact Sheet.
Grant Types
Grants can include Planning or Implementation activities:
Planning Activities
Planning activities may include:
- assessing community needs within the local food system;
- researching how food is grown, distributed, or marketed and/or recommending safe growing practices such as soil tests and environmental assessments.
- evaluating how urban agriculture and innovative production can address issues of food access, nutrition, education, conservation, and economic development.
- creating partnerships to improve growing, distributing and marketing of nutritious food;
- conducting business planning, feasibility studies, and other strategies, such as community resource development;
- developing local policy on zoning laws supporting urban agriculture and innovative production; and/or
- creating educational materials and programs that increase knowledge about food and agriculture and encourage careers in urban agriculture and innovative production;
Implementation Activities
Implementation activities may include:
- increasing food production
- promoting agricultural businesses
- providing mentoring, job training, and resources for underserved populations;
- implementing best practices to address food access, zoning, composting, land access, soil health;
- integrating emerging technologies, infrastructure needs (such as access to water and utilities);
- supporting community education about food systems, nutrition, agriculture production, and environment impact;
- operating community gardens or nonprofit farms that offer hands-on training in farming or gardening through virtual or web-based formats; and/or
- providing K-12 schools with educational resources or programs that increase student knowledge and access to locally grown foods.
Resources
- Webinar for 2024 UAIP Grant Applicants
- FY 2024 UAIP Competitive Grants Program FAQs
- Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Fact Sheet (PDF, 2.6 MB)
- Learn more about Urban Farming Grants and Engagement Opportunities
Apply Here - deadline April 9, 2024
Source: USDA in Vermont
