The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment of $7.4 million in 25 selected grants aimed at supporting urban agriculture and innovative production. These grants are set to make a positive impact by increasing food production and accessibility in economically distressed communities, providing job training and education, and enabling partners to develop business plans and zoning proposals. The selected recipients include community gardens and nonprofit farms committed to bringing positive change to their localities. This funding initiative builds upon the USDA's continuous support for urban agriculture through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). Since 2020, the USDA has already funded projects worth $40 million in this sector.
Robert Bonnie, USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, emphasized the significance of this competitive grant program in creating positive outcomes for communities across the nation. He expressed enthusiasm for partnering with producers and local organizations to bolster agriculture in urban landscapes while addressing the pressing need for fresh and healthy food. The increasing popularity of the grant program underscores the USDA's dedication to supporting urban agriculture, local and regional food systems, and underserved communities.
The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) competitive grants program encompasses a wide range of activities, with two types of grants available: planning projects and implementation projects. Among the 25 selected projects announced, there are both planning and implementation projects that will drive transformative change in urban and suburban areas.
Planning projects will initiate or expand efforts by various stakeholders, such as farmers, gardeners, government officials, schools, and citizens, to target areas of food access, education, business development, start-up costs for new farmers, urban forestry, and zoning policies for urban production needs. These projects will provide an early-stage investment in new and start-up initiatives, facilitating surveys, assessments, design and planning, business plan creation, feasibility studies, municipal policy development, and zoning best practices.
Examples of planning projects include the Austin Youth and Community Farm Inc. in Texas, which aims to double food production on two urban farms in Travis County using regenerative farming and natural resource conservation practices. Another example is Living Well Kent in Washington, which seeks to advance equity among historically marginalized BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee producers and consumers by transforming the food production system to improve food security.
On the other hand, implementation projects will accelerate urban, indoor, and other agricultural practices that serve multiple farmers and improve local food access. They will provide support for infrastructure needs, emerging technologies, education, and the implementation of urban farming policies. Implementation projects are expected to expand the work on existing urban agriculture projects by offering on-the-job training, mentoring, business development assistance, school training in agricultural careers, and expanding the operations of community gardens and nonprofit farms.
Examples of implementation projects include Athens Land Trust of Georgia, which plans to provide locally grown food to the Athens community while offering workshops, paid employment for youth, and business opportunities for beginning and historically underserved farmers. Similarly, Osage Nation in Oklahoma aims to install supplemental lighting for vegetable production facilities and systems, along with a solar field, and serve as a guide for Native nations looking to implement similar systems.
The selection process was highly competitive, with USDA receiving over 300 applications this year, twice as many as the previous year. In total, 25 projects from 16 states and territories were chosen for funding.
USDA's commitment to urban agriculture extends beyond the UAIP competitive grants program. Other efforts include investing up to $9.5 million for Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements for fiscal year 2023. Additionally, USDA has created and manages a Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production to advise the Secretary on policies and outreach relating to urban agriculture. Moreover, the People's Garden movement has been renewed to promote sustainable practices and resilient, local food systems across the country.
Overall, the USDA's support for urban agriculture and urban food systems projects through various programs reflects its dedication to ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food for all communities while fostering a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. For more information on the selected grant recipients and their project summaries, visit the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants page on the USDA website.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, the USDA is transforming America's food system with a focus on resilience, fairness, and equity. The department is investing in local and regional food production, promoting fair markets for all producers, and working towards climate-smart food and forestry practices. Furthermore, the USDA is committed to equity by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce that represents the diversity of America.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. To learn more about USDA's initiatives and programs, visit www.usda.gov.
