U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has earmarked $7.4 million for 25 distinct grants, bolstering urban agriculture and pioneering production methods. The funding targets community gardens, nonprofit farms, and other similar initiatives, aiming to enhance food production in struggling communities, facilitate job training and educational programs, and empower recipients to craft business strategies and zoning proposals.

This recent round of grants complements $40 million invested in similar projects since 2020, all under the banner of USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). Due to funding constraints, only the top 10% of 300 applicants were selected, a surge in interest from last year’s application count.

USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Robert Bonnie, remarked on ripple effects in local communities, saying, “This grant program’s growing resonance underscores the pivotal role urban agriculture plays in bolstering local food systems and supporting marginalized communities.”

OUAIP’s grant program is both a planning and implementation device. Planning focuses on priming the pump for urban agricultural endeavors, encompassing initiatives from business strategy crafting to feasibility studies, and zoning policy exploration. Austin Youth and Community Farm Inc. in Texas is set to double its production capacity leveraging sustainable farming techniques. Living Well Kent in Washington seeks to overhaul its food production system, prioritizing marginalized BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee groups.

Implementation projects are action-oriented, looking to amplify existing agricultural operations. These projects expand existing urban agriculture initiatives, whether through business mentoring, infrastructural upgrades, or advancing urban farming policies. Athens Land Trust in Georgia aims to deliver locally sourced food while fostering employment opportunities for the youth and underserved farmers. Osage Nation in Oklahoma is venturing into innovative lighting systems for vegetable cultivation, coupled with the installation of a solar field—potentially serving as a blueprint for other Native nations.

The 25 selected projects span 16 U.S. states and territories. For a comprehensive overview of the recipients and their project outlines, readers can navigate to the USDA’s official Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants page.