The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment of $14.4 million in grants and technical assistance to support urban agriculture and innovative production. These funds are being provided through two separate projects, with $2.5 million allocated for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grants and $11.9 million for the hiring of Urban Agriculture Conservation Extension Educators.
USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) has been actively supporting UAIP grant projects since 2020, with a total investment of $53.7 million. The current funding will further enhance these efforts by providing grants to recipients such as community gardens and nonprofit farms. These grants aim to increase food production and access in economically distressed communities, provide job training and education, and support the development of business plans and zoning proposals. The program covers a wide range of activities, including planning and implementation initiatives. Planning activities involve various stakeholders in urban and suburban areas, while implementation activities focus on accelerating existing and emerging agricultural practices.
In addition to the UAIP grants, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is collaborating with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to provide funding for the hiring of Urban Agriculture Conservation Extension Educators. These educators will work with NRCS employees in 27 cities designated as urban priority locations to deliver technical assistance and connect producers to conservation planning and program opportunities. Their responsibilities include assisting urban agriculture producers in conserving natural resources, identifying conservation priorities, addressing zoning and permitting issues, implementing climate-smart mitigation activities, and promoting innovative forms of agricultural production.
The partnership between NRCS and NIFA will also support the development of an Impact Collaborative for urban agriculture service delivery, allowing NRCS to expand their assistance to urban producers beyond the designated priority cities. More information on the Urban Agriculture Extension Educators and the Impact Collaborative will be provided in the future.
USDA officials have expressed enthusiasm for these initiatives, highlighting the importance of strengthening local food systems, increasing access to healthy foods, and meeting the needs of densely populated urban areas. The grant program has seen a growing interest from communities nationwide, and USDA looks forward to partnering with more organizations to achieve these goals.
To learn more about the recipients of UAIP grants and their project summaries, visit the USDA website at www.usda.gov/urban. Additionally, a pre-recorded webinar on Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants provides detailed information on the purpose of the grants, project types, eligibility criteria, and application requirements.
This funding announcement reflects USDA’s commitment to supporting urban agriculture and innovative production, fostering sustainable practices, and enhancing food security in communities across the country. By investing in these projects and initiatives, USDA aims to create a more resilient and equitable food system for all Americans.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture (https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/01/08/usda-announces-grants-and-technical-assistance-funding-urban-agriculture-and-innovative-production)
