USDA Invests $14.4 Million in Urban Agriculture

USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production announced the availability of $2.5 million in Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grants. According to USDA, recipients of UAIP competitive grants, including community gardens and nonprofit farms, will increase food production and access in economically distressed communities, provide job training and education, and allow partners to develop business plans and zoning proposals. Applications are due March 10, 2025. In addition, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that it is providing $11.9 million in funding through an interagency agreement with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to promote hiring of Urban Agriculture Conservation Extension Educators through the Cooperative Extension programs at Land-grant Universities.