Farming A Healthier Future: Agriculture Grants for Urban Farming

Urban farming is a powerful movement, and it’s trending right now. In truth, urban agriculture projects deserve all the hype they are receiving. Why, you may ask? GrantWatch has the answers you need! Urban farming is helping us build a healthier future! Research shows that urban agriculture increases access to healthy foods for urban commutes. Because of this, municipalities all over the nation are offering funding support for this cause through agriculture grants. Community gardens and edible landscapes are popping up all over the place. Read on to learn how you can help the urban farming movement.

Urban Farming Defined

Urban farming is the cultivation of agriculture in urban areas. Urban farming comes in so many forms. This includes edible landscaping, rooftop green spaces, hydroponic and aeroponic gardens, and vertical farming. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are four types of urban farming. These categories are community gardens, community farms, commercial farms, and institutional farms and gardens.

How Urban Farming Impacts Our Communities

Urban farming projects impact their communities in so many enriching ways. It increases the public’s awareness of climate change, food security, biodiversity, pollinators, and nutrition. For example, some farms donate to food banks. Local-forward businesses like grocery stores, markets, and restaurants source locally-grown produce from urban farms. Furthermore, urban farms enrich the community by organizing plant swaps and other community-driven events. Urban farms provide valuable resources and build community in urban neighborhoods. Equally important, urban agriculture adds green spaces in disadvantaged areas. These green spaces reduce the effects of climate change while providing healthy food to the community.

How To Support Urban Farming

As mentioned above, there are many reasons to participate in urban farming. For instance, urban farming and agriculture help make cities more equitable. After learning the benefits of urban farming for yourself and the community, we hope you have been inspired to join the urban farming movement. Below are ways to get involved.

1. Buy Food From Local Farmers – Support urban farmers by purchasing their products at farmers’ markets and locally-owned grocery markets
2. Local Urban Farming Initiatives – Volunteer your time or donate to support your local farming nonprofits.
3. Attend Urban Farming Conferences & Events – Events like the National Urban Agriculture Conference provide helpful programs and resources
4. Community Gardens – Many communities have a community garden established. To assist you in your search, the American Community Gardening Association provides an easy-to-use platform to find or list a community garden.
5. Grow Food at Home – Gardening can have a positive impact on your mental health. So why not try your hand at growing food at home? Grab seeds, dirt, and containers. Place your containers in the sunshine and water them daily.

“When we started our first urban farm in 2013, people thought we were crazy. The land, a small corner lot, was a mess – overgrown, and filled with trash. Scores of volunteers, including the lot’s owner, moved dirt and cleared out trash, weeds, and rocks to make this garden grow. As the garden began to take shape, it started to generate lots of attention. People would pull over in their cars to watch the transformation. Folks from the local homeless shelter came over to lend a hand and learn more. Neighbors stopped by to tell us stories of the gardens they used to grow. In short, the farm became a nucleus of a newly forming community.” (Francey Slater, a co-founder of Mill City Grows)

Agriculture Grants For Urban Farming

Agriculture grants for urban farming are a valuable resource for many communities. Because of this, more and more grant funders have created grants just for urban farming. Below are agriculture grants for urban farming to help you start your grant research.

1. Grants to Nonprofits, Farmers, & Food Producers to Promote Urban Agriculture – Up to $25,000 for nonprofit organizations, farmers, producers, and food entrepreneurs for projects and activities that advance urban agriculture. Funding is intended to promote creative, forward-thinking, and novel projects to advance urban agriculture in Illinois.
2. Projects Addressing Food Insecurity in Urban Areas – Up to $50,000 to individuals, businesses, and organizations working in agriculture for programs relating to food insecurity in eligible urban areas.
3. Improve Agriculture and Promote Economic Development – Grants to for-profit businesses, individuals, municipalities, collaborations, and associations to enhance agricultural resources and promote economic development in urban areas.
4. In-Kind Support to New York Community Gardens for Soil Testing – In-kind support to community gardens for soil testing. The program benefits community gardens by testing for metals, acidity, and nutrient content of the soil. Soil tests help farmers and gardeners with plant selection, soil preparation, and fertilization to optimize the growth of their crops.
5. Funding For Nonprofit Organizations Developing Food Systems – Grants of up to $25,000 for programs and initiatives that develop food systems and agriculture, conserve natural resources, and preserve historic arts, culture, and heritage. 

Additional Urban Farming Grants

1. Urban Gardeners – $5,000 to individuals and organizations to support for-profit gardening ventures.
2. In-Kind Support of Gardens and Resources – In-kind support of gardens and resources for community groups and K-12 schools. It supports new and established gardens, provides educational resources for local schools, and supports urban farms, and community and school gardens
3. Charitable Projects and Initiatives – Grant funding supports urban environmental sustainability, environmentally sustainable agriculture, and transitions to employment for youth and young adults.
4. Gardening and Agricultural Projects – Up to $2,000 to nonprofits and schools to promote agricultural education activities. Funding involves PreK-12 students and school-based greenhouses and gardens.
5. Environmental Projects – Organizations with environmental projects my get grant funding to focus on trees, water, bees, pollinator gardens, education, and sustainability. Previous grants have supported tree planting programs, community gardens, and gardening workshops.

Do You Need To Hire A Grant Writer?

We encourage organizations focused on urban farming to visit GrantWatch and apply for agriculture grants. We also understand that not everyone wants to write their own grant application. To that end, if you are interested in hiring a grant writer for your cause, post a classified ad on GrantWriterTeam. Professional grant writers will then contact you to discuss your project. If you feel it is a good fit, you can hire them. It is as simple as that.

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