Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants

Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) competitive grants initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access; education; business and start-up costs for new farmers; and development of policies related to zoning and other needs of urban production.

Grant Types

Grants are divided into two categories:

Planning projects initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access; education; business and start-up costs for new farmers; and development of policies related to zoning and other needs of urban production.

Implementation Projects accelerate existing and emerging models of urban, indoor, and other agricultural practices that serve multiple farmers. Projects will improve local food access and collaborate with partner organizations and may support infrastructure needs; emerging technologies; educational endeavors; and urban farming policy implementation.

Resources

Webinar for 2023 Grant Applicants
FY 2023 UAIP Competitive Grants Program FAQs
FY 2022 UAIP Competitive Grants Program FAQs (PDF, 777 KB)
Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants Program Presentation (PDF, 3.2 MB)
Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Fact Sheet (PDF, 2.6 MB)
Learn more about Urban Farming Grants and Engagement Opportunities

Stories

USDA Partners with Association of Africans Living in Vermont | USDA

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Success Stories

Common Ground Producers and Growers, KS (Implementation Project)

The Common Ground Urban Innovation Project facilitates the development of entrepreneurial projects such as job training, land, equipment, mentoring, and other business development assistance to new and beginning farmers. 25% of the work outlined in the grant, has been accomplished during year one. The Common Ground Mobile Market also encourages farmers and growers to expand their production. Hands-on training in farming and gardening to growers and students in the targeted zip codes will be offered and part-time community-based staff will be hired from targeted zip codes. During year two more qualitative data will be gathered regarding whether consumers have changed their food purchasing or eating habits due to the mobile market, as well as how often consumers return to the market and recommend it to others. Another growth area will be to provide further nutrition education through physical/digital materials and cooking classes to promote healthy eating. For more information, please view the Common Ground Producers and Growers Helps Wichita Residents video.

Tampa Family Health Centers, FL

Building upon the efforts of a Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization project, Tampa Family Health Care Centers (TFHC) is excited and eager to expand upon the current efforts of the Garden Steps Project. The project purpose is to improve the quality of medical and mental/emotional/behavioral (MEB) health by increasing access to care through the reduction of barriers to healthy food and the increase in outdoor activities. They will complete a comprehensive Implementation Plan based upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Implementation Plan Template, approved by Sherry Hoback, President and CEO. TFHC will identify 200 patients with indicated conditions who are willing to complete an Intent to Change survey of eating behaviors as measured by actual number completing survey. Finally, they plan to conduct surveys to at least 2,500 individuals, with or without indicated conditions, who intend to use knowledge of the garden, its launch date and how to get involved, as measured by actual number completing surveys. For more information, please view the Tampa Family Health Care Centers page.

Grants News

July 18, 2023 News Release: USDA Invests $7.4 Million in 25 Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Efforts
January 30, 2023 News Release: Urban Producers, Public Invited to Attend February Meeting of Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
October 26, 2022 News Release: USDA Invests $14.2 Million in 52 Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Efforts
June 3, 2022 News Release: USDA Advances Food System Transformation with $43 Million for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, Adds New Urban County Committees
October 5, 2021 News Release: USDA Announces Recipients of Urban Agriculture Grants and Cooperative Agreements
May 17, 2021 News Release: USDA Announces Cooperative Agreements for Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction - 2021