USDA Seeks Applications for Two National Funding Competitions to Support Urban Agriculture, Strengthen Food Security

Applications due Aug. 2 for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants

Applications due Sept. 1 for Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making $43.1 million available this year for two national-level funding competitions that support urban agriculture. Projects funded will strengthen the food supply chain and transform the food system to be fairer, more competitive, and more resilient.

This is the third year that USDA is offering these national funding opportunities through the USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Specifically, USDA is investing $10.2 million in new cooperative agreements to expand compost and food waste reduction efforts; and $14.2 million in new grants to support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects.

“Investing in urban agriculture innovations helps us build a fairer, more transparent food system and promote equity by increasing nutrition security and economic opportunity in underserved communities,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Terry Cosby. “These projects will help urban farmers create new, more affordable, and better local market options and help urban communities produce fresh and healthy food locally, reducing food waste while building nutrient rich compost.”

Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Grants

UAIP grants have already provided more than $7.5 million focused on food access, education, business and start-up costs for new farmers, and development of policies related to zoning and other needs. The $14.2 million to be awarded in 2022 will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through:

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

Implementation Projects that accelerate urban, indoor and other agricultural practices that serve multiple farmers and improve local food access. They may support infrastructure needs, emerging technologies, education and urban farming policy implementation.

Applications for UAIP grants are due Aug. 2, 2022 on grants.gov under funding opportunity number USDA-NRCS-UAIP-22-NOFO0001178. More details at: View Opportunity | GRANTS.GOV

Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements  (CFWR)

So far USDA has invested $3 million in community composting in urban areas across the country. The $10.2 million to be awarded in 2022 will fund pilot projects that develop and implement strategies for municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans.

Local governments may submit projects that do one or more of the following:

• generate compost;
• provide access to compost to farmers;
• reduce fertilizer use;
• improve soil quality;
• encourage waste management and permaculture business development;
• increase rainwater absorption; reduce municipal food waste; and/or
• divert food waste from landfills.

Priority will be given to projects that anticipate or demonstrate economic benefits, incorporate plans to make compost easily accessible to farmers, including community gardeners, integrate other food waste strategies, including food recovery efforts and collaborate with multiple partners. Projects should span two years.

Applications for CFWR cooperative agreements are due Sept. 1, 2022 on grants.gov under funding opportunity number USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CFWR-22-NOFO0001179. More details at: View Opportunity | GRANTS.GOV

How to Apply for Grants and Cooperative Agreements

Submit applications via grants.gov for Composting and Food Waste Competitive Agreements and UAIP grants. Pre-recorded webinars on the purpose, project types, eligibility, and basic requirements for submitting applications will be posted at usda.gov/urban. Email UrbanAgriculture@usda.gov with any questions.