The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Grant Program, inviting applications to support urban farming and innovative agricultural production. The program aims to improve access to fresh and healthy food, particularly in areas with limited availability, and to support various agricultural initiatives through both planning and implementation activities.
Goals and Objectives
The primary objectives of the UAIP Grant Program include:
- Supporting urban agriculture and innovative production across eligible entities.
- Enhancing food accessibility in underserved communities through various agricultural practices, such as community gardens, rooftop farms, urban agroforests, food forests, greenhouses, hydroponic and aquaponic systems, and vertical farming.
- Promoting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit multiple farmers or gardeners and directly impact communities lacking access to fresh, healthy foods.
Funding Information
The program has allocated a total of $2,500,000 for grants, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. Projects should be planned for a duration of 24 months, with an estimated start date of September 30, 2025.
Eligible Activities
Planning activities may involve:
- Assessing the needs of underserved communities regarding food production, distribution, and marketing.
- Developing community partnerships to enhance local food systems.
- Conducting business planning, feasibility studies, and policy development to support urban agriculture.
- Creating educational materials and programs on food and agriculture.
- Ensuring safe growing conditions through soil testing and environmental assessments.
Implementation activities may include:
- Expanding food production using innovative agricultural techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical farming.
- Providing job training, land access, and equipment resources for beginning farmers.
- Addressing food access, zoning laws, composting, soil health, and infrastructure needs.
- Operating community gardens or nonprofit farms that offer hands-on agricultural training.
- Educating school students on food systems, nutrition, and agricultural careers.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- Independent school districts
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status
- Public housing authorities
- Special district governments
Ineligible Applicants
The following entities are not eligible for funding:
- Foreign organizations and public entities
- Partnerships or other grouped applications (only a single entity may apply, but partners can be subrecipients)
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Private and public higher education institutions
- State governments
Review Criteria
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- The applicant’s training and experience in relevant fields.
- The inclusion of experts across different agricultural specializations.
- The diversity of organizational types and geographic locations.
- Equitable representation in terms of minority, female participation, and age distribution.
- The potential effectiveness and relevance of the application for producers and the public.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following:
- Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
- Project Narrative and Abstract
- Budget Information and Budget Narrative
- Current and Pending Support
- Applicant Contact Information
- Attachments related to subawards, conflict of interest, and lobbying disclosures
The grant program aims to foster agricultural innovation and sustainability in urban communities, ensuring better food security and economic opportunities for local farmers and gardeners.
