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2023 Urban Agriculture Grant Program

CA Department of Food and Agriculture · 44423

Eligibility details

Track 1: Non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, public or private colleges and universities, California Native American Tribes, and Tribal Based non-profit organizations with knowledge and experience in regional food systems are eligible to apply. Track 2: Non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, Native American Tribes, and Tribal Based non-profit organizations are eligible to apply.

Matching funds & resources

Source matching-funds field: Not Required. This grant program does NOT require Matching Funds. The CDFA will fund up to 100% of the total project cost.

Matching funds and leveraged resources are different requirements. Read the description and reviewed rules below before determining resource commitments.

About this opportunity

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a competitive grant that funds programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the State of California. Urban Agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban settings, including things like inground small plot cultivation, raised beds, vertical production, warehouse farms, mushroom growing, urban forestry and tree care, community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and other innovations. Urban farmers and gardeners work among diverse populations to expand access to nutritious foods, foster community engagement, offer workforce development opportunities, educate communities about food and farming, and expand green spaces. Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by or serving priority populations. Priority Populations will be identified using the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map. CDFA is also setting aside up to 10% of awards for Tribal Governments and Tribal Based non-profit organizations. There are two funding tracks: Track 1: Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant: The purpose of the Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant is to increase staff capacity and provide pass through funding for Community-Based Organizations (CBO’s) with grassroots involvement in urban and regional food systems planning. Eligible CBO’s may apply for awards from $200,000 - $800,000 in CDFA funding to engage and administer subawards to urban agriculture stakeholders in their region. Track 1 funded Organizations may utilize between $5,000-$60,000 of the award towards eligible urban agriculture work being done internally. Subawards to external stakeholders will range from $5,000 to $60,000. At least one CBO within each urban region of California will receive an award, and at least one CBO with statewide reach will receive funding. CDFA aims to distribute awards geographically throughout California’s urban areas to the extent possible. Track 2: Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant: The purpose of the Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant is to directly fund urban agriculture projects, providing awards from $75,000 - $300,000 for eligible for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, Tribal Based non-profits, and Tribal Governments that are led by or serve priority populations identified using the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map and located in urban areas as defined by CDFA.

Funding geography: Track 1: Project applicants must serve one of the urban areas of California listed below: Sacramento: Sacramento, Stockton Bay Area: North Bay, East Bay, & South Bay Fresno: Fresno, Bakersfield LA: Los Angeles, Long Beach San Diego: San Diego Statewide Track 2: Will be led by and or serve an urban, priority population as determined using the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map.

Funding instrument: Grant. Issuing jurisdiction: California. This is not a geographic eligibility determination.