The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $14.2 million investment in 52 grants in 27 states for urban agriculture and innovative production to empower local communities.
The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants include funds from last year's American Rescue Plan Act, USDA said in an Oct. 26 news release. The competitive grant program that awarded the funds is already showing positive results, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie said.
"This competitive grant program has already had tremendous impacts for communities across the country, and we look forward to partnering with local organizations to support agriculture in the urban landscape while also empowering local communities to provide fresh, healthful foods," Bonnie said in the release. "This grant program is part of our broad support for urban agriculture, local and regional food systems and underserved communities."
The grants are intended "to expand access to nutritious foods, foster community engagement, increase awareness of climate change and mitigate the effects within urban areas, provide jobs, educate communities about farming and expand green spaces," the news release said.
The grants announced this week are in addition to $26.3 million awarded to projects since 2020 and are part of USDA's support for urban agriculture through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, the release reported.
