The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (the “Department”) is pleased to announce the availability of funds for of the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Competitive Grants Program.
Donor Name: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
State: New York
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/01/2023
Size of the Grant: not to exceed $50,000
Grant Duration: 10 months
Details:
The Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program will have funds available through a competitive process to support the development and expansion of community gardens, school gardens, and urban farms across the state. The Commissioner, in consultation with the New York State Community Gardens Task Force, has developed this grant program to recognize the important impacts of community growing spaces on food security and to promote the expansion and sustainability of these sites. This grant complements the work of the Department in providing technical assistance to community growing organizations statewide.
The grant program will fund projects for the development and enhancement of urban farms, school gardens, and community gardens. The Department is seeking feedback on the greatest needs and ways for this funding to create a lasting impact on local food resiliency.
Across New York State, there are over one thousand community growing spaces in both rural and urban landscapes, and there is demand to establish more and expand existing sites. Most community growing spaces are in underserved communities and often, the mission to grow one’s own plot is to feed themselves. There is little capital to help maintain these plots. Similarly, coordinators of these spaces are often not-for-profits with limited support to expand and sustain capacity, develop infrastructure, and secure reliable tenancy to the land. This grant program was established as a strategy to improve food security by making resources available to ensure the viability and sustainability of these community growing spaces.
Funding Information
A total of $1,000,000 is available for the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program. The State will cover up to 90% of the total project costs, with the total State contribution not to exceed $50,000. Minimum grant amount of $20,000.
Project Duration
Proposed projects must be completed within the project term of 3/1/2024-12/31/24.
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects will establish new growing spaces, and/or expand infrastructure in existing community growing spaces, and/or build capacity through programming and staff. Projects may include but are not limited to:
- Re-granting to other organizations to support start-ups and capacity building
- Personnel expenses including salaries, internships, stipends, and training opportunities
- Purchase of materials, equipment, and tools
- Planning and consulting
- Improvements to infrastructure related to food production (growing), food storage, food distribution areas
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Not-for-profit Educational Institutions, including K-12 schools and universities
- Municipal Government Entities
- Community-led groups can work with a fiscal sponsor to apply
- Indian tribal organizations
For more information, visit NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
