Launch or expand your urban farm with funding for infrastructure, equipment, training, youth programs, and community food access. Below you’ll find who qualifies, what’s typically funded, how to apply, a ready-to-use application checklist, and a starter directory of grant programs in the U.S. and Canada—plus FAQs.
WHY APPLY
• Reduce startup and expansion costs (tunnels, irrigation, lights, cold storage).
• Fund workforce training, youth programs, and community education.
• Improve food access (EBT acceptance, mobile markets, CSA subsidies).
• Pilot new crops, technologies, and climate-smart practices.
WHO QUALIFIES
• Urban and peri-urban farms, community gardens, school gardens, and nonprofits.
• For-profit micro-farms and social enterprises with community benefit.
• Food hubs, co-ops, and small processors tied to local producers.
• Municipal/tribal/First Nations projects improving local food systems.
WHAT YOU CAN FUND (TYPICAL)
• Infrastructure: high tunnels/greenhouses, drip irrigation, wash/pack areas, cold rooms.
• Equipment: racks, LED grow lights, small tools, compost systems, sensors, software.
• Capacity: staff time, training, safety certifications, curriculum, translation.
• Markets: EBT terminals, POP materials, CSA setup, mobile market retrofits.
• Climate-smart: rainwater capture, soil health, composting, electrification upgrades.
HOW TO APPLY (5 STEPS)
- Match the grant’s purpose: food access, climate-smart ag, workforce, or markets.
- Define outcomes: pounds of food, households served, jobs trained, acres/tunnels added.
- Build a simple budget: list items, unit cost, quantity, total; flag match (if required).
- Gather documents: business/nonprofit registration, letters of support, site control.
- Submit on time: follow formatting rules; attach quotes; keep copies of everything.
QUICK ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST
• Located in an urban or peri-urban area (or serving one).
• Able to track outputs (yields, households, trainees) for reports.
• Site control (lease, deed, or MOU) for the project period.
• Basic bookkeeping to manage funds and receipts.
• Community partners or letters of support (recommended).
APPLICATION PACKET (READY LIST)
• One-page project summary (who, what, where, why now).
• Goals & outcomes (with numbers and dates).
• Work plan timeline (Month 1–12).
• Itemized budget + vendor quotes or screenshots.
• Organization overview (team, experience, partners).
• Site control proof (lease/deed/MOU) and permits (if needed).
• Letters of support (school, food pantry, neighborhood group).
• Evaluation & reporting plan (how you’ll measure success).
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WHERE TO FIND GRANTS (STARTER DIRECTORY)
United States — National
• USDA Urban Agriculture & Innovative Production (UAIP) — planning & implementation grants; supports urban production, composting, education.
• USDA Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) — supports local food enterprises, markets, CSAs, and value chains.
• USDA Community Food Projects (CFP) — multi-year grants to reduce food insecurity via community-led strategies.
• USDA NRCS (EQIP & Urban Initiatives) — cost-share for high tunnels, irrigation, conservation practices.
• AmeriCorps & USDA partnerships — service members for food access/education projects.
• Private foundations (Kresge, Aetna, Whole Cities, Walmart Foundation) — small to mid-sized urban ag and food access grants.
United States — State/City Examples
• State Departments of Agriculture — Specialty Crop Block Grants (produce/herbs/flowers).
• Healthy Soils/Climate-Smart programs (varies by state) — soil health, compost, water capture.
• City/County mini-grants — community garden/food access funds through health departments or sustainability offices.
Tip: Search “[your city] urban agriculture grant” and “[your state] department of agriculture grants.”
Canada — National/Provincial
• Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) — cost-share via provinces for equipment, innovation, and market development.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) — innovation, youth employment, and processing programs (streams vary).
• Provincial programs (e.g., OMAFRA in Ontario, MAPAQ in Québec, BC Ministry of Agriculture) — small equipment, markets, and climate adaptation.
• Municipal grants — community garden, food security, and environmental action funds.
• Foundations & corporate giving (Weston Family Foundation, Green Municipal Fund) — urban food infrastructure and education.
Grant-Finder Tips
• Use government portals (grants.gov in the U.S.; provincial portals in Canada).
• Filter by “agriculture,” “food access,” “community development,” “environment.”
• Set calendar reminders 4–6 weeks before typical deadlines (spring/fall cycles).
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SAMPLE BUDGET (COPY THIS FORMAT)
• High tunnel (30’×48’): $7,800
• Irrigation (drip + timer): $1,250
• Wash/pack tables, sinks, sanitizer: $1,600
• Cold room (insulation + AC + controller): $4,900
• Tools & PPE (hand tools, totes, gloves): $850
• LED lights (starter set or replacements): $2,400
• Outreach & education materials: $600
• Project coordinator (part-time, 6 months): $6,000
• Contingency (≤5%): $1,250
Total: $26,650 (Applicant match: $2,650 if 10% required)
REPORTING (WHAT FUNDERS EXPECT)
• Outputs: lbs of produce, households served, # of markets/CSA shares, trainees.
• Photos and receipts for funded items.
• Before/after notes on access, affordability, or climate benefits.
• Short narrative: what worked, what changed, what’s next.
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FAQs
Q: Do I need nonprofit status?
A: Not always. Many programs accept for-profit farms if the project benefits the community. Read each program’s eligibility.
Q: Do I need matching funds?
A: Sometimes (5–50%). Match can be cash or in-kind (volunteer hours, donated materials) depending on the program.
Q: Can I buy land with a grant?
A: Rarely. Most grants fund equipment, infrastructure, training, and program costs—not land purchases.
Q: What if I’m a brand-new farm?
A: Start with planning or micro-grants and build partnerships; show a simple plan and a modest, measurable first year.
Q: How long does it take to hear back?
A: Typically 60–180 days after the deadline; keep a second option (loan/lease) if timing is critical.
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READY-TO-SEND INQUIRY (COPY/PASTE EMAIL)
Subject: Urban Farm Grant Inquiry – [Your Project Name]
Hello [Program Contact],
We operate an urban farm at [address/city]. We plan to [brief goal, e.g., add a high tunnel and cold storage] to serve [community/partners].
Could you confirm our eligibility and whether the following items are fundable: [list 3–5 items]?
We can provide site control, budget, and letters of support.
Thank you,
[Name, Role, Phone, Email]
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DISCLAIMER
Grant programs change frequently. Always read the current guidelines on the funder’s website before applying. This page is general guidance only. © 2025 Urban Farm Grants Guide.