CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork is announcing the Urban Agriculture Grant Program — awarding $11.67 million to 33 projects across California that enhance the viability of urban agriculture.

“Urban agriculture provides places for community gathering, skills-sharing, workforce development, agricultural literacy, and increased food security,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This investment by Gov. Newsom and the Legislature brings a much-needed boost to local, innovative projects across the state dedicated to creating and enhancing local food production.”

Two types of grants have been awarded. Track 1 is the Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant for community organizations, which will provide between $5,000 and $60,000 to urban agriculture projects in their regions.

Recipients of this grant include $783.933 to Agroecology Commons in the Bay Area to uplift and reduce barriers for marginalized farmers by providing farm seed grants, mentorship, and technical assistance.

Track 2 is the Urban Agriculture Practitioners Grant for direct funding to urban agriculture projects. The funded projects include infrastructure, workforce development, community engagement, community gardens and more. Track 2 grant awards include:

• $300,000 for Black Thumb Farm in Los Angeles County to provide an enriching after-school experience for BIPOC youth to learn sustainable farming approaches to improve food equity through mentorship, leadership training, and hands-on training workshops.
• $246,689 for the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians in Sonoma County to increase indigenous food sovereignty through the creation of cultural demonstration areas, hosting gatherings to educate on traditional food production/harvesting methods, providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, highlighting traditional food pathways, and restoring landscapes to include edible native vegetation.

All funded urban agriculture projects are either led by or serve priority populations as defined by the California Climate Investments Priority Population mapping tool.

This means 100 percent of the funding will serve communities that are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and include disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households.

More than $68 million was requested during the application period, highlighting the interest and need for urban agriculture across California.