USDA invests in 52 urban agriculture projects across the nation in 2022
The current 2022 UAIP grant-supported projects are essential to the progression of a nutritious and sustainable food system and healthy community members.
By Bre Holbert
Ag Daily
December 14, 2022
Excerpt:
In fall of 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced an investment in 52 urban agriculture projects across the United States. The government entity invested a total of $14.2 million to the projects, allowing the recipients of these monies to expand their reach and surpass barriers in access that would have previously hindered them from aiding the populations they services.
Recipients awarded were intentionally selected for efforts that support underserved communities such as those with low access to nutritious food, foster communities, community education on agriculture in urban settings, and expanding green spaces in densely populated cities.
“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 urban landscape while also empowering local communities to provide fresh, healthy foods,” shared Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.
Through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) and funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, the grant has been sustained and has actively awarded projects yearly. Projects include establishing urban agriculture curricula in urban public school programs and creating collaborative community garden plots for people with limited access to spaces to grow nutritious foods.
