Urban Agriculture Grant Program
Welcome to CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork Urban Agriculture Grant Program!
The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a one-time only, competitive grant that will fund programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of CA.
Urban Agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban settings, including things like inground small plot cultivation, raised beds, vertical production, warehouse farms, mushroom growing, urban forestry and tree care, community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and other innovations. Urban farmers and gardeners work among diverse populations to expand access to nutritious foods, foster community engagement, offer workforce development opportunities, educate communities about food and farming, and expand green spaces.
CDFA defines “urban” as a geographic area no more than 25 miles adjacent to or outside of one Urbanized Area containing a population of 50,000 or more people.
Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by or serving priority populations. Priority Populations will be identified using the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map.
CDFA will award up to $11,670,000 for proposals through this solicitation.
Grant Timeline & Process
Schedule for Urban Agriculture Grant Program
Activity | Date (tentative) PT Pacific Time |
---|---|
Public Comment Period | June 1 – June 15, 2023 |
Request for Application Opens | August 21, 2023 |
Request for Application Closes | October 23, 2023 @ 5pm PT |
Application Information Session (will be recorded) | August 29, 2023 @ 1pm-2:30pm PT |
Request for Proposal Review Period | November – February 2023 |
Award Notification Period | March 2024 |
Contract and Grant Agreement Period | March 2024 - May 2024 |
Projects Begin (Estimated) | May/June 2024 |
CDFA's Office of Farm to Fork is excited to announce the Urban Agriculture Grant Program is awarding $11.67 million to 33 projects across California that enhance the viability of urban agriculture.
View the list of CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program Award Recipients.
Press Release: CDFA Awards $11.67 Million For Urban Agriculture Projects Across California
Newsletter & Updates
To stay up to date on the Urban Agriculture Grant Program, please sign up for our newsletter
UPDATE:
Track 1: Systems Builder Community Based Block Grant eligibility has been expanded to include an Inland Empire (San Bernardino, Riverside) Region.
Applicants within Track 1 must serve one of the following regions:
- Sacramento: Sacramento, Stockton
- Bay Area: North Bay, East Bay, South Bay
- Fresno: Fresno, Bakersfield
- LA: Los Angeles, Long Beach
- San Diego: San Diego
- Inland Empire: San Bernardino, Riverside
- Statewide
Please contact our CDFA Urban Ag team at caurbanag@cdfa.ca.gov with any questions.
How Can I Find Out More?
Questions & Answers:
Find the answers to all questions asked to CDFA. This will be updated every two weeks with new questions and answers added to the document. For the questions asked and answered live during the info session please watch the Q&A section of the webinar recording below.
- View the Q&A (last updated 10/20/23)
Information Session Webinar:
August 29, 2023 @ 1:00pm - 2:30 pm PT via Zoom
- View the recording of the Information Session slides overview
- View the recording of the Information Session Q&A
- Download webinar slides
(full overview) - Download webinar slides
(short overview)
Office Hours:
- Office hours will be held during the application period:
- Every Tuesday in September @ 12pm - 1pm
- Every Thursday in October @ 4pm - 5pm
- Click on the Zoom Link during this scheduled time to meet directly with the Urban Agriculture Program Lead in an open forum.
- September Office Hours Zoom Link
- October Office Hours Zoom Link for October
- This is an opportunity for you to ask questions, hear questions and answers from others and provide input directly to program staff. There is no formal agenda for these office hours. We aim to make Program Staff accessible to the public to provide support and answer questions.
- Available in both English and Spanish.
AmpliFund Grants Portal:
To learn more about using the AmpliFund grant portal, including webinars and a user guide, please click on the "AmpliFund Grants Portal Information" dropdown.