Thomas L. Morgart, State Conservationist for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, has announced the agency is rolling out its Urban Agriculture Initiative in Connecticut and will be accepting applications for FY2022 funding through March 18, 2022.

Urban agriculture pioneers are taking action in their communities growing not only fresh, healthy produce, but increasing opportunity and knowledge and improving the beauty of their neighborhoods. Through this initiative, NRCS will help urban farmers care for the natural resources on their land – soil, water, air, plants, and animals by addressing:

• Soil Health - As experts in soil health, NRCS conservationists can advise urban growers on things like what cover crops to grow, using farmers’ soil tests, and our soil surveys.  Financial assistance is also available to help cover the cost of some soil health practices
• Irrigation and Water Conservation - We can help urban growers conserve water by assisting with things like drip irrigation
• Weeds and Pests - We can help with pest and weed management by planting buffers for beneficial insects, and through installation of mulching, cover crops, and various other means
• High Tunnels – NRCS can provide financial assistance for high tunnels, which are used to extend the growing season and protect plants from harsh weather, air pollution, and pests. By making local produce available for more months in the year, fewer resources are used to transport food

“Urban agriculture can play an important role in food justice and equity,” said Morgart. “Such projects have the potential to educate, innovate, and unify communities to improve nutrition and food access and increase local food production in urban areas. According to the census, more than 80 percent of Connecticut’s population lives in or near urban centers – urban agriculture can make a significant positive impact on their health and well-being. Empowering communities to grow local, healthy food goes a long way towards solving issues of food justice and access,” he said.

NRCS serves all agriculture – large to small, conventional to organic, rural to urban. As American agriculture continues to grow in new directions, NRCS conservation assistance is growing along with it. By bringing cultivation and opportunity to both rural and urban areas, NRCS addresses many needs -- restoring the health of the soil and restoring the health of people.

Working an urban farm comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. NRCS can help with those challenges. Interested? Contact Nikki Bak at (860) 902-5369 to learn more.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.