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In honor of Black History Month, we discussed the meaning and hope inherent in the observance with Black Seeds Farm, a registered USDA People’s Garden and urban farm. Learn about what celebrating Black history means to them here.
Opportunities
- OUAIP’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant program is now accepting proposals that support communities in growing or expanding access to fresh, local food. Application deadline: April 9, 2024.
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RMA’s Micro Farm Program provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on a farm under one insurance policy. This insurance plan is tailored for any farm with up to $350,000 in approved revenue. Sales closing date vary by county, beginning Feb. 28, 2024.
- USDA Forest Service’s Urban & Community Forestry 2024 Challenge Cost Share Grant Program. Application deadline: Feb. 29, 2024.
- EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants include a general competition and tribes and territories competition. General deadline: April 1, 2024. Tribes and Territories deadline: May 1, 2024.
- NIFA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program supports education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. Application deadline: April 4, 2024.
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EPA’s Community Change Grants Program announced $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds for environmental and climate justice activities. Technical assistance for grant preparation is available. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The final application deadline is Nov. 21, 2024.
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NRCS Organic Transition Initiative assists producers with conservation practices and education and training related to organic certification. Visit your local USDA Service Center to apply. Deadlines vary by state.
- Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program, Renewable Energy Systems, and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants fund renewable energy systems or help make energy efficiency improvements for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Multiple deadlines.
Federal Funding Tip: Applicants for federal grant and cooperative agreement opportunities may require an active Sam.gov and Grants.gov registration to apply. Register in these systems now so you are ready when the opportunities are open.
Federal Advisory Committee
- On Jan. 31, the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee welcomed four new members and elected Kaben Smallwood, President/CEO of Symbiotic Aquaponic and Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture, as Chair and Co-Chair of the Committee. Learn more about the member bios, meeting minutes and opportunity for public engagement.
USDA Highlights
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Save the date! The first National Urban Agriculture Conference is Aug. 4-6, 2024, at the Huntington Convention Center in Detroit, MI. Join stakeholders from across the country for training, engagement, and education. We want to hear from you -- please let us know what topics and resources interest you by emailing OUAIP@usda.gov with subject: “Urban Ag Conference”.
People’s Garden Initiative
- Join the Tri-Faith Initiative, USDA and partners for The Summit to Counter Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Related Forms of Hatred and Bias in Rural America from May 15-16, 2024, at Tri-Faith Commons in Omaha, NE. Registration Deadline: March 1, 2024.
- Interested in connecting with gardens across the country? Register for the People’s Garden today and join the network of over 1,600 gardens from across the country. In joining, your garden will be highlighted on the People’s Garden website, sent a sign to display, and provided access to networking calls and a platform to share resources with other gardens.
Xerces Society Conservation Spotlight
- This month’s special feature is Xerces Society’s Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA. The affiliate network includes over 375 cities and colleges across 46 states. Each affiliate commits to improving pollinator habitat, reducing pesticides, and conducting pollinator conservation outreach. In return, Xerces provides continuing education, seasonal “promo kits” to help with outreach, free consulting with staff, and more. Read about the network’s inspiring work on the Bee City Blog and follow Bee City and Bee Campus on Facebook and Instagram. To connect, check out the affiliate map and stay tuned for updates in future newsletters. Let the cross-pollination with People’s Gardens begin!
In Case You Missed It
- The Council of Development Finance Agencies’ (CDFA) Agriculture Finance Center includes webinars, trainings, and frequent updates on local, state, regional, and national funding opportunities. CDFA and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation partnered to create the “Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital Program” with funding from USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement 2501 Grant Program.
- Attend the online Best Practices for Pollinators Summit, Feb. 27-29, 2024, co-hosted by the Pollinator Friendly Alliance and The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Learn ecologically sound land practices that promote pollinators, climate resilience, clean waters, and lands.
What We’re Reading
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