Photo: Boulder County's Restore Colorado Program
Opportunities
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OUAIP’s Composting and Food Waste Reduction cooperative agreement (CFWR) program is now open! Funding supports local governments, schools, and Tribes in developing innovative, scalable waste management plans that reduce and divert food waste from landfills and test strategies for municipal composting and food waste reduction efforts. Projects can be in communities of all sizes and are part of the federal government’s broader efforts to address food loss and waste. Apply by Sept. 4, 2024. (new)
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NIFA and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education are partnering on a national Community Foods Project Food Loss and Waste Training and Technical Assistance Grant Program. Apply by June 28, 2024.
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NRCS’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program has $1.5 billion in funding for fiscal year 2024. NRCS encourages urban agriculture proposals that address unique natural resource concerns. Visit How to Apply for details and webinars. Assistance in the application process is available for projects that support underserved entities. Apply by July 2, 2024.
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USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement 2501 Program has $22.3 million available for community-based and nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities that help underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Upcoming webinar scheduled for June 26 at 2 p.m. ET (view webinar link and previous recordings). Apply by July 5, 2024.
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NIFA’s Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program provides grants to non-profits to increase the number of military veterans gaining knowledge and skills that lead to successful careers in the food and agricultural sector. Apply by July 11, 2024. (new)
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FSA’s Organic Certification Cost Share Program provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Apply by Oct. 31, 2024.
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Environmental Protection Agency’s Community Change Grants Program supports environmental and climate justice activities. Assistance for grant preparation is available. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Apply by Nov. 21, 2024.
Federal Advisory Committee Updates
USDA is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. The 12-member Committee provides direct input to the Secretary of Agriculture on policy development and identifies barriers to urban agriculture as USDA works to promote urban farming and the economic opportunities it provides in cities across the country. Individuals with the following expertise are encouraged to apply:
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agriculture production using innovative technology,
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higher education institution or extension program,
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food aggregation, wholesale food distribution, food hub, or direct-to-consumer or other supply chain experience,
- related experience in urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices.
The next public meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production will be July 11, from 12 – 5 p.m. ET. Meeting details can be viewed in the Federal Register Notice. Written comments can be submitted via UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov by July 25 at 11:59 p.m. The Committee will deliberate and vote on proposed recommendations and address public comments during the meeting. USDA will share the agenda between 24 to 48 hours prior to the meeting on the Committee’s webpage.
USDA Highlights
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Have you heard about the National Urban Agriculture Conference happening Aug. 4-6 in Detroit, MI? Please join us! USDA’s Farm Service Agency, along with lead organizer NUag Initiative, will welcome 500 attendees to build stronger connections between USDA programs and those working in urban agriculture. The conference features bus tours of urban farms in Detroit; information on USDA resources; listening sessions and presentations; and information on beneficial tools, training, resources, and efforts to expand local and regional food systems. Attendees will include USDA employees; urban farmers; educators and administrators; business and nonprofit leaders; and retail and wholesale companies. A limited number of $1,000 conference scholarships are available, reimbursable to urban farmers and partnering cooperators who register and apply. To learn more and sign up for early bird pricing (on or before June 30), see the website for the conference registration.
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The 2024 Joint National Workshop on Sustainable Development of Controlled Environment Agriculture is scheduled for July 9-12, 2024 in Charleston, S.C. Clemson University and USDA-ARS are proud to host the workshop in collaboration with the Department of Energy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to coordinate the federal government's efforts on CEA research, exchange innovative ideas, and share scientific information and personal experiences to advance the sustainable development of the CEA industry.
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Learn more about USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program, a network of organizations partnering to support transitioning and existing organic farmers. Consider joining as a mentor or mentee or connect with partners in your region!
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On June 12, 2024, the White House, along with USDA, Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the "National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics." This is part of a series of strategies on building a more circular economy for all.
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SUN Programs: USDA's Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids offer families ways to get their kids the nutrition they need in summer when school meals aren’t available. Find SUN meals near you.
People’s Garden Initiative
Photo: Paul Sale, USDA
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The USDA People’s Garden on the National Mall is in full bloom!
- In June, USDA volunteers and community members celebrated Pride Month by planting a rainbow of flowers representing the LGBTQI+ Pride Flag, including celosia, calendula, lobelia, salvia, and dahlia. If you’re in the area, come see our rainbow garden bed bloom!
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While you’re visiting, check-out the new pollinator garden established by The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and USDA People's Garden team! Special thanks to Pinelands Nursery & Supply for beautiful native plants and to our amazing volunteers for making this project possible.
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The Tri-Faith Initiative, in partnership with USDA held the “Summit to Counter Antisemitism & Islamophobia and Related Forms of Hatred and Bias in Rural America”. As part of the event, attendees gathered in Tri-Faith’s Unity Garden, a People’s Garden, to reflect on the role the gardens play to bring people together. Learn more about their work in Growing Faith.
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Do you have a community farm or garden that you’d like to designate a People’s Garden? Join us!
Xerces Conservation Corner
Photo: Xerces blue butterfly, Larry Orsak
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Have you ever wondered how The Xerces Society got its name? The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation was founded in 1971 by lepidopterist Robert Michael Pyle. After hearing of the impending loss of the large blue butterfly from Britain, he was inspired to begin the first organization in the U.S. dedicated to preventing similar extinctions. The organizations’ name (which is pronounced Zer-sees, or /ˈzɚˌsiz/) comes from the now-extinct Xerces blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche xerces), the first butterfly known to go extinct in North America because of human activities. Read more about Xerces’ Story.
Staff Farm Visits
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Brian Guse and Nina Bhattacharyya, OUAIP, recently met with Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production recipients City Sprouts and Community Crops in Nebraska. City Sprouts, Omaha’s first community garden, partners with USDA, the City of Omaha, and others, to advance urban agriculture in the area and establish a thriving, local food system. Community Crops in Lincoln joined forces with Family Service Lincoln to empower people to grow food by offering education, resources, and teaching beginning farmers with hands-on experiences that opens job opportunities and so much more. Urban agriculture is growing and thriving across the country! Thanks to these two organizations making a difference in America’s heartland.
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Brian Guse met with UAIP recipients in Missouri, including Moka Urban Agriculture Initiative in Jefferson City, Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture in Columbia, and South Side Farms in Cape Girardeau. In St. Louis, Brian visited UAIP recipients EarthDance, A Red Circle, and Urban Harvest STL, as well as SEED St. Louis an organization that manages community farms across the city, including International Farm, a People’s Garden. Started in 2008 with funds from USDA and the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the International Farm rents out rows to 39 immigrant and refugee farmers. Learn about how the farm helps foreign-born people connect to their homelands.
In Case You Missed It
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World Wildlife Fund and its partners have developed a simple, easy-to-use Global Farm Loss Tool.
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Upcoming Xerces Events (all webinars and podcasts are available on Xerces YouTube channel and major podcast platforms. Closed Captioning will be available during the webinars):
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In the Life of: Western Butterflies. June 27: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET; Register here.
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In the Life of: Butterflies East of the Rockies. July 25: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET; Register here.
What We’re Reading
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