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Grant Money Available for New Urban and Community Farming Pilot Program
Got an idea for growing fruits and veggies in an empty lot? Planting fruit trees along roadways and sidewalks and near public transit stops? What about starting a youth agri-business program to teach farming and entrepreneurship?
Your project might be eligible for a grant under the new Florida Urban and Community Farming Pilot Program. Grant amounts between $5,000 and $50,000 will be awarded to local governments, Florida school boards and community-based nonprofit organizations that offer community gardening and food pantry programs to establish urban and community farming programs in densely populated communities and food deserts.
The program makes available support for urban and community farming projects to promote cleaner air, lower building heating and cooling costs, and provide additional stable, affordable and secure sources of fresh produce. Some examples of eligible projects include:
• Installing a keyhole garden that replaces a parking spot on a street
• Establishing a rooftop garden to grow food
• Building a vertical farm to reduce the land footprint of agriculture
• Establishing a community garden
“My department has focused on thinking outside the box – finding creative ways to grow our agriculture industry, improve access to healthy food across the state, and promote clean energy,” says agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried in announcing the new program. “Investing in urban and community farming moves us towards all of those goals, furthering our commitment to innovation, equity, sustainable agriculture, economic development, and combating the climate crisis by building a clean energy future for all.”
Developed by the FDACS Office of Energy, the pilot program will fund projects that will help reduce carbon dioxide, which can reduce utility costs in urban heat islands, as well as provide a source of nutritious produce to areas that otherwise do not have access. A total of $500,000 in funding will be available for projects over a period of 24 months.
To learn more or apply, click here to view the full Notice of Federal Funding Assistance (NOFA). Complete applications must be received by the FDACS Purchasing Office no later than 5pm, Tues., Aug. 31.
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