By Blake Jackson
New York State is offering $1 million in grants to urban farms and community gardens. The grants are designed to help these spaces grow more food, improve food safety, and distribute food more effectively. The grants are also meant to help these spaces become more resilient to climate change and other challenges.
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, educational institutions, government entities, and Indian tribes. The grants can be used to fund a variety of projects, including hiring staff, buying equipment, and paying for other operating expenses.
The grants are part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to making local food more accessible to all New Yorkers. The grants are also part of the state’s efforts to promote urban agriculture and support community gardens.
New York State is home to more than 3,000 registered or permitted urban and community gardens. These gardens play an important role in providing fresh food to New Yorkers, especially those in underserved communities. They also help green cities and make them more livable.
For more information on the program and how to apply, visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0318-urban-farms-and-community-gardens-grant-program . A virtual webinar, which will provide potential applicants with information about the program, how to apply, and eligibility requirements, will be held on October 25, 2023, at 1:00 pm. For questions or to RSVP to the webinar, please contact Megan.Haggerty@agriculture.ny.gov.
Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: New York, Business, Equipment & Machinery, Government & Policy