This week, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Farm to Fork announced $11.67 million in funding awards through their Urban Agriculture Program focused on urban and disadvantaged communities throughout the state.
More than $68 million was requested in funding through this highly competitive program. Among the successful applicants was the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD), a special district serving parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties and ultimately awarded $783,935 for their proposal to support urban agriculture projects within their service area.
Through this regional block grant, the IERCD will provide technical assistance to partners and administer sub awards between $5,000 – $60,000 for urban agriculture projects in the Inland Empire. These sub awards can be used to fund project infrastructure, equipment purchase, technical assistance, workforce development, and community engagement.
This State investment is projected to benefit the IERCD’s service area through helping to address some of the barriers faced by agricultural practitioners and stakeholders in a rapidly-urbanizing region. The financial and technical resources available through this program will support critical urban agriculture projects and urban farmers that are working to enhance local food production and food security.
The IERCD will be advertising the sub award program here; be sure to check back for timeline updates and program contact information. To learn more about the Farm to Fork Urban Agriculture Program, click here.
