Urban Agriculture Microgrant

Urban Agriculture Microgrant is sponsored by Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF). CAFF is distributing microgrants funded by the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) to support urban farmers and gardeners. Projects can include workforce development opportunities, educating communities about food and agriculture, and expanding green spaces.

Eligible applicants include urban agriculture producers, nonprofit organizations, local government, and other community organizations actively involved in growing crops for their community within 25 miles of an urban area of 50,000 or more people.

Urban Agriculture Microgrant - Community Alliance with Family Farmers 2026 Growing Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program California Urban Growers! CAFF is distributing $10,000 microgrants funded by the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) . Any grower who is within 25 miles of an urban area of 50,000 or more people is encouraged to apply.

Applicable producers can include community-based, for profit, and nonprofit organizations, and local governments and schools. A microgrant can provide up to $10,000 for projects that may need financial support for implementation. The microgrant program is intended to provide funding for up to one year, and projects are expected to be completed within that year.

Microsubvenciones en español November 19 2025 – January 6th 2026 Deadline for Application: January 6th, 2026 11:59 pm PST Do you want to learn more? Thursdays: December 4th, 11th, 18th Topic: CAFF CDFA Microgrants Office Hours Click here to join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web. zoom.

us/j/84329640804 Meeting ID: 843 2964 0804 The CAFF team and urban agriculture advisory committee members will be holding office hours to answer questions and help with applications. Language assistance will be provided in English, Hmong, and Spanish. The application is administered through our online grant management system, Foundant SLM .

When the application opens, click the button below and then select “Create New Account” to fill in your information and access the application. Click here to access Foundant’s library of help and resources for applicants. For more information, please scroll down to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or join us for one of our virtual Office Hours sessions.

For any additional questions, please contact: urbanag[at]caff.

org Frequently Asked Questions Eligibility & Definition of Urban Agriculture Urban agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban environments, including practices such as small in ground plots, raised beds, vertical farming, warehouse farming, mushroom cultivation, urban forestry and tree care, community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic systems, and other innovations.

Urban farmers and gardeners work with diverse populations to expand access to nutritious food, foster community engagement, provide workforce development opportunities, educate communities about food and agriculture, and expand green spaces.

Eligible applicants must operate a business, organization, collective/cooperative, or urban agriculture site, and may include urban agriculture producers, nonprofit organizations, local government, and other community organizations. Applicants must be actively involved in growing crops (e.g., food, fiber, medicine) for their community.

Priority will be given to operations that are (a) led by and/or (b) serve historically underserved producers and communities, and/or (c) serve marginalized populations, including the homeless, the formerly incarcerated, low-income individuals, and schools with a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Priority will also be given to operations/entities that grow or produce for community consumption or use.

All urban farms in California are eligible to apply, but priority will be given to fund projects in the Sacramento, Inland Empire, and Fresno regions. What Types of Project Activities Will Be Funded? Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded.

Permitted uses of funds include, but are not limited to, the following: Site development: e.g., plans and drawings, legal fees, permit fees Soil quality improvement: e.g., soil testing, soil remediation, amendments, composting Equipment and supplies: e.g., tools, tool libraries, pre-harvest washing stations, tool sheds, greenhouses, community gathering spaces, fencing, cold storage Conservation practices: e.g., hedges, cover crops, etc. Water and irrigation systems Development or expansion of value-added products and processing Market access, CDFA certification, and inputs Grant writing assistance and other assistance in accessing federal grants Technical, legal, certification, and business assistance Funds can only be used to cover the cost of new equipment, supplies, infrastructure, etc. and are not applicable for paying off previously financed purchases.

Microgrant awardees will be notified the week of February 2, 2026. Project Implementation and Reporting Requirements 75% of the grant funds will be available upon completion of the contractual agreement and submission of an invoice by the grantee. Awardees will receive a six-month progress check during the project period from the program partners to monitor project progress and provide support, if necessary.

The remaining 25% will be disbursed upon successful completion of the project and submission of the mid year report; requests for full payment will be considered. Grantees who are unable to carry out their proposed projects or who demonstrate significant progress towards completion by the end of the grant period may be required to return the funds. CAFF is required to report on how we use the funds.

Therefore, we ask microgrant recipients to provide a brief reflection on what their project achieved. We also request photographic documentation from before, during, and after the project’s implementation. Reflections can be shared through a written response, a voice recording, a conversation, or a short video—whichever format you prefer.

CAFF and its partners will also conduct a six-month progress review throughout the project period, which is one year. Previous awardees can be found here + more about the grant program: https://caff. org/cdfa-urban-agriculture-grant-program/ Click here to learn more about our Fall 2024 microgrant awardees!

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