Urban Agriculture Resilience Program - 2026 Capstone Cohort

Urban Agriculture Resilience Program - 2026 Capstone Cohort is a grant from the United States Botanic Garden and American Public Gardens Association that funds established public gardens seeking to sustain and institutionalize their urban agriculture and food-growing programs.

Awards of $55,000 per participant support a small cohort of five public gardens with programming that combines food growing and education, helping them achieve long-term organizational resilience. Since 2020, the program has invested $2. 5 million across 131 projects in 34 states and D.

C. , collectively growing over 720,000 pounds of produce and providing 49,000 hours of urban agriculture training. Eligible applicants are U.S. public gardens with existing urban agriculture programs combining food growing and educational components who are ready to institutionalize their work.

Urban Agriculture Resilience Program – APGA Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Symposia & Special Events Past Scholarship Recipients Hope Goddard Iselin Fellowship Learn More About Communities Garden Friendly Providers Plant Collections Network Public Gardens Sustainability Index Urban Agriculture Resilience Program Plants and Climate Change Education (PLACCE) Tree Gene Conservation Partnership Public Gardens As Sentinels Against Invasive Plants Home / Grow Your Garden / Promote / Urban Agriculture Resilience Program Urban Agriculture Resilience Program Urban Agriculture Resilience Program admin 2026-01-27T16:39:47+00:00 Urban Agriculture Resilience Program In 2020, the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) and the American Public Gardens Association (the Association) initiated the Urban Agriculture Resilience Program.

Since its inception, the program has supported 131 urban agriculture projects nationwide, promoting public garden participation in collaborations that combine food growing and education while addressing food security challenges facing communities. Over the program’s six years, we have awarded $2. 5 million to 131 projects in 34 states and D.

C. These programs have grown and shared over 720,000 pounds of produce, distributed more than 268,000 seedlings, and provided more than 49,000 hours of urban agriculture training to students, interns, and trainees.

Find Food Garden Related Resources in the Library/Media center Applications Closed – 2026 Capstone Cohort Program The United States Botanic Garden (USBG), Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest, and the American Public Gardens Association (the Association) are partnering to support public gardens and their partners to facilitate collaborative urban agriculture, community gardening, and other food-growing projects. Apply now!

The 2026 Urban Agriculture Resilience Program Capstone Cohort will comprise a small group of 5 established urban agriculture projects seeking to sustain and institutionalize their work. Participants will receive mentoring and technical support from Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest to help build the sustainability of their programs.

Build urban agriculture capacity in public gardens community Provide funding ($55,000 per participant) and peer mentoring (provided by Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest) for a cohort of 5 established urban agriculture projects. Share models and lessons learned with the broader community of public gardens Questions about the Program Applications are closed for the 2026 program.

Any questions r egarding the program and eligibility may be directed to Bailee Neese at bneese@publicgardens. org Key Criteria for Applicants: Must be a public garden in the United States. Must use funds to support urban agriculture or other food growing programming in urban or metropolitan areas; programs must combine food growing and education components.

Must be an existing project seeking to sustain and institutionalize their work. Must be able to clearly describe the budget and anticipated impact of the funding and mentorship received. Criteria for Participation Priority will be given to programs that demonstrate: Ability to use the funds to advance their project toward long-term sustainability.

Evidence of creative utilization or leveraging assets of a U.S. public garden and community partners.

Concerted efforts to combine food growing and education (e.g., food growing education, culinary and/or nutrition education, etc.), particularly through the following types of projects: Food as Medicine / Produce Prescription Programs Sustainable Farming Production (specifically diversified vegetable production) More priority areas are outlined in the criteria.

Program participation requirements: Participate in seven virtual cohort check-in meetings. Participate in three one-on-one mentoring sessions with Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest Travel to Chicago for three days of site visits. Publicly sharing results and lessons learned from their Capstone Cohort experience in a virtual presentation.

Download Application Preview Information Session and Q&A Information Session Slides Participants 2020 to Present Atlanta Botanical Garden, Georgia Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York Cape Fear Botanical Garden, North Carolina Delaware Center for Horticulture, Delaware Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Alabama Friends of the National Arboretum, Washington, D.

C. Georgeson Botanical Garden, Alaska Grumblethorpe Historic House and Gardens, Pennsylvania Idaho Botanical Garden, Idaho Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, Tennessee Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, University of Michigan, Michigan Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Minnesota North Carolina Botanical Garden, North Carolina Paul J.

Ciener Botanical Garden, North Carolina Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Pennsylvania Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pennsylvania Queens Botanical Garden, New York San Antonio Botanical Garden, Texas Santa Fe Botanical Garden, New Mexico State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Georgia The Gardens on Spring Creek, Colorado Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Massachusetts University of Maryland Community Learning Garden, Maryland University of Tennessee Gardens, Tennessee University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Washington Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and Community Kitchens • Desert Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Unlimited Potential, TigerMountain Foundation, The Orchard Community Learning Center, and Roosevelt School District • The Gardens on Spring Creek, in collaboration with Food Bank for Larimer County • Delaware Center for Horticulture, in collaboration with Pennsylvania Horticultural Society • Friends of the National Arboretum, in collaboration with the U.S. National Arboretum • Atlanta Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Friends of Refugees and Global Growers Network • Trees Atlanta, in collaboration with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Resilience and the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation • The Morton Arboretum, in collaboration with Homan Grown, Stone Temple Baptist Church, and Permaculture Chicago Teaching Institute • University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, in collaboration with Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network D-Town Farm • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, in collaboration with Pillsbury United Communities, WE WIN Institute, St.

Paul City Schools, Plymouth Christian Youth Center, Kaleidoscope Place, North Point Health & Wellness Center Community Food Shelf, and CAP Agency Food Shelf • EarthDance, in collaboration with The Vine at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Restorative Justice Movement, and BTC St.

Vincent’s Food Pantry • Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center, in collaboration with The New York Botanical Garden, Morris Campus Farm, La Finca del Sur, and Morning Glory Community Garden • Queens Botanical Garden, in collaboration with La Jornada Food Pantry at Queens Museum • Ability Garden, in collaboration with New Hanover County Arboretum and Cooperative Extension, Wilmington Housing Authority • Holden Forests & Gardens, in collaboration with Revolutionary Love Garden, Have a Hive, and Lettuce Tree Farms • Grumblethorpe Historic House & Gardens (PhilaLandmarks), in collaboration with Chef Gail Hinson, Johnson House Historic Site, and Historic Fair Hill • Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, in collaboration with East Park Revitalization Alliance, Neighborhood Gardens Trust • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with Homewood-Brushton YMCA • Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, in collaboration with The Museum of Infinite Outcomes • University of Washington Botanic Gardens, in collaboration with wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, UW Nutritional Sciences Program, UW Neighborhood Design/Build Studio, and UW Program on the Environment • Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, in collaboration with Wyoming Hunger Initiative • Alaska Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Bowman Elementary School Georgeson Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Sustainability, and University of Alaska Fairbanks Vegetable Varieties Program • Desert Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Unlimited Potential, TigerMountain Foundation, Orchard Community Learning Center, and Roosevelt School District • Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, in collaboration with UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, and City of San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services • Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, in collaboration with Mundo Gardens • Denver Botanic Gardens, in collaboration with Sun Valley Kitchen and Community Center • Connecticut College, in collaboration with FRESH New London • The Delaware Center for Horticulture, in collaboration with Food Bank of Delaware and Kingswood Community Center • Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools • Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, in collaboration with Garfield Park Community Council and Chicago Park District • Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, in collaboration with YouthBuild Louisville and Urban Conservation Corps • Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum – University of Michigan, in collaboration with Cadillac Urban Gardens (Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision), Growing Hope, Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network D-Town Farm, and Keep Growing Detroit • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, in collaboration with Carver County Health and Human Services, Scott County Public Health, and River Valley Health Services • EarthDance Organic Farm School, in collaboration with Ferguson-Florissant School District, All Among Us Women’s Care Center, and Blessed Teresa Of Calcutta Food Pantry • City Green, in collaboration with Clifton Recreation Department • Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center, in collaboration with New York Botanical Garden, Morning Glory Community Garden, La Finca del Sur, and Castle Hill Resident Association • Queens Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Astoria Values • Cape Fear Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and Fayetteville Urban Ministry • Grumblethorpe Historic House and Gardens, in collaboration with Awbury Arboretum, Philly Forests, Weavers Way Co-op, and Chef Gail • Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, in collaboration with Neighborhood Gardens Trust and Furtick Farms • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with Operation Better Block • Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, in collaboration with BattleField Farm & Gardens • Utah State University Extension, in collaboration with Utah State University Botanical Center • Downtown Greens, in collaboration with Hazel Hill Healthcare Project Atlanta Botanical Garden, Georgia Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona Garfield Park Conservatory and Gardens, Illinois Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Minnesota Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Pennsylvania Queens Botanical Garden, New York University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Garden and Nichols Arboretum, Michigan ● Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with the City of Birmingham Park and Recreation Department ● Georgeson Botanical Garden, in collaboration with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Office of Sustainability; UAF AFES Vegetable Variety Trials; Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District; and Calypso Farm and Ecology Center ● Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, in collaboration with Seeds that Feed ● Healthy Day Partners in collaboration with San Diego Botanic Garden ● The Gardens on Spring Creek in collaboration with First People’s Community Center ● The Urban Farm in collaboration with Denver Public Youth Services ● Covenant House Greater Washington, in collaboration with OurFarm DC; Run Hope Work; and THEARC Farm–Building Bridges Across the River ● Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with Operation Eco Vets and Easterseals Southwest Florida ● Historic Westside Gardens, in collaboration with Green Team of English Avenue ● Smith-Gilbert Gardens, in collaboration with Our Giving Garden ● Idaho Botanical Garden, in collaboration with City of Good ● Growing Healthy Veterans, in collaboration with Cool Learning Experience and Roberti Community House ● Charles Koiner Center for Urban Farming, in collaboration with Montgomery County Public Schools, Division of Sustainability and Compliance ● Michigan State University Extension, in collaboration with Keep Growing Detroit and Peace Tree Parks ● Raleigh City Farm, in collaboration with Salvation Army of Wake County Red Shield Club of Raleigh ● Buffalo Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with Gerard Place ● Ithaca Children’s Garden, in collaboration with The Learning Farm and Children’s Reading Connection ● Randall’s Island Park Alliance, in collaboration with LSA Family Health Service ● Growing Gardens, in collaboration with Providence Hospital Garden of Giving and Community Teaching Kitchen ● Zenger Farm, in collaboration with David Douglas School District ● Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with Just Harvest ● Wyck Association, in collaboration with People’s Kitchen Philadelphia ● Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, in collaboration with Little Chefs, Big Change and Shora Foundation ● Botanical Research Institute of Texas, in collaboration with Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County ● Clark Gardens, in collaboration with Let’s Grow Crazy ● Allen Centennial Garden, in collaboration with Rooted WI and REAP Food Group Legacy Heritage, in collaboration with E.

A. T SOUTH and David’s Garden of Life Foundation Desert Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Blue Watermelon Project, V. H.

Lassen Academy of Science & Nutrition, and Spaces of Opportunity TigerMountain Foundation, in collaboration with MAC6 Filoli, in collaboration with Pasifika Planting Group and La Cocina Growing Hope Gardens, in collaboration with Community Corporation of Santa Monica, Holos Communities, Core Response, and The Malibu Foundation Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, in collaboration with Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation Delaware Center for Horticulture, in collaboration with Woodlawn Trustees Edgewood Community Farm, in collaboration with ReDelicious Urban GreenWorks, in collaboration with Carrfour Supportive Housing, ShareNest, Barry University CRAFT Scholars, Culinary Drip, and CombCutters Live Bee Removal Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, in collaboration with Motivating Minds, The Br Project Inc, and Common Threads Incorporated Columbus Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Feeding the Valley Food Bank Quad City Botanical Center, in collaboration with Tapestry Farms and Nest Cafe Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, in collaboration with Muncie Public Library – Connection Corner and Kennedy Library branches, Ross Community Center, Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center, Motivate Our Minds, and Whitely Community Food Pantry Community Food Forest Collective, in collaboration with Montgomery College EarthDance, in collaboration with The Wild Ones, Strength and Honor Mentoring and Tutoring, and Unleashing Potential Bountiful Cities, in collaboration with Hood Huggers Foundation and Asheville City Schools North Carolina Botanical Garden, in collaboration with UNC Counseling and Psychological Services Finca La Florecita at LaGuardia Community College, in collaboration with Queens Botanical Garden The Pine Hollow Arboretum, in collaboration with Free Food Fridge Albany Food Strong, in collaboration with Willson Elementary School Fair Amount Food Forest, in collaboration with Brothers of Strawberry Mansion, Strawberry Mansion High School Culinary Arts, and Chef Gail Hinson Lookout Mountain Conservancy, in collaboration with Food Forest Coalition of Chattanooga Killeen Creators, in collaboration with Killeen Volunteers, Communities In Schools, and the Bell County Master Gardeners Association UNT Community Garden, in collaboration with UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger and City of Denton Sustainability Department (Sustainable Denton) Urban Harvest, in collaboration with Houston Botanic Garden Close product quick view × We champion and advance public gardens as leaders, advocates, and innovators in the conservation and appreciation of plants.

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