New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball has announced that $2.5 million is now available through the third round of the state’s Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program. The initiative aims to strengthen community growing spaces and improve food resiliency and security across New York.
The funding, included in the state’s fiscal year 2025 and 2026 budgets, will support projects focused on developing or enhancing urban farms, school gardens, and community gardens statewide. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, municipal government entities, and Indian tribal organizations.
Commissioner Ball stated, “One of our priorities at the Department is making sure that more New Yorkers have fresh, nutritious foods available in their communities, and our Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program is one piece in that puzzle. Over the first two rounds, we’ve seen some incredible projects come to fruition, and I’m excited to see that progress continue in the third round, with even more funding dedicated to this great program. I encourage all eligible community organizations to consider applying.”
Grant funds can be used for a variety of project costs such as worker wages, contractual expenses, equipment purchases, and other operating needs related to food production, safety, and distribution. According to officials from the Department of Agriculture and Markets, these grants are part of a broader effort by Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration to make food more affordable and accessible throughout New York.
Applications for the grant program are being accepted online at agriculture.ny.gov/rfa-0344-urban-farms-and-community-gardens-grant-program. To assist potential applicants with details about eligibility requirements and how to apply, a virtual webinar will be held on July 29 at noon; registration is required.
The grant program works alongside other state efforts supporting urban agriculture. In its previous round last year, $1 million was awarded to 22 different projects across New York State. Additional initiatives led by Governor Hochul include programs like the Community Gardens Task Force as well as soil testing services for gardens.
There are currently over 3,000 registered or permitted urban and community gardens throughout New York State. The Department helps gardening groups connect with agencies so they can use available land for growing purposes.
The Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program is part of a wider set of policies designed to build a resilient local food system in New York. Other notable state initiatives include Nourish NY—aimed at connecting those in need with locally grown products—the 30 Percent NYS Initiative which encourages schools to source meals from local producers—and the Farm-to-School program.
This year’s budget also introduced additional funding through the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program: $50 million over five years will help regional cooking facilities use fresh farm products from within New York when preparing meals for K-12 students.
Governor Hochul has also issued Executive Order 32 requiring state agencies to source at least 30 percent of their total food purchases from New York farmers within five years. Another $25 million has been allocated toward supporting innovation among producers using ingredients grown or raised in-state via the NYS Grown & Certified Infrastructure Grant Program.
Further efforts by New York State continue through programs like FreshConnect—which expands access points for fresh produce—and various Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs aimed at increasing access for residents across different communities.
