Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for community gardens.


Email us at lending@communityvisionca.org to get started. We’ll schedule a brief call to learn about your project and determine if it’s a potential fit. From there, we’ll either request more information or let you know if we’re not the right resource at this time.

As a leading mission-driven lender, Community Vision provides creative capital solutions of all sizes to support community-based organizations and small businesses with the resources they need to strengthen, stabilize, and thrive.

Community Vision fills the gap for communities with low financial wealth who have been systemically limited in their access to the vital resources they need to obtain financial freedom. As partners, Community Vision works alongside its clients to foster revitalized, equitable, and vibrant communities.



As a leading mission-driven lender, Community Vision provides creative capital solutions of all sizes to support community-based organizations and small businesses with the resources they need to strengthen, stabilize, and thrive.
Community Vision fills the gap for communities with low financial wealth who have been systemically limited in their access to the vital resources they need to obtain financial freedom. As partners, Community Vision works alongside its clients to foster revitalized, equitable, and vibrant communities.

All applicants must
- Be located within Northern or Central California.
- Demonstrate evidence of ability to meet the terms of the proposed loan.
- Demonstrate deep community roots and focus on amplifying visions for their own communities.

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

Farmers Market

Local Food

Historically Underserved

Food Systems

Term: 
- Up to 10 years
Lines of Credit:
- 12 months (renewable)
Loan-to-Value: 
- Up to 90%
Interest Rate:
- Real Estate: 5.75%-6.25%
- Working Capital: 6.25%-6.75%
- Possibly lower for very high impact projects.
Loan Fees: 
- 1.5%-2% including application, commitment, and closing.
Collateral: 
- Real estate preferred but will consider other types of collateral. Subordination to conventional lenders considered.

The CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program will award up to $11,670,000 for proposals through this solicitation to fund programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of CA.

Grant Applications Links: Please click the Track you are interested in applying to access the AmpliFund grant application:

- Track 1 Systems Builder Community Based Block Grant

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a competitive grant that funds programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of California.

The purpose of the Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant is to increase staff capacity and provide pass through funding for Community-Based Organizations (CBO’s) with grassroots involvement in urban and regional food systems planning. Eligible CBO’s may apply for awards from $200,000 - $800,000 in CDFA funding to engage and administer subawards to urban agriculture stakeholders in their region. Track 1 funded Organizations may utilize between $5,000-$60,000 of the award towards eligible urban agriculture work being done internally. Subawards to external stakeholders will range from $5,000 to $60,000. At least one CBO within each urban region of California will receive an award, and at least one CBO with statewide reach will receive funding. CDFA aims to distribute awards geographically throughout California’s urban areas to the extent possible.

- Track 2 Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a competitive grant that funds programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of California.

The purpose of the Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant is to directly fund urban agriculture projects, providing awards from $75,000 - $300,000 for eligible for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, Tribal Based non-profits, and Tribal Governments that are led by or serve priority populations identified using the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map and located in urban areas as defined by CDFA.

- NOTE: Applicants may only apply to ONE Track



Sara Bernal

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a one-time&#x2004;only, competitive grant that will fund programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of CA.


Urban Agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban settings, including things like inground small plot cultivation, raised beds, vertical production, warehouse farms, mushroom growing, urban forestry and tree care, community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and other innovations. Urban farmers and gardeners work among diverse populations to expand access to nutritious foods, foster community engagement, offer workforce development opportunities, educate communities about food and farming, and expand green spaces.


CDFA defines “urban” as a geographic area no more than 25 miles adjacent to or outside of one Urbanized Area containing a population of 50,000 or more people.


Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by or serving priority populations. Priority Populations will be identified using the California Air Resources Board’s [California Climate Investments Priority Populations map](https://gis.carb.arb.ca.gov/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=6b4b15f8c6514733972cabdda3108348).


CDFA will award up to $11,670,000 for proposals through this solicitation.



The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) is a one-time only, competitive grant that will fund programs and projects that enhance the viability of urban agriculture in urban areas across the state of CA.

Urban Agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban settings, including things like inground small plot cultivation, raised beds, vertical production, warehouse farms, mushroom growing, urban forestry and tree care, community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and other innovations. Urban farmers and gardeners work among diverse populations to expand access to nutritious foods, foster community engagement, offer workforce development opportunities, educate communities about food and farming, and expand green spaces.

CDFA defines “urban” as a geographic area no more than 25 miles adjacent to or outside of one Urbanized Area containing a population of 50,000 or more people.

Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by or serving priority populations. Priority Populations will be identified using the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map.

CDFA will award up to $11,670,000 for proposals through this solicitation.

Track 1 Systems Builder Community Based Block Grant
Eligible Applicants
- Special District Governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (not Federally recognized), Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excludes institutions of higher education), Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excludes institutions of higher education), Private institutions of higher education

Additional Eligibility Information
- All applicants for Track 1 must serve communities located in urban areas as defined. Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by, or serving priority populations as defined by the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map.
- Track 1: Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant Eligibility:
    - Non-profit organizations, Tribal Governments and Tribal Based non-profit organizations with knowledge and experience in Regional Food Systems are eligible to apply.
    - Individuals, for-profit organizations, local, state, and federal government entities, and public or private colleges and universities are not eligible to apply.

Track 2 Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant
Eligible Applicants:
- Special District Governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (not Federally recognized), Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excludes institutions of higher education), Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excludes institutions of higher education), Small Businesses

Additional Eligibility Information
- Only RCD's qualify under Special District Governments. All applicants for Track 2 must serve communities located in urban areas as defined. Priority will be given to urban agriculture projects led by, or serving priority populations as defined by the California Air Resources Board’s California Climate Investments Priority Populations map.
- Non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, Native American Tribes, and Tribal Based non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must also be a Qualified Small Business and thus meet the following criteria: Is one of the following:
    - i. A sole proprietor, independent contractor, 1099 employee, C-corporation, S-corporation, cooperative, limited liability company, partnership, or limited partnership, with an annual gross revenue of less than five million dollars ($5,000,000), but greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000), in the 2022 taxable year.
    - ii. A registered nonprofit entity that had an annual gross revenue of less than five million dollars ($5,000,000), but greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000), in the 2022 taxable year.
    - iii. An organization that is fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit corporation.
    - Local, state, and federal government entities, and public or private colleges and universities are not eligible to apply.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Stewardship

Socially Disadvantaged

Labor

- Applicants must provide detailed project description, budget, and timeline for completion by December.

- We prioritize projects that promote sustainable practices and community impact. Review our [Farming Manifesto](https://fruitguyscommunityfund.org/mission/farming-manifesto/) and past [Alumni Projects](https://fruitguyscommunityfund.org/alumni-grantees/) for examples of winning proposals.

**Project Preferences **

**Preferential States: ** We aim to&#x2004;support farms in states where we haven’t yet funded a project. If you’re a small farm or agricultural nonprofit in one of the following states, we encourage you to apply:

- Alabama

- Arkansas

- Delaware

- Minnesota

- Nebraska

- Nevada

- North Dakota

- Utah

\*Note: If you’re based in a state not listed above, you are still eligible to apply. We give minor preference to farms in states where we haven’t funded projects yet, with slight priority given to up to three new states per cycle. However, we encourage applications from all states.




- Applicants must provide detailed project description, budget, and timeline for completion by December.
- We prioritize projects that promote sustainable practices and community impact. Review our Farming Manifesto and past Alumni Projects for examples of winning proposals.
Project Preferences 
Preferential States: We aim to support farms in states where we haven’t yet funded a project. If you’re a small farm or agricultural nonprofit in one of the following states, we encourage you to apply:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Dakota
- Utah
*Note: If you’re based in a state not listed above, you are still eligible to apply. We give minor preference to farms in states where we haven’t funded projects yet, with slight priority given to up to three new states per cycle. However, we encourage applications from all states.


Eligible for Funding: 
- Grants up to $5,000
- Small U.S. farms 250 acres or less
- Applicant must be farm owner/operator or have long-term, legal land access (leased land requires landowner support letter with lease length)
- 501(c)(3) agricultural nonprofits in operation for minimum 3 years may apply; must submit 501(c)(3) documentation and board list
- For profit farms must be active for at least 2 years
- Applicants may re-apply for the same project or a different one if they have not been funded in earlier grant cycles
- Only one application per farm per cycle is allowed

Ineligible For Funding
- Non-U.S. farms
- Farms or farmers that have previously received a FGCF grant
- Project budgets & items including; hydro/aquaponic systems, land purchases, labor, consultants, administrative costs, general marketing, one-time experiences, or any projects relying on outside grant funding for completion

Irrigation

Water Quality

Waterway Protection

Wetland Conservation

Reduced Tillage

Water Management

Conservation

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Awards & Reporting Schedule
- May: Grant awards
- August: Interim report due
- December: Project completion
- January 2027: Final report due


- Application Page
- Request for Applications - RFA 0344 - Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program


NY State State Agriculture Commission Office

The third round of the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program offers **$2.5 million** in funding to support the development and enhancement of urban farms, school gardens, and community gardens statewide.


Funding through the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program will help offset costs associated with projects that focus on food production, food safety, and food distribution, while creating a lasting impact on local food resiliency.



The third round of the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program offers $2.5 million in funding to support the development and enhancement of urban farms, school gardens, and community gardens statewide.

Funding through the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program will help offset costs associated with projects that focus on food production, food safety, and food distribution, while creating a lasting impact on local food resiliency.

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, not-for-profit educational institutions, municipal government entities, and Indian tribal organizations.  

Vegetables

Watercress

Winter Cress

Yuca

Alfalfa Sprouts

Aloe Vera

Artichokes

Arugula

Asparagus

Bamboo Shoots

Batatas

Bean Sprouts

Beans

Beets

Bok Choy

Broccoflower

Broccoli

Broccolini

Broccolo-Cavalo

Brussel Sprouts

Cabbage

Calaloo

Carrots

Cauliflower

Celeriac

Celery

Chives

Collard Greens

Coriander

Cucumbers

Daikon

Dandelion Greens

Dill

Eggplant

Endive

Escarole

Frisee

Gailon

Garlic

Gourds

Greens

Heart Of Palm

Horseradish

Kale

Kohlrabi

Leeks

Lettuce

Malanga

Melongene

Mesculin Mix

Microgreens

Mushrooms

Okra

Onions

Oyster Plant

Parsnip

Peppers

Potatoes

Pumpkins

Radicchio

Radishes

Rhubarb

Rutabaga

Scallions

Shallots

Spinach

Squash

Sunchoke

Sweet

Swiss Chard

Tannier

Taro

Tomatillos

Tomatoes

Truffles

Turnips

Vegetable Seeds

Cilantro

Boston Lettuce

Green Leaf Lettuce

Iceberg Lettuce

Lolla Rossa Lettuce

Oak Leaf Lettuce

Red Leaf Lettuce

Romaine Lettuce

Dry Onions

Green Onions

Bell Peppers

Potato Seeds

Processing Potatoes

Russet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Zucchini

Turnip Top

Specialty Crops

Trade Relief

Public Health

Compliance

Marketing

Acceptable use of funds:
- Personnel costs (wages, internships)
- Materials, equipment, planning and consulting
- Infrastructure improvements related to food production, safety, and distribution

List of Agricultural Funding for Community Gardens