California Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP)

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.

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

2023 Request for Applications