Massachusetts Urban Agriculture Program

The purpose of the MDAR Urban Agriculture Program is to advance Commonwealth goals and objectives, leverage collective resources, and support commercial projects designed to increase the production, processing, and marketing of produce grown and sold in urban centers across the Commonwealth. Expenditures will promote strategies to address food insecurity and to increase access of fresh, local produce in urban neighborhoods with a high concentration of low-moderate income residents.

Who May Apply?

• Municipalities

• Nonprofit Organizations 501(c)(3)

• Public or non-profit educational or public health institutions

• Established urban farmer with more than three (3) years of commercial urban farming experience

MDAR does not publish the award range, match rule, or payment mechanics on the program page. It defers entirely to the solicitation: "See 'File Attachments:' at COMMBUYS link to download the Request for Response (RFR). This document outlines and explains all details, requirements, and instructions for the Urban Agriculture Program." The COMMBUYS listing (FY26 MDAR GRANT- MUAP, bid BD-25-1002-1003-001-114251) names the RFR but serves its attachments through a script-driven download, so no dollar figure could be verified here — do not assume one.

What is published is what the money must buy: "Each project proposal must represent long-term, capital investments such as infrastructure improvements, building upgrades, purchase of computer software and systems, land procurement, and purchase of farm equipment." Operating costs are effectively out, and "This program does not fund backyard produce or livestock raised for personal consumption" — it funds commercial urban farming only.

Eligible project categories include soil management in blighted areas, land acquisition for urban food production, mobile market vehicles and small farm equipment, distribution and food-hub infrastructure, greenhouses and hoop houses, aquaponics and vertical farming, urban-rural market linkages, and "Capital infrastructure to support an urban farm's transition to a certified organic organization."

MDAR posts past award lists for 2019 through 2022; those are the best available guide to typical award size until you have the RFR in hand. Download the RFR from COMMBUYS before budgeting, and note the proposal is capped at six double-sided pages with one signed original plus four copies and an electronic copy required.

Read the Request for Responses on the COMMBUYS portal.

Submit your completed application by email to Rose.Arruda@mass.gov

Or mail you application materials to:

Rose Arruda

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

251 Causeway Street, Suite 500

Boston, MA 02114

If you apply by mail, make sure that you have a complete application as described in the RFR. Submissions must not exceed six (6) double-sided pages (exclusive of attachments). The bidder shall submit one (1) signed original and four (4) copies of the proposal, as well as an electric copy.

• FY2024 Application Portal and Info