"People's Garden Initiative" boosted with $1 million federal grant

Source: USDA Farm Service Agency

WASHINGTON, DC - Approximately $1 million in funding is available from the People’s Garden Initiative through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, in partnership with The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) 2025 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program.

The program will fund projects that support community-based gardens promoting sustainable agriculture practices that benefit people and wildlife. Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2025.

Image credit: Mark Stebnicki / Pexels

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include unincorporated individuals, businesses, international organizations, state agencies and U.S. Federal government agencies.

Applicant gardens do not need to be registered as People’s Gardens prior to applying, however, they will be asked to sign up once funding is awarded. Gardens of different sizes and types, including school gardens, community gardens, urban farms, and small-scale agriculture projects in rural and urban areas, can be recognized as a People’s Garden.

Project must meet the People’s Garden criteria:

Join the People’s Garden community by registering a garden at usda.gov/peoples-garden

Grow the garden using sustainable practices that benefit people and wildlife

Teach about gardening and resilient, local food systems

Priority will be given to projects that

Educate and train local citizens, build diverse partnerships, foster local food systems and provide other socio-economic benefits

Provide measurable ecological, educational and community benefits

Support the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat, especially at-risk species including migratory birds and pollinators

This funding is available nationally, but special preference will be given to projects in priority cities including Little Rock.

For more information and instructions on how to apply, please see the Request for Proposals. For more information about the People’s Garden Initiative please visit The People’s Garden website.