This program is geared towards farmers that operate a for-profit business.  See below for examples of fundable expenses under this program.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The farm must be located within IERCD’s District Boundary
• The farm size must be a minimum of 1 acre. If the farm plot is under 1 acre, multiple farmers/incubators on the same property may apply together to meet the acreage minimum.
• The farmer must sell produce for a profit with a minimum of $1,000 in produce sales annually
• The farmer must either own the land or have an active lease for 1 year or more
• Nonprofit farms are not eligible for this program track, but will be eligible for the Community Programs Track.

Eligible Project Types:

Through this funding pool, eligible producers may request between $5,000 - $30,000 in funding for equipment and/or infrastructure purchases. Examples of infrastructure and equipment are included below, but this list is not comprehensive and other types of projects may be proposed.

Infrastructure: 

• Site development, plans and drawings, permits, legal fees, consultant fees
• Season extension such as hoop houses, high tunnels, shade houses, green houses
• Irrigation systems including water connection, installation, improvements, meters, hardware
• Tool storage sheds or containers
• Wash and pack areas including shade structures, drainage pits or other needs
• Community gathering spaces including picnic tables, DG pathways, seating for workshops or other engagement activities, shade structures, outdoor kitchens, demonstration sites
• Aggregation and distribution preparation areas
• Land improvements including soil testing, amendments, remediations, weed management
• Innovations in production equipment such as hydroponic or aquaponic systems

Equipment:

• Tools - including hand tools, mechanized tools, harvesting tools, weed management tools, etc.
• Post-harvest wash stations, bins, boxes, labels, packaging etc.
• Delivery vehicles
• Farm Stand, Community Supported Agriculture, or other marketing supplies
• Refrigeration units
• Solar Panels
• Technology and software for sales, marketing, and communications
• Technology, and software for field management

This program track is geared toward non-profit or community-based urban farms/gardens.  Examples of fundable expenses below.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The proposed project must be located within IERCD’s District Boundary or support projects that are located within IERCD’s District.
• Eligible applicant types:
  • 501(c)(3) non-profits
  • For-profit organizations and businesses
  • Tribal governments and tribal-based nonprofits operating an urban agriculture project
• Ineligible applicant types:
  • Federal, State, and Local Governments
    • An eligible applicant from the list above with a project located on government land would still be eligible (example: 501(c)(3) non-profit operating on city land)
  • School gardens are not eligible for this program and should instead apply to The California Farm to School Program. This includes public and private schools as well as universities.

• Project must accomplish one or more of the following program goals:
  • Be led by and or serve an urban underserved community as determined by CalEnviroScreen
  • Demonstrate community engagement practices.
  • Support the viability of urban food cultivation, processing, or distribution.
  • Pilot an innovation in production such as but not limited to mushroom propagation, aquaponics, aeroponics, hydroponics, rooftop gardens or warehouse farms.
  • Provide employment development opportunities, especially youth employment and development opportunities.
  • Provide educational opportunities as it relates to growing or consuming locally grown seasonal produce.
  • Provide urban greening, habitat restoration and environmentally beneficial services such as but not limited to planting hedgerows, native plant gardens or food forests.

Eligible Project Types

Through this funding pool, eligible applicants may request between $5,000 - $60,000 in funding for projects. Examples of eligible project types are included below, but this list is not comprehensive and other types of projects may be proposed.

Infrastructure: 

• Site development, plans and drawings, permits, legal fees, consultant fees 
• Season extension such as hoop houses, high tunnels, shade houses, green houses 
• Irrigation systems including water connection, installation, improvements, meters, hardware 
• Tool storage sheds or containers 
• Wash and pack areas including shade structures, drainage pits or other needs 
• Community gathering spaces including picnic tables, DG pathways, seating for workshops or other engagement activities, shade structures, outdoor kitchens, demonstration sites 
• Aggregation and distribution preparation areas 
• Land improvements including soil testing, amendments, remediations, weed management 
• Innovations in production equipment such as hydroponic or aquaponic systems 

Equipment:

• Tools - including hand tools, mechanized tools, harvesting tools, weed management tools, etc.
• Post-harvest wash stations, bins, boxes, labels, packaging etc.
• Delivery vehicles 
• Farm Stand, Community Supported Agriculture, or other marketing supplies 
• Refrigeration units 
• Solar Panels
• Technology and software for sales, marketing, and communications 
• Technology, and software for field management 

Technical Assistance and Operations:

• Peer to Peer TA providers to mentor, train, and support urban farmers and community-based organizations
• Recognized experienced TA providers to mentor, train, and support urban farmers and community-based organizations
• Business Planning
• Forming Cooperatives
• Marketing and Communications
• Insurance costs
• Food safety certifications
• Climate smart agriculture certifications, like transition to organic
• Evaluation, data collection, quantitative and qualitative reports on impact of project.
• Design, Planning and Implementation consultants and contractors for:

                    o Weed Management

                    o Irrigation

                    o Soils

                    o Site Development

                    o Navigation of Permits and Legal processes

                    o Website development

Workforce Development:

• Staff capacity to operate programming
• Internship stipends or hourly pay
• Professional development opportunities
• Ensuring youth from all backgrounds have access to paid positions developing urban food systems

Community Engagement and Education:

• Community workshop development and materials
• Staff capacity to operate Community Engagement activities
• Translation services for community engagement at an urban farm
• Open house tours and fieldtrips for residents, students, elderly or other underserved community members.
• Festivals or celebrations highlighting urban agriculture
• Agritourism

Online Application: https://forms.gle/fSKNpWRxJaiUYLnr8

• Applications can be submitted October 7-December 6th, 2024
• Applications will be reviewed in December 2024
• Applications will be processed and awardees will be notified in January 2025

Online Application: https://forms.gle/46YpQBhhhqzietL59

Download the following tables before starting your application! You will fill out and attach them to your application.  Google Docs Link available as well here: Community Partner Application - Tables & Examples

• Applications can be submitted October 18th-December 13th, 2024
• Applications will be reviewed in December 2024
• Applications will be processed and awardees will be notified in January 2025

No, recipients may not use grant funds to lease-to-own a piece of equipment.

If a Recipient is using grant funds to cover the partial cost of a piece of equipment, then they may not finance or take out a loan for the remaining cost of that equipment. However, it is allowable for a Recipient to cover the remaining cost of the equipment out of pocket.

No, the equipment or infrastructure must be purchased after the project is approved and agreement signed. This funding opportunity may not be used to reimburse previous expenses.

Urban Agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban settings, including things like in-ground 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.