Urban Agriculture Program

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) administers the Urban Agriculture Program to support and enhance commercial urban farming initiatives throughout the Commonwealth. This program is rooted in state goals to promote food access and combat food insecurity by increasing the availability and distribution of fresh, locally grown produce in urban neighborhoods, particularly those with high populations of low-to-moderate income residents. The funding also aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices and infrastructure improvements within urban areas. The Urban Agriculture Program funds long-term, capital-intensive projects that are expected to significantly impact food production, marketing, and distribution in urban centers. Acceptable expenditures include infrastructure upgrades, building improvements, land acquisition, and the purchase of software, equipment, or technology related to urban farming. Projects may also focus on soil improvement, mobile markets, greenhouse installations, aquaculture systems, and urban-to-rural agriculture partnerships. However, the program does not support non-commercial endeavors, such as personal backyard farming for private consumption. Eligibility is limited to specific applicant categories. These include municipalities, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, public or nonprofit educational or public health institutions, and experienced urban farmers with at least three years of commercial farming activity in urban settings. All applicants must propose projects that promote sustainable food systems and community access to local produce. Applications must adhere to the detailed requirements outlined in the Request for Response (RFR), available through COMMBUYS. Applicants must submit one signed original, four copies, and one electronic version of the proposal. The complete application must not exceed six double-sided pages, excluding attachments. Proposals must be submitted via email to Rose.Arruda@mass.gov and by mail. Faxed submissions are not accepted. The deadline to submit applications for the 2026 cycle is 4:00 PM on Monday, May 19, 2025. The program does not operate on a rolling basis but is recurring annually. Award information from prior years is available for reference, indicating the ongoing support of similar urban agriculture initiatives in previous funding cycles. For additional guidance or questions, applicants may contact Rose Arruda by phone at 617-851-3644 or via email at Rose.Arruda@mass.gov. The application materials and full details are accessible through the COMMBUYS procurement system, where the RFR and instructions for applying are listed.