2025 Urban Farms & Community Gardens Grant Program

The 2025 Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and seeks to bolster urban agriculture initiatives statewide. With a total allocation of $2.5 million, this program offers funding support to eligible entities for the establishment or expansion of community gardens, school gardens, and urban farms. The grant is designed to promote local food production, enhance food safety and distribution, and build long-term food resiliency across New York's urban and rural communities. The Department acknowledges the scarcity of capital for these types of projects, especially for grassroots and not-for-profit organizations, and intends for this funding to help sustain and grow urban agriculture infrastructure. Urban agriculture, as defined by the Department, encompasses food cultivation and animal husbandry within densely populated areas. Projects may also include activities like food processing and distribution, composting, water collection, education, and community employment. Grants will support the creation or expansion of growing spaces with an emphasis on sustainability and community impact. Acceptable costs include staff wages, training, planning services, gardening equipment, food distribution vehicles, infrastructure improvements, and other direct operating expenses. Notably, applicants must ensure project expenses are distinct and not overlapping with other grant sources, such as SNAP-Ed. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, municipal entities, educational institutions (K-12 and higher education), and tribal organizations. Community-led groups may apply in collaboration with a fiscal sponsor. For-profit entities and individuals are not eligible. Past recipients may reapply for 2025 funding, provided their prior projects have been completed and closed by the start of the new grant term on January 1, 2026. Applicants are limited to one submission per cycle and are required to make at least one subaward to a community organization as part of their proposal. Applications must be submitted digitally through the Statewide Financial System Grants Management platform (SFS GM) by September 5, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The application portal opened on July 23, 2025. All applicants must be registered and pre-qualified within the SFS. Public schools are exempt from pre-qualification. Additional requirements include registration with the New York State Charities Bureau and proof of workers’ compensation and disability insurance. Late applications will not be accepted, and all submissions must include a complete budget, a narrative, letters of support, and a project scope of work detailing objectives, tasks, and performance measures. An informational webinar will be held on July 29, 2025, at noon, and a Question & Answer period will run through August 20, 2025, with responses posted on August 22, 2025. Awards will be announced in December 2025, and projects must be completed within the January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 timeframe. Grants will be awarded in the order complete applications are received until funding is exhausted. In the event of ties, awards will be determined via lottery. Awards range from $25,000 to $50,000, with no match requirement. Funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis, though an upfront payment of up to 25% may be requested. Ten percent of each grant will be retained until the final report is submitted and approved. Applicants must provide a narrative outlining their organization’s mission, project justification, goals, implementation plans, staffing, community support, and sustainability strategy. Monitoring of outcomes and quarterly reporting is required throughout the grant term, culminating in a final report within 60 days of project completion. The program encourages participation from Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs). Questions should be directed to Program Manager Kendall Hough at UrbanAgriculture@agriculture.ny.gov or by fax at (518) 457-2716. The primary point of contact’s office is located at 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Submit early due to SFS system navigation; follow templates; include subaward and capacity-building details; confirm SFS and Charities Bureau prequalification.