Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant

The Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program, administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, supports projects that expand and strengthen urban agricultural systems across the state. The program is designed to build out infrastructure that enables food production, addresses food insecurity, and fosters collaboration among growers, organizations, and communities. It aims to overcome food deserts, promote local entrepreneurship, and encourage cooperative approaches that help urban agricultural operations scale effectively. Through this initiative, the state provides reimbursement-based funding to applicants investing in essential agricultural infrastructure. Two primary funding tracks are offered: microgrants and collaboration grants. Microgrants support individual applicants implementing one-time projects with awards up to $2,500 and require a 15 percent match. Collaboration grants fund multi-entity projects that demonstrate cooperative or regional efforts, such as resource sharing or aggregation of products and producers, with a maximum award of $50,000 and the same 15 percent cost share requirement. In both categories, funds may only cover eligible costs directly associated with improving agricultural infrastructure within urban settings. Eligible uses of funds include equipment purchases for growing and harvesting, construction of greenhouses or hoop houses, utility connections and renewable energy systems, soil testing and remediation, cold storage facilities, and contracted labor for installations. Ineligible expenses include wages, rent, administrative costs, livestock, land purchases, and non-essential technology such as computers or phones. Projects must be located in urban areas as defined by Pennsylvania program guidance. Grantees must provide final reports with four to ten project photos and a summary of the grant’s impact. Applications are submitted exclusively through the state’s Single Application for Assistance portal. The current application window remains open through October 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants are responsible for ensuring submission completeness by this deadline. Reporting requirements apply upon project completion, including detailed documentation and impact metrics. The program does not specify a Letter of Intent or pre-application requirement. Programmatic questions are directed to Dr. Jamie Green at jamigreen@pa.gov, and technical submission inquiries should be sent to Corrine Elliott at corielliot@pa.gov. The Department encourages collaboration, innovation, and scalability in all proposals. Although this is an annual program with previously funded projects published each fiscal year, applicants should verify eligibility and funding cycles through the Department of Community and Economic Development website. Given its annual pattern, the next expected round is anticipated to open in fall 2026.