Grand Rapids
Urban Agriculture Outreach
We’re excited to announce a new initiative, the USDA Community-Based Organization Program Project, a Cooperative Agreement in partnership with the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) and others. As part of this project, we’re launching a microgrant program for eligible producers. The primary goal of this microgrant is to stimulate diverse and sustainable agricultural activity within the West Michigan region, promoting not just economic growth, but also environmental conservation and community well-being. We’re actively seeking to support producers who are implementing innovative and/or traditional, environmentally-friendly, regenerative farming techniques and who are passionate about nourishing our community. This is more than just a grant; it’s an investment in our shared future. Let’s foster a thriving agricultural community that is as diverse and sustainable as the land it cultivates!
amount $2,000 - $20,000
application timeline: December 1st - january 15th
What are Micro-Grants:
Micro-grants are $2,000-$20,000, one-time-only, awards given to eligible producers for capacity building projects. Micro-grants are grants that can be awarded by awarded cooperators of the FSA Urban and Innovative Agriculture Community-Based Organization Fund. These grants can be awarded by cooperators to urban agricultural producers (beneficiaries) for projects that support the goals of FSA Urban and Innovative Agriculture Community-Based Organization Fund and for areas of work (i.e., projects).
Click here to for the Grand Rapids Urban Agriculture Micro-grant RFP
For technical assistance, please reach out to ccalderon@wmeac.org
Micro-grant Uses:
Micro-grants can be utilized to leverage or implement conservation practices, improve soil quality, purchase on-farm infrastructure, or provide cost share for supplies and equipment if funding isn’t currently available and/or hasn’t already been awarded through other existing USDA programs for the designated micro-grant recipients.
Eligible projects include:
- Equipment purchases
- Conservation practices
- Soil amendments
- On-farm infrastructure
service area:
- Grand Rapids / East Grand Rapids
- Kentwood
- Muskegon
- Holland
- Urbanized area-serving farms