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USDA awards $7.4 million in urban agriculture grants

Projects supporting urban agriculture and innovative production are being funded through $7.4 million worth of grants from the USDA.

The funding will help grant recipients like community gardens and non-profit farms increase food production and access in economically distressed communities, provide job training, and develop business plans and zoning proposals.

With more than 300 applicants, twice as many as last year, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie says the growing popularity of the grant program shows the importance of the agency’s broad support for urban agriculture, local and regional food systems and underserved communities.

This round of grants will fund 25 planning and implementation projects in 16 states.