The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has released the draft request for applications (RFA) for the California Urban Agriculture Grant Program for public comment through 5 p.m. PT December 18, 2026.
The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Climate Bond) provides $18.45 million for this program, of which CDFA will set aside up to 10% of awards for tribal governments and tribal-based non-profit organizations.
The Urban Agriculture Grant Program (UAGP) funds projects that create or expand city or suburban community farms or gardens, including those led by community food producers. Projects should advance climate, economic and community resilience through sustainable infrastructure, food sovereignty and expanded market access in urban areas across California.
The program will offer funding via two tracks:
- The Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant (Track 1) will fund community-based organizations (CBOs) with grassroots involvement in urban and regional food systems to increase staff capacity and provide subawards to regional or statewide urban agriculture projects.
- The Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant (Track 2) will fund urban agriculture projects that strengthen or expand city or suburban community farms or gardens, including those led by community food producers, and provide meaningful and direct benefits to Native American tribes, disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations.
The draft RFA may be viewed on the UAGP webpage. Stakeholders may submit public comments by completing this online form or emailing a comment letter / written comments no longer than 4,000 characters to CAUrbanAg@cdfa.ca.gov. Please include “Stakeholder Comment for Draft UA RFA – Track #” in the email subject line.
Public comments also may be made during four live information sessions via Zoom. Each info session will include an overview of the RFA and time for questions and comments. Please visit the UAGP webpage to register for the information sessions:
- 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 4
- 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, November 19
- 1-2:30 p.m. Monday, November 30
- 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 16
CDFA will incorporate stakeholder feedback from the public comment period into the final RFA and expects to release the final grant application in 2027.
Click here to view this original CDFA news release.