The California Department of Food and Agriculture is seeking public comments on a draft framework for $18.45 million in urban agriculture grants. Announced November 4, the comment period runs through 5 p.m. Pacific time December 18, 2026. It gives community food producers and organizations an opportunity to weigh in before CDFA finalizes the application.
The money comes from California’s 2024 Climate Bond. CDFA says it will set aside up to 10% of awards for tribal governments and tribal-based nonprofit organizations.
Two proposed routes for funding
The California Urban Agriculture Grant Program supports the creation or expansion of community farms and gardens in cities and suburbs, including projects led by community food producers. CDFA identifies sustainable infrastructure, food sovereignty and expanded urban market access as ways projects should build climate, economic and community resilience.
Under the proposed Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant, or Track 1, community-based organizations would serve as funding intermediaries. Organizations rooted in urban and regional food systems could build their staffing capacity while distributing subawards to urban agriculture projects at a regional or statewide scale.
The proposed Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant, or Track 2, would support projects that strengthen or expand city and suburban farms or gardens. CDFA says these projects should deliver meaningful, direct benefits to Native American tribes, disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations.
How to comment before the application release
The draft request for applications is available through CDFA’s Urban Agriculture Grant Program webpage. Stakeholders can use the online comment form linked there or email written comments of no more than 4,000 characters to CAUrbanAg@cdfa.ca.gov.
For emailed comments, CDFA requests the subject line “Stakeholder Comment for Draft UA RFA – Track #.” The December 18 deadline is for feedback on the draft, not for grant applications.
CDFA says it will incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final request for applications and expects to release the final grant application in 2027. The two funding tracks remain proposals during this comment period.
