The “Advancing Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems in Virginia” Project is excited to announce the following initiatives as the 2024-2025 mini-grant recipients. The goal of mini grant funding is to build the capacity of existing urban agriculture work in Virginia. This funding opportunity aligns with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to define urban agriculture broadly to include farming and growing activity in an urban area. These seven projects will fulfil a local need that aligns with the aims of the “Advancing Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems in Virginia” Initiative. 

New Roots Farm Global Urban Agriculture Project, led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC).  Charlottesville VA. The IRC in Charlottesville will invest in infrastructure improvements at New Roots Farm to enhance operational efficiency, improve farmer quality of life, and benefit household food security. ($15,000).

Healthy Pantry, led by SERVE INC., (Stafford Emergency Relief through Volunteer Efforts).  Stafford, VA.  This project aims to provide nutritious, USDA Foods to low-income individuals and families through state and local agencies, including food banks and pantries, to supplement their diets at no cost with urban growing. ($15,000).

Enhancing the Sustainability of Urban Agriculture in NW Roanoke, led by One Valley, Inc. Roanoke, VA. This project aims to improve community engagement and marketing with the surrounding low-wealth urban population to increase produce from two community gardens, and by developing an improved management plan for an existing orchard area in one of the gardens. ($14,900).

Chimborazo Playground Community Garden Urban Greenhouse, led by Verdant Virginia- Chimborazo Playground Community Garden. Richmond, VA. This project is to create a water-harvesting, solar-powered greenhouse and shed. This project creates positives in the following areas: stormwater management, costs of treated city water, expanded season gardening, needed storage space, and renewable energy grass management. ($5000).

Water Access and Conservation Efforts at the Mosby Justice Garden, led by the Richmond Food Justice Alliance.  Richmond, VA. Richmond Food Justice Alliance will address water access needs at the Mosby Justice Garden. The project ensures that clean water is available for growing and hygienic purposes, while increasing community resilience by teaching water conservation and climate resilience strategies to garden attendees. ($13,610).

Building Capacity for Community Urban Gardening at Farmer Street Park in Petersburg, Led by Building ANU Foundation Inc. Petersburg, VA. This project will be creating and providing a much-needed educational urban garden for the Petersburg community based on long-lasting urban growing relationships and plans of work. ($10,961).

Proposal to Revitalize 31st Baptist Church Urban Farm, led by NANIH Farm and Garden, Inc. Petersburg, VA. This project is an effort to re-engage church members and the community around supporting the historic 31st Baptist Church Urban Farm. The project envisions activities including starting a farm store, engaging volunteers, and providing a number of free information workshops as strategies of engagement. ($15,000).

The “Advancing Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems in Virginia” project is co-led by Virginia Tech and Virginia State University with funding provided by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Urban and Innovative Agriculture Community-Based Organization Fund.  April 2025