Urban farms and their farmers are key players in strengthening Alameda County’s community health, protecting access to green spaces, and building climate resilience. ACRCD and NRCS staff have been working to expand their long-standing partnership and continue to provide technical and financial support for our urban growers.

With increased Farm Bill and grant funding expected for fiscal year 2025, we’re excited to continue to work with our urban growers and find creative solutions to fit their needs. NRCS has more conservation practice scenarios tailored for urban settings than ever: from soil testing to cover crops, raised beds to high tunnels, tree and shrub planting to mulching, we want to work with urban farmers to put conservation on the ground. In addition to the work that NRCS is doing, ACRCD has several urban farming opportunities including our urban ag mini grant and compost for ag program, soil testing, and more on the way.

Subscribe to ACRCD’s urban farming newsletter here for updates on grant funding and program eligibility, and reach out to Colleen Hotchkiss if you would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation ([email protected]).