USDA Selects ACCD as Part of $9 Million Investment to Support Urban Agriculture
October 10, 2024
Press Release
PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) selected Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD) and partners to provide outreach, education and technical assistance to urban agricultural producers.
This $9 million USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) grant, administered through To Improve Mississippi Economics (T.I.M.E.), funds urban farm outreach initiatives in 10 U.S. cities. This grant is part of a broader $40 million investment enabled by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
The funding will support a collaboration among technical service providers to assist urban farmers in learning about and accessing resources. Partners include PASA Sustainable Agriculture, Chatham University, Grow Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council and Hilltop Urban Farm.
ACCD and partners were awarded $894,000, with 38 percent of funding going directly to urban farmers in the form of microgrants to develop critical farm infrastructure. Another percentage supports programs of the partner organizations.
This grant application made possible through support from Southwestern Pennsylvania Municipal Project Hub.
Other Investments in Urban Agriculture
ACCD also received significant state and federal funding from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), administered through the United States Department of Agriculture.
This funding enables ACCD to strengthen partnerships with local farmers and community groups to address urban soil contaminants and support farm and garden projects.
About ACCD: Allegheny County Conservation District, part of a national regulatory network, engages and leads through partnerships, innovation and implementation to protect, restore and preserve Allegheny County’s natural resources.
PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) selected Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD) and partners to provide outreach, education and technical assistance to urban agricultural producers.
This $9 million USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) grant, administered through To Improve Mississippi Economics (T.I.M.E.), funds urban farm outreach initiatives in 10 U.S. cities. This grant is part of a broader $40 million investment enabled by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
The funding will support a collaboration among technical service providers to assist urban farmers in learning about and accessing resources. Partners include PASA Sustainable Agriculture, Chatham University, Grow Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council and Hilltop Urban Farm.
ACCD and partners were awarded $894,000, with 38 percent of funding going directly to urban farmers in the form of microgrants to develop critical farm infrastructure. Another percentage supports programs of the partner organizations.
More from USDA“We are thrilled to receive this historic funding for urban agriculture in our region. This grant provides direct capital to farmers, allowing them to address specific on-farm challenges,” said Heather Manzo, ACCD Executive Director. “On a larger scale, fortifying urban agriculture ultimately strengthens community health and climate resilience for our region."
This grant application made possible through support from Southwestern Pennsylvania Municipal Project Hub.
Other Investments in Urban Agriculture
ACCD also received significant state and federal funding from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), administered through the United States Department of Agriculture.
This funding enables ACCD to strengthen partnerships with local farmers and community groups to address urban soil contaminants and support farm and garden projects.
About ACCD: Allegheny County Conservation District, part of a national regulatory network, engages and leads through partnerships, innovation and implementation to protect, restore and preserve Allegheny County’s natural resources.
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