Intro to the Urban Ag Initiative:
2024 marked the pilot year of the Urban Agriculture Micro-Grant Program through Renewing the Countryside, created in partnership with the USDA’s Farm Service Agency’s National Urban Agriculture Initiative (NUAg). 23 individual farmers across the seven county Twin Cities metro area were chosen and awarded with micro grants to support their goals within their individual farming projects. These urban farmers are doing impactful work with the ongoing support of their families, neighbors, and community. Listening to their stories has revealed just how much food and farming can bring people together, creating connection and resilience within the cit even amidst political uncertainty.
The purpose of the micro grant program was to help make urban farmers aware of and connected with essential resources to ensure longevity of their work and support ongoing generations of urban agriculture. Each applicant applied for specific support related to their projects, such as access to more tools, seeds, infrastructure, or technical assistance to help strengthen and sustain their farming efforts. The micro grant program was designed to do more than simply supply farmers with the resources they requested. More so, it aimed to cultivate strong, resilient communities rooted in mutual support and equitable local food access!
As the 2025 growing season approached, recipients carried their projects forward, sharing creativity, care, and resilience in their land and community relationships. To honor their work, the Urban Ag team invited each farmer to share their story, reflecting on challenges negotiated, progress made, and the ways their projects continued to grow with the ongoing support of their communities. To further develop the program, it was essential to understand how these farmers had been supported so far, and what challenges they may still be facing. These rich conversations were rooted in reciprocal support and gratitude.
Stayci Bell, who grows food to provide for people in need around Robbinsdale, expressed how meaningful it was for such projects to be considered worthy of grant funding. She shared that she’s been trying to embrace her identity as both a farmer and an artist, and wants to prove that anyone can grow food. Betsy Howard was able to engage youth in her growing process and was grateful that there was a grant available to support “the average planting for a family and busy mom.”
This program was about more than just meeting material needs, it was about affirming the value of these farmers’ work and letting them know they’re not alone.
It demonstrated that there are people committed to standing alongside them through future challenges, but also in building long-term success for their projects.
Farmers like Sue Vue, who farms with her entire family, reflected on the significance of farming with her children and grandchildren to create a space where the future generations can grow up connected to the land and supported by a strong community.
Impact on the community
Each micro grant recipient has dedicated their time and hard work to a project that benefits their community. They understand the vital role healthy food plays in community well-being and have focused their efforts on increasing access. With this funding, it only makes sense that they’re eager to expand their reach and deepen community involvement. From rain barrels and irrigation systems, produce bags to safely provide food to people in need, and greenhouses and high tunnels, these individual farmers are working tirelessly to enhance urban agriculture efforts in their communities.
Many of the farmers want to see more people entering the farming and growing space. One urban farmer said, “I walk to work and there’s a plot that’s perfect, it’s not being used.” These are people deeply engaged in growing food, committed to ensuring their communities benefit from the health and connection that strong urban agriculture fosters. They stated, “This is really just the beginning of a much larger wave we could have,” having increased access to land will grow these kinds of projects moving forward. Other farmers spoke to the deep sense of pride that comes from carrying out such challenging and meaningful work, and shared advice on how to sustain it within their communities.
“Starting small is the best way, one little pot on the front step is better than nothing.” They wanted to ensure that, “people grow stuff they like to eat.” Despite the challenges, like managing relentless weeds, these farmers show up with determination, creating peace, staying organized, and just growing food. Their pride shines not just in harvesting food, but in sharing it: selling at markets and donating to those in need, all while building stronger, more connected communities.
Why this program is continuously important to ensuring that urban farmers are represented so they can continuously meet the needs of their communities
This program remains vital in ensuring urban farmers are represented and have the resources to meet the evolving needs of their communities. These hardworking and inspiring individuals continue to practice and teach urban agriculture despite significant challenges. Their resilience and dedication highlight the need for support that goes beyond transactional funding. By investing in long-term relationships and mutual learning, this program helps transform the urban ag system into one that is more equitable, connected, and community-driven. It also pushes the urban agriculture team to reflect on how we want to continue showing up in this space, and what our collective path forward should look like
Funding for the Urban Agriculture Initiative had been in flux during the federal funding freeze. Grant money promised at the start of the program is starting to trickle in but a focus on securing more funding for the initiative is a priority for RTC. RTC staff has even sent letters to local legislators pressing local government to make Urban Agriculture initiatives a priority, touching on the importance of this work and the impact it has on individuals and communities.