USDA NRCS Offers Grants for Tennessee Urban Agriculture & Community Gardens

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2023. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for the development of urban agriculture and innovative production activities. The Tennessee NRCS Urban Agriculture Project is an effort to challenge local Conservation Districts, non-profit organizations, non-government organizations, institutions of higher learning and other community partners to establish pollinator, urban, and community gardens across Tennessee. The simple act of planting a garden or creating a pollinator habitat can help unite neighbors in a common effort and inspire locally led solutions to some of the challenges facing local communities within the state. Addressing hunger and health, while inspiring beautification projects, with an urban garden can positively unite communities.

Proposals will be accepted from eligible entities for projects located in Tennessee. NRCS anticipates the total amount awarded under this announcement in Federal fiscal year 2023 will be approximately $150,000.00. Proposals are requested from eligible entities for projects with a one to two-year duration. Entity types that may be eligible under these criteria include the following:

• City or township governments

• County governments

• Independent school districts

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)

• Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)

• Private institutions of higher education

• Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education

• Small businesses

• Special district governments

• State governments

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 24th, 2023. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 30th, 2023, and expects to execute awards by September 15, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.