St. Lawrence County communities and organizations will be able to apply for funding for school and community gardens from the newly 800,000 New York State Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball recently announced the launch of the program, which is designed to support community growing spaces and recognize their impact on local food resiliency and food security for New Yorkers, is now open for applications.

Successful projects will be geared toward the development and enhancement of urban farms, school gardens, and community gardens across the State.

“From neighborhood gardens to rooftop farming, community growers help educate residents about agriculture and make locally grown food more accessible, especially to those in food deserts and underserved areas,” Ball said. “As we continue to reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic, we are constantly reminded that developing and strengthening a strong, local food supply chain is paramount to ensuring all New Yorkers can put food on the table, even during difficult times. These spaces also respond to the unique needs and aspirations of the communities where they exist to contribute social and economic benefits beyond food production. The Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program expands on that effort by supporting the community growing organizations that fill an essential gap in the supply chain.”

Funding through the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program will help offset costs associated with projects that focus on food production, food safety, and food distribution, while creating a lasting impact on local food resiliency, and can be used to fund worker wages, contractual expenses, equipment, and other operating expenses, a press release from the state Agriculture Department said.

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, not-for-profit educational institutions, municipal government entities, and Indian tribal organizations.

For more information on the program and how to apply, visit agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0280-urban-farms-and-community-gardens-grant-program .