The City of Cincinnati is offering mini-grants to support urban agriculture in fiscal year 2023. Funds are available for agricultural production and growing sites as well as food hub distribution sites. To qualify for funding, the location of the growing site or distribution site must be within the City of Cincinnati. Applicants can be non-profit organizations or for- profit corporations and other entities may be considered. Grants are not made to individuals. Funds are provided as reimbursement for award-approved expenses.

In fiscal year 2022 OES (using the Cincinnati Urban Agriculture Program) partnered with the Department of Community and Economic Development (utilizing DCED’s CDBG-funded Vacant Lot Reutilization Program), Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council to further the funding for urban agriculture in the City. In total, the City received requests from numerous agricultural locations for resources totaling $242,357. Forty-eight sites received award funding, totaling $77,792 in FY 2022 in support of agricultural efforts.

For the 2023 Urban Agriculture Program cycle we have approximately $45,000 available and grants will be awarded up to a $1200 level. Priority will be given to BIPOC-led, BIPOC-serving organizations, and/or organizations serving residents in low-income census tracts.

Please review the 2023 Program Criteria and Guidelines before submitting an application. Click here to link to the on-line application. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1^st, 2022, and awards will be announced by December 23, 2022.

Local food production and distribution plays an important role in addressing health, social, economic and environmental issues. This funding provides support to the urban agriculture efforts within the City and the food goals and recommendations of the Green Cincinnati Plan. 

For more information or if you cannot access the online application please contact Robin Henderson at robin.henderson@cincinnati-oh.gov or at 513-352-5340