Urban Agriculture Assistance Available from USDA in Rhode Island

From community gardens to indoor vertical farms, urban agriculture provides critical access to healthy food for local communities, as well as jobs, green spaces, and closer community ties. Urban agriculture includes the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban and suburban areas. Community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic and aquaponic facilities, and vertical production, are all examples of urban agriculture. Tribal communities and small towns may also be included.

Urban agriculture does not have to be strictly in an “urban” or city setting like downtown Providence; small farms and suburban farmers and growers also are eligible to participate in urban agriculture programs with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Anyone can sign up for assistance to apply small-scale and urban agriculture conservation practices, no matter where they are in the Ocean State. 

From the Ground Up

Running an urban farm comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities, and NRCS helps farmers care for the natural resources on their land – soil, water, air, plants, and animals.

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to growers in:

• Soil Health – As experts in soil health, NRCS conservationists can advise urban growers on what cover crops to grow, using farmers’ soil tests and our soil surveys.
• Irrigation and Water Conservation – We can help urban growers conserve water by helping with things like drip irrigation.
• Weeds and Pests – We can help with pest and weed management by planting buffers for beneficial insects, through mulching, using cover crops and other practices.
• High Tunnels – NRCS can provide financial assistance for high tunnels, used to extend the growing season and to protect plants from harsh weather, air pollution and pests. By making local produce available for more months in the year, fewer resources are used to transport food to plates.

Getting Started

You can meet face-to-face with staff at your local USDA Service Center to discuss your vision, goals, and ways USDA can help, or you can reach out to us by phone or email. Our conservationists can offer options and strategies for implementing urban agriculture, and you can find out if it is the right fit for your operation. Call your local NRCS Field Office or Conservation District Office (see listing below) for more information.

USDA serves all agriculture – large to small, conventional to organic, rural to urban. As agriculture continues to grow in new directions, USDA is growing along with it. By bringing opportunities to both rural and urban areas, we address many needs, including restoring the health of the soil and restoring the health of people.

NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round but sets state-specific ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding. These dates account for farmer needs, staff workload and ensure potential participants have ample opportunity to apply. Our first application cut-off date is December 15, 2023. Applications received after this ranking date will be automatically deferred to the next funding cycle.