Urban Growers

Access to capital enables you to buy or lease land, buy equipment, and help with other operating costs. Learn more about accessing to land and capital. If you’re new to farming, check out our resources for beginning farmers. We can help you with resources for your business plan, something every farm business needs.

Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers many types of loans, including microloans tailored specifically to small-scale farms. See more information on USDA funding for your operation and use the Farm Loan Assistance Tool to determine what might work well for you.

Risk Management Agency (RMA) can help you insure your crops against losses due to unforeseen circumstances, including the micro farm policy specifically tailored to small operations, including farms producing specialty or organic commodities. Learn more about the available insurance policies and disaster recovery programs from a local insurance agent, by visiting your local USDA service center or by using the free disaster assistance discovery tool.

Rural Development can help urban producers locate guaranteed financing through the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers technical and financial assistance with conservation practices, including high tunnels, soil health management systems, composting facilities and irrigation. They can help you identify your goals with a developing a conservation plan.

Local and regional agricultural organizations like Cooperative Extension also offer free training and expertise.

OUAIP offers competitive grants for projects that improve local food access, support farmer infrastructure, or increase production by urban farms or food forests.

Conservation Innovation Grants offer funding for on-farm projects, some of which are targeted towards urban farms. Farmers apply for projects that develop new approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation.

Programs offered through FSA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) can help you reach consumers in new ways and open additional revenue streams when selling products.

The Women, Infants, Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program issues coupons for eligible foods from state-approved farmers, farmers' markets, or roadside stands. Contact your state for eligibility and information on how to accept WIC as payment when selling products directly to consumers.

Farm Storage Facility Loans (FSA) provide low-interest loans to build, upgrade, or purchase permanent or portable facilities to store commodities, including fruit and vegetable cold storage, washing, packing, and handling buildings and equipment.

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets like farmers markets. Agricultural businesses and cooperative are among the eligible entities.

If you haven’t worked with USDA previously, your first step should be to contact your USDA Service Center and make an appointment.

• We have Urban Service Centers in several cities. See if we have an Urban Service Center near you. 
• If your urban operation isn’t near one of the Urban Service Centers, you can reach your local staff at one of our more than 2,300 Service Centers across the country. Find your nearest office. 

Be sure to ask what documents you’ll need.

Some considerations before your visit:

• What is your vision for your garden or farm?
• What are your challenges?

If you need information in a language other than English, we offer translated materials and free interpretation services.

Some states have NRCS urban conservationists who can help meet your specific needs as an urban farmer. Contact your local USDA service to find out if your state has one, and what other resources are available.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators are USDA team members who can help you understand the USDA process and find the right assistance for your operation. We have coordinators in every state across the country.

Your local USDA Extension office and Conservation District will also have resources for you.

Learn how to sign up for a farmers.gov account. You can view loan information and manage conservation business online.

We also have a number of tools to help you: find the right loan; learn about recovery options after natural disasters, find a crop insurance agent, or discover conservation options.