Urban Agriculture
Local food production and distribution plays an important role in addressing health, social, economic, and environmental issues. By providing the GCP Seeds of Change Urban Agriculture Mini-Grant Round, the City seeks to support local agriculture efforts, such as community gardens, foraging sites and market garden businesses, as well as local food hubs, to increase local food production, distribution and access to fresh, healthy foods.
GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FY2027 ARE OPEN!
In fiscal year 2027 funds are available for agricultural production and growing sites as well as local food aggregation distribution sites. To qualify for funding, the location of the growing or distribution sites must be within the City of Cincinnati. Applicants can be non-profit or for-profit corporations and other entities may be considered. Grants are not made to individuals.
Applications are due Monday, November 16, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.
Click links to the FY2027 Program Criteria and Funding Guidelines and the online Application Form.
Here is a printable version of the application to use to prepare your Online Application Form.
For the 2027 GCP Seeds of Change Urban Agriculture Grant Round, we are recommending that requests do not exceed $1000.
Priority will be given to neighborhoods that have participated in the Climate Safe Neighborhoods Program (CSN), but everyone is encouraged to apply. The CSN neighborhoods include Avondale, Bond Hill, English Woods, Lower Price Hill, Millvale, North Fairmount, Roselawn, South Cumminsville, South Fairmount, West End, & Winton Hills.
Priority will also be given to projects that include healthy soil measures and the installation of composting infrastructure. OES is happy to assist you with composting infrastructure questions
Funds may be used for eligible expenses dating from December 19, 2026 through May 15, 2027.
Items that are eligible for funding at AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION/GROWING (Garden or Farm) sites:
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- Site Improvement (e.g., soil testing, soil, compost, cover crops, etc.)
- Growing needs (e.g., plants, seeds, tools, hoses, beds, beehives, etc.)
- Infrastructure (e.g., composting, water access, fencing, season extenders, benches, walkways, etc.)
Items that are eligible for funding at LOCAL FOOD AGGREGATED DISTRIBUTION sites:
- Infrastructure/Equipment (e.g., racking/shelving, pallet jack, reusable crates, packing material, forklift, large dollies, etc.)
- Supplies (e.g., storage containers, liners, carts, tables, scales, bags, etc.)
- Marketing Materials (e.g., postcard mailers, local food stickers and magnets, truck decals, signage, social/print/radio ads, etc.)
TIMELINE FOR FY2027 Seeds of Change Urban Agriculture Grants
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Applications Due |
Monday, November 16,2026 by 11:59 p.m. |
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Award notification |
December 18, 2026 |
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Expense Period Allowed for Reimbursement* |
December 19, 2026 through May 15, 2027* |
* Entities must be Registered Vendors with the City and have approval for purchases
MINI-GRANT AWARDS IN FY2026
In fiscal year 2026 the City received 54 urban agriculture applications. Forty eight proposals received award funding. Funding was provided by the City’s general fund and additional financial support from the Green Cincinnati Fund at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
The following entities received urban agriculture resources for FY 2026. Congratulations to them and much appreciation for all the work they do as part of Cincinnati's food system!
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Pleasant Street North Community Garden |
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SPCA Garten Klub |
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For more information, please contact Robin Henderson at robin.henderson@cincinnati-oh.gov or at 513-352-5340.