Urban Grower Success Micro-Grant

Purpose of Funding: These funds are available to assist those individuals, organizations, and/or community-based groups already active in urban agriculture. Successful projects must fill a perceived need in support of urban agriculture and food systems in Allegheny County.

ACCD is a cooperator of the USDA Urban and Innovation Agriculture Grant, a funding opportunity that supports the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) broad definition of urban agriculture, including farming and growing activities within urban areas. This USDA investiment is in collaboration with To Improve Mississippi Economics, Inc. (TIME Inc.).

About Micro-Grants: Micro-grants are small, one-time-only, awards given to eligible producers for short-term projects.

This is a partial reimbursement grant; applicants can request an advance payment of 70% of the proposed budget and final payment of 30% upon completion of the project.

Micro-grant dispersement is dependent on USDA and To Improve Mississippi Economics (TIME) Inc's continued administration of the grant. If USDA or TIME Inc discontinues the grant or grant reimbursements, micro-grants will not be dispersed. 

• August 1, 2025: Request for Proposals Opens
• October 15, 2025: Proposal Deadline
• October, 2025: Proposals Reviewed by Review Committee
• November/December, 2025: Proposals Reviewed by USDA FSA
• January 1, 2026: Awardees to be Notified 
• February, 2026: Award Agreement Finalization 
• March 1, 2026– November 1, 2026: Implement Project
• December 1, 2026: Deadline to submit final report, financial report, and project data

*This timeline is dependent on the USDA review process and is subject to change. 

Location and Timing:

• The project can be completed from March 1, 2026 to November 1, 2026.   
• Completed attached application is submitted no later than 5 PM on October 15, 2025.
• The proposed work must take place in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  

Funding Eligibility: 

• Applicants are eligible to receive this micro-grant only once. 
• The total funding request is between $500 and $8,000.
• There is no match requirement for this funding. However, if total project cost is greater than requested amount, applicant must provide proof of additional funds to support completion of project.  
• The proposed work will enhance and build the capacity of current urban agriculture activities in Allegheny County, PA. The proposal clearly identifies a need to support urban agriculture and food systems activity.  
• Requested funds can only be used for activities directly related to the project.   

Applicant Eligibility:

• Applicant identifies as an Urban Agriculture Producer (individual urban agricultural producer or entity). Entities eligible to apply include: non-profit organization, community-based organization, Tribal entity, or for-profit urban agriculture business.
• Only one proposal can be submitted by an entity or individual. Proposals are allowed to include multiple sites of project activity under one application.  
• The applicant must participate in all project budgeting and reporting requirements. 
• If awarded, the applicant is able to receive funding as a contractual service through Allegheny County Conservation District. This requires a W-9 form. Applicant can request an advance payment of 70% of the proposed budget and final 30% at the end of the project. Applicant must use advance funds for the awarded project and shall supply receipts and/or other supporting information to document expenditure of payment prior to receiving additional payments. Final payment of remaining 30% will be made after Applicant  submits an invoice and receipts and/or other supporting information to document expenditure of final 30%. If the applicant doesn’t require an advance payment of funds, the full payment will be reimbursed at the end of the project with an invoice and receipts and/or other supporting information to document expenditure. All awardees will be expected to sign a Funding Agreement that stipulates these requirements. 
• Commitment to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including a site-specific review if conditions listed in attached “USDA Environmental Review Process” are true. Microgrant awardees must satisfy any site-specific NEPA requirements identified by FSA prior to drawing down funds or incurring expenses related to the micro-grant. Site-specific reviews to ensure compliance with NEPA may be needed for any project activities funded through the micro-grant programs, and may result in significant project timeline delays.  
• Projects must meet Allegheny County Conservation District’s commitment to a policy of nondiscrimination. ACCD’s employment policies and practices are open to all, regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Eligible Costs:

• Land Acquisition  
• Education and/ or training for producer 
• Creating education opportunities for community served 
• Supplies procurement  
• Equipment procurement (greater than $5,000)  
• Equipment rental  
• On-farm infrastructure  
• Soil health improvements  
• Implementation of conversation practices  
• Other 

Restricted Costs 

• Funds may not be used for the repayment of loans. 

Support is available to assistance you in preparing, completing, and submitting an application!

• Recorded Webinar: Coming Soon
• Q&A Sessions: Interested applicants can attend a virtual or in-person information session. Find dates and register here.
• Pre-Application Meeting: Onsite meeting available with ACCD staff are upon request (August 1- October 15, 2025). Email Hayly Hoch (hhoch@accdpa.org) to schedule.
• Office Hours: Weekly walk-in options are available for application support.
  • Thursdays from August 7- October 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at ACCD office (317 East Carson Street, Suite 119 Pittsburgh, PA 15219).
  • Find directions to ACCD's office here.
• One-on-One Technical Assistance: Schedule a session with Pittsburgh Food Policy Council Technical Assistance Consultant, Jay Eury (jay@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org).

Download the Request for Proposals to learn about eligibility, project timeline, review process, grant payments, reporting, and more.

Request for Proposals

 

 

Submit Online

Or download and print application here. 

• Email application to hhoch@accdpa.org. Email submissions should be compressed and saved as one PDF file.   
• Mail to: Allegheny County Conservation District, 317 East Carson Street, Suite 119, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 

Download and complete the project budget template and include in application submission. 

Budget Template

Note: All applications must include a project budget. For submission, upload with online application OR attach with emailed/ mailed print application.

Download the score sheet used by the Review Committee to evaluate applications.

Application Score Sheet

Note: Submitted applications will be reviewed, scored, and selected by the Review Committee comprised of one representative from each partner organization (Grow Pittsburgh, Pasa  Sustainable Agriculture, Hilltop Urban Farm, Chatham University, and Pittsburgh Food Policy Council), two ACCD staff representatives, and two farmer representatives from Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee.