WASHINGTON DC – May 4, 2022 – Community collaborations in urban agriculture are receiving support through a partnership between the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) and the American Public Gardens Association (Association). Under the third year of the Urban Agriculture Resilience Program, 24 urban agriculture collaborations between public gardens and community partners across 19 states are receiving $440,800, the largest amount awarded through the program to date.

The collaborations will support food growing and education activities in urban communities experiencing food insecurity and strengthen their capacity to engage in urban agriculture. In 2022, 73 organizations will participate in the program, representing a wide range of community partnerships including botanic gardens, arboreta, public schools and school districts, universities, parks and recreation departments, youth organizations, community centers, food banks, health centers, urban farms, community gardens, faith-based organizations, and small businesses.

“We are so happy to continue this program supporting urban agriculture education and food production among public gardens and partnering organizations across the country,” said Saharah Moon Chapotin, USBG executive director. “Growing food is such an important way to build community and resilience as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and in many food-insecure neighborhoods, having ready access to fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables is equally critical.”

“We are pleased to partner with the USBG on this effort that results not just in thousands of pounds of food being delivered to urban communities but also in furthering our knowledge so as to create and improve hundreds more partnerships like those who have received these awards,” Association Executive Director D. Casey Sclar said. “It’s simply fantastic! “

The Urban Agriculture Resilience Program began in 2020 as a way for the USBG and the Association to help public gardens continue urban agriculture and food growing programs facing funding and capacity challenges due to COVID-19. Learn more about previous awardees at www.USBG.gov/UrbanAg.

2022 Urban Agriculture Resilience Program Awardees

Alaska

  • Alaska Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Bowman Elementary School
  • Georgeson Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Sustainability, and University of Alaska Fairbanks Vegetable Varieties Program

Arizona

  • Desert Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Unlimited Potential, TigerMountain Foundation, Orchard Community Learning Center, and Roosevelt School District

California

  • Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, in collaboration with UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, and City of San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services
  • Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, in collaboration with Mundo Gardens

Colorado

  • Denver Botanic Gardens, in collaboration with Sun Valley Kitchen and Community Center

Connecticut

  • Connecticut College, in collaboration with FRESH New London

Delaware

  • The Delaware Center for Horticulture, in collaboration with Food Bank of Delaware and Kingswood Community Center

Florida

  • Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Illinois

  • Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, in collaboration with Garfield Park Community Council and Chicago Park District

Kentucky

  • Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, in collaboration with YouthBuild Louisville and Urban Conservation Corps

Michigan

  • Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum – University of Michigan, in collaboration with Cadillac Urban Gardens (Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision), Growing Hope, Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network D-Town Farm, and Keep Growing Detroit

Minnesota

  • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, in collaboration with Carver County Health and Human Services, Scott County Public Health, and River Valley Health Services

Missouri

  • EarthDance Organic Farm School, in collaboration with Ferguson-Florissant School District, All Among Us Women’s Care Center, and Blessed Teresa Of Calcutta Food Pantry

New Jersey

  • City Green, in collaboration with Clifton Recreation Department

New York

  • Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center, in collaboration with New York Botanical Garden, Morning Glory Community Garden, La Finca del Sur, and Castle Hill Resident Association
  • Queens Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Astoria Values

North Carolina

  • Cape Fear Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and Fayetteville Urban Ministry

Pennsylvania

  • Grumblethorpe Historic House and Gardens, in collaboration with Awbury Arboretum, Philly Forests, Weavers Way Co-op, and Chef Gail
  • Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, in collaboration with Neighborhood Gardens Trust and Furtick Farms
  • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with Operation Better Block

Tennessee

  • Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, in collaboration with BattleField Farm & Gardens

Utah

  • Utah State University Extension, in collaboration with Utah State University Botanical Center

Virginia

  • Downtown Greens, in collaboration with Hazel Hill Healthcare Project

###

Media contacts: Devin Dotson, U.S. Botanic Garden, (202) 306-6743 or Richard Doran, American Public Gardens Association, (610) 708-3013.

About the United States Botanic Garden

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States, created in 1820. The USBG informs visitors about the importance and fundamental value and diversity of plants, as well as their aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic, and ecological significance. With over a million visitors annually, the USBG strives to demonstrate and promote sustainable practices. It is a living plant museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. www.USBG.gov