What Resources Are Available for Urban Farms?
The Michigan Urban Agriculture Resource Page is a product of Michigan State University’s Urban Agriculture Summit held on February 7th 2025, at MSU’s Henry Center. Over 200 urban agriculture (UA) stakeholders from across the state and beyond gathered to discuss sector-relevant topics, including institutional support for UA, climate resilience, and more. The summit explored ways farmers, MSU, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other organizations can support and enhance UA in Michigan in the future. A major takeaway from the summit, based on a compiled attendee feedback report, was the desire for a one-stop interface for statewide urban agriculture resources. Over the past year, the Michigan Urban Farming database, developed by MSU doctoral candidate and urban agriculturalist Cristóbal Arellano, thanks to a grant from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and coordinator Sarah Zeiler, and the support of the following individuals: Michigan State University Extension Center educator Katie Brandt, Michigan Urban Agriculture Summit organizer and Director of MSU-Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning, and Innovation, Naim Edwards, and finally, Bekah Galang, and Mel Hill at the Center for Regional Food Systems’ for allowing the resource page to be housed permanently in the Michigan Emerging Farmers site.
What funding is available for urban agriculture?
What statewide technical assistance is available for urban agriculture?
What resources are available for urban agriculture near me?
What organizations can help me access land for urban agriculture?
How can I get involved with urban farming in my community?
How can I learn more about urban agriculture projects in Michigan?
Urban Farming Spatial Database Map
What funding is available for urban agriculture?
Place-based funding and grants:
Title |
Organization |
Description |
| Community Development Financial Institutions Fund |
CDFIs make financial services available to disadvantaged businesses and low-income communities throughout the country. https://www.cdfifund.gov/awards/state-awards/state-results/Michigan |
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The Healthy Food Financing Initiative provides financial and technical assistance to eligible fresh, healthy food retailers and food retail supply chain enterprises. https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/initiatives/healthy-food-financing-initiative |
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| Michigan Good Food Fund |
The Michigan Good Food Fund provides financing for Michigan businesses across the food value chain, from growers to restaurateurs. |
More information is available on the map below.
Conservation, Climate Change Resilience and Regenerative Agriculture Funding
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Organization |
Description |
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American Farmland Trust works to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. This includes the Better Future Fund which can be applied to urban farming. |
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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) |
MDARD offers grants, regulatory guidance, and market development support. NOTE: Most grants applicable to urban farming are for governments, non-profits, or business entities to address supply chain gaps or improve the competitiveness of local food systems. |
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Funding opportunities for conservation, invasives treatment, brownfield restoration, and water quality-related projects. |
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U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service |
Financial support for conservation practices. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/environmental-quality-incentives-program |
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MOFFA promotes organic agriculture, provides intensive trainings, and maintains organic farm resources. |
Funding for Research, Education, and Schools
Title |
Organization |
Description |
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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) |
The food safety education fund can be used for training and education to consumers on food safety, and training and education to food service establishment employees. michigan.gov/mdard/business-development/grantfund/food-safety-education-fund-grants |
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SARE North Central Region administers several grant programs, as well as learning opportunities and resources for farmers interested in sustainable agriculture. Farmers can also apply to be on one of NCR-SARE’s grant review committees |
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The Health Fund makes grants to nonprofit organizations and agencies to support innovative, evidence-based work to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents. |
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The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is designed to increase the availability of local foods and connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for meals. |
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Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub: Spark and Innovation Collaboration Awards |
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub fosters collaborations that nourish students, connect schools with local farms and businesses, and reflect our region’s families and communities. |
Funding for Beginning, Emerging, Underserved, and Black Farmers
What statewide technical assistance is available for urban agriculture?
Title |
Organization |
Description |
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The West MI Farmers of Color land fund’s goal is to support people of color who want to grow food in West Michigan. https://www.gofundme.com/f/dtuz62-west-michigan-farmers-of-color-land-fund |
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Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund is a coalition with a collective mission to rebuild inter-generational land ownership for Black Farmers in Detroit. |
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The Quick + Equitable Impact Fund is designed to support swift and uplifting renovations of smaller community spaces on the terms of those they serve. (Eligible for Detroit projects) |
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CultiateGrowth offers young, beginning, and small farmers grants, education, mentorship, and specialized financing to build and sustain a successful agricultural operation. greenstonefcs.com/loans/young-beginning-small-farmers/#tabs-0-panel-1 |
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The Black Farmers Learn Educational Subsidy will pay tuition or registration fees of up to $500 for Black farmers or land stewards who wish to expand their knowledge or skills via a self-identified training program. |
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Real Farmer Care's foundational program provides each farmer recipient a $100 self-care award to support a self-care need and build a network of farmers. |
Funding for Supply Chain, Food Businesses and Food Systems
Title |
Organization |
Description |
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The Healthy Food Financing Initiative provides financial and technical assistance to eligible fresh, healthy food retailers and food retail supply chain enterprises. rd.usda.gov/about-rd/initiatives/healthy-food-financing-initiative |
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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) |
MDARD offers grants, regulatory guidance, and market development support. NOTE: Most grants applicable to urban farming are for governments, non-profits, or business entities to address supply chain gaps or improve the competitiveness of local food systems. |
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Michigan Good Food Fund provides flexible financing and tailored business assistance to support the success of food and farm entrepreneurs and to grow a more resilient, inclusive local food system. migoodfoodfund.org/support-for-entrepreneurs/seed-awards/https://migoodfoodfund.org/ |
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Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) |
The Funding Sources for Food-Related Businesses is a directory created to support and benefit food-related businesses. |
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The NextCycle Resource Library lists grants including but not limited to circular economy endeavors such as food waste diversion. |
What resources are available for urban agriculture near me?
Check out the map below to find more resources near you.
Title |
Organization |
Description |
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Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) at Michigan State University Extension |
Vendors of organic inputs, equipment and supplies, and services useful for organic farmers in Michigan. |
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MSU Extension brings trusted, research-backed knowledge to where it’s needed most: your home, your farm, your business, or your neighborhood. |
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Find licensed, commercial kitchens to take your food business to the next level! |
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Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) |
This map shows incubator kitchens and shared kitchen spaces in Michigan. canr.msu.edu/michigan-incubator-kitchen-network/incubator-kitchens-map |
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This wiki features all things sustainable. |
What organizations can help me access land for urban agriculture?
Check out the map below to find a land bank near you.
Organization |
Description |
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Side Lots are an ongoing vacant land sales program offered by the Detroit Land Bank Authority since 2014. |
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The Land Bank's Garden Program encourages and supports community-based beautification and gardening projects on the Land Bank vacant lots. |
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The Side Lot Program offers residents the opportunity to expand their yards. |
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources Surplus Land Auction |
While most of the 4.6 million acres of DNR-managed public lands are dedicated as state forests, parks, recreation areas, water access sites, and wildlife areas, some may be available for sale or exchange. michigan.gov/en/dnr/managing-resources/real-estate/auctions-sales |
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Land listed through the Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance. |
How can I get involved with urban farming in my community?
Check out the map below to find urban agriculture community organizations near you.
National/ Statewide/ Regional Networks and Groups
Organization |
Description |
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The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. |
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The Food Systems Leadership Network is a national peer learning community that connects current and emerging leaders, strengthens individual and collective leadership capacity, and fosters collaboration across communities. |
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Michigan Farmers Union is a membership-driven organization that is committed to enhancing the quality of life of family farmers through educational opportunities, co-operative endeavors and civic engagement. |
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West Michigan Growers’ Group provides collective marketing and buying, collaborative work, bartering labor and tools, and monthly gatherings for new and established farmers. |
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The Northeast Michigan Healthy Food Initiative strengthens the regional economy by supporting local growers, food businesses, and supply chains that create jobs and build long-term economic stability in Northeast Michigan. |
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MIFMA supports markets and vendors with education, technical assistance, and food access programming. |
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The National Young Farmers Coalition is a farmer-led, grassroots network shifting power and changing policy to equitably resource the new generation of working farmers. We are the largest unified voice calling for farm policy that will deliver a bright future for young farmers and ranchers in the U.S. |
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West Michigan Young Farmers Coalition advances the conversation around equitable land access in West Michigan and beyond to bring attention to vital resources needed to close the gap present for BIPOC farmers realizing their land ownership dreams and having the resources they need to thrive. |
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Annie’s Project empowers women in agriculture by hosting educational and networking events and sharing stories. |
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MSBF promotes business practices that advance climate leadership, social justice and the creation of a circular economy. |
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The Food Club Network provides a platform for mutual learning, leverage, and advocacy for established Food Club entities and an accelerator for new Food Club entities. |
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The SGSO Network is an open peer-to-peer learning network with the goal of growing, sustaining and elevating a movement of equitable garden-based education. |
Other directories and databases
Title |
Organization |
Description |
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Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) |
The Michigan Food Hub Network brings food hubs together to create something larger than the sum of its parts: A network of regional food distributors across the state dedicated to supporting the growth and success of Michigan’s local food economy. |
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Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) |
This directory contains information on Michigan local food councils and food policy councils. canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan-local-food-councils-directory |
How can I learn more about urban agriculture projects in Michigan?
Organization |
Description |
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Find a Pantry to Donate Food |
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Article: From urban gardens to agrihoods: The rise of agricultural neighborhoods in Detroit oneearth.org/from-urban-gardens-to-agrihoods-the-rise-of-agricultural-neighborhoods-in-detroit/ |
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As Detroit sees a future in urban agriculture, some pushback harkens to a dark past |
Article: Detroit Urban Agriculture by Lyndsay C. Green |
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Growing so much: More and more urban farms sprouting in Lansing |
Article by Sarah Atwood |
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Article by Marz Anderson |
Urban Farming Spatial Database Map
The primary function of the page is to centralize urban farming resources along the following seven categories: farms/gardens/land, food banks/pantries/public kitchens, food banks/pantries, resource hubs/incubators/suppliers, education/training/research, policy/permitting/funding, community networks/advocacy groups. The data has been organized into eleven geographic locations: central upper peninsula, eastern upper peninsula, western upper peninsula, southcentral, northeastern, northwestern, eastern, western, southeastern, southwestern, and capital area region. The data is accessible in both text and map forms. The intended audience for these resources is urban farmers, urban community gardeners, food business entrepreneurs, and food assistance service providers. The resource dataset is current as of 4/26/2026. If you would like to be added or removed from the resource page, please contact CRFS.
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