Two Duluth organizations awarded agricultural grant money

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has awarded a total of $551,000 in grants to 14 statewide projects under the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Urban Agriculture Grant Program. Two organizations in Duluth are getting some of those funds.

This is the fifth year of the program, with the purpose to encourage urban youth agricultural education and urban agriculture community development, by assisting organizations and communities in obtaining the materials and services necessary for the successful promotion of urban agriculture.

"The recipients for this year’s grants will use their awards to expand on agriculture projects within their communities," said MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. "These projects not only allow Minnesota’s youth the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences in agriculture and food production, but also strengthen the food system as a whole within each community."

The 2022 AGRI Urban Agriculture Grant recipients include:

American Indian Community Housing Organization – Continue Giinawiind Giginitaawigi’gomin programming with Indigenous youth in the Duluth community to restore connections to cultural food practices through gardening, farming, and entrepreneurial skill-building.

Family Freedom Center, Duluth – Increase food production and access at Family Freedom Center’s two farm sites in the Lincoln Park and Hillside neighborhoods of Duluth.

Funding for this program is made available through the AGRI Program, which administers grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more throughout the state of Minnesota. The AGRI Program exists to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.