URBAN AGRICULTURE

URBAN AGRICULTURE IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT IN SUPPORTING EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEMS IN LOS ANGELES.

We believe that urban agriculture is an essential component in supporting equitable food systems in Los Angeles. As farmers' market operators, our markets rely heavily on farmers commuting from neighboring counties like Fresno, Ventura, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and beyond to bring fresh produce, nuts, grains, meats, cheeses, and flowers to our market communities. These regional growers add tremendous value to our farmers’ markets and create unique and meaningful interdependence between rural and urban communities.

Recognizing this long-standing disparity within a multicultural city, and often only a few miles separating these two realities, we are interested in how urban agriculture can address this gap in food equity while also creating economic opportunities for local growers. This is a natural extension of SEE-LA’s work supporting urban agriculture in various ways over the last decade and builds on a long legacy Angelenos growing food to achieve food sovereignty and organizing for their right to do so without repercussion for decades.

Our work in Urban Agriculture has included working with individual local growers to become certified to sell at Food Access LA farmers’ markets. We currently have 12 LA County farmers in our markets, including Bolanos Sprouts, Huarache Farms, and Major Microgreens.

Over the last few years, we have continued to organize events in Los Angeles County in collaboration with California Climate & Action Network, Community Alliance of Family Farmers, the Los Angeles Food Policy Council, USDA Farm Services Agency, and others that allow local growers to connect, meet legislators and government representatives, and build broad coalitions. We are continuing this work in partnership with other food equity organizations in California through three new Urban Agriculture grants. Read more about those grants below.

To inquire about the urban ag program, contact us!

URBAN AG GRANTS: June 2023 - December 2025

Farmers Services Agency (FSA, USDA), managed by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)

We are partnered with the Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC).  This grant focuses on Southern California in the Los Angeles area where a new FSA office will open in Compton sometime in 2024, and in Northern California, in the Bay Area, where another FSA office will be opening in Oakland sometime in the same calendar year.

Each region will host two urban growers' gatherings a year, as well as create content to keep urban growers informed and engaged.  Every year there will be a cohort of farmers to receive microgrants for education and farm equipment.

Occidental College Urban Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) 

The Regional Food Business Center grant will help create a framework for food distribution so that fresh food will get to community members, local retail outlets, farm stands, farmers' markets, or food swaps.

The Specialty Crop Block grant will help ensure that foods grown within urban areas make sense for the area in which they are grown.

Urban Agriculture Microgrant

Are you a farmer in the SF or LA metro areas? The Farm Service Agency’s Growing Urban Agriculture $10,000 microgrants will be distributed by CAFF and our partners this spring to fund projects that may need financial support to implement. Click here to apply

  • “I've learned to make more nutritious foods and found out that it actually tastes good.”

    Central Avenue Farmers Market Participant

  • “I learned to cook healthier and to be better. [The classes] help me to be better physically and to share recipes with my son.”

    Central Avenue Farmers Market Participant

  • “I've made many changes in my daily life because of what I’ve learned thanks to the wonderful staff who motivate me to live healthier [...] progress like never before and many of my friends have even made comments about my “Healthier” appearance.”

    Raphael Santillan, Central Avenue Farmers’ Market

  • "The program was amazing; I learned that eating healthy is a lifestyle I should make. I am thankful for everything. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.”

    Cindy Ortiz, Parent Center

  • “Nutrition classes helped me to make right choices in regards to shopping more veggies and fruits than meats and dairy products.

    Narina Kazarian, Parent Center

  • “There was a reason I kept coming back week after week. I want to thank you for teaching me how to read the labels because now when I go to the store I know how to tell what’s good for me and what isn’t."

    Darryl Turner, MLK Campus Farmers Market

  • "I never liked green beans or red peppers [but after learning about stir fry] I had to convert! It’s helpful to have different things to cook that are not only healthy but also very good. I’m very happy that I was introduced to something new by coming to your class.”

    Andres Lara, MLK Campus Farmers Market