The NM Farmer Innovation Program’s 2026 Urban Agriculture Initiative Micro-Grants will be made available to New Mexico-based agricultural producers, producer cooperatives, political subdivisions of the state or local government, Tribal entities and agencies, and nonprofit organizations for projects that increase or improve healthy food access in urban areas, including Tribal communities and small towns throughout the state. Urban farming is defined as farms located in areas with populations over 5,000 people or 2,000 households.
These grants are competitive and will be awarded in amounts of up to $20,000, based on eligibility and ability to meet the funding criteria. Each successful applicant can only receive one Micro-Grant. Projects must take place before November 30, 2026. These grants are one-time-only awards given to grantees for short-term projects.
The 2026 Urban Agriculture Initiative Micro-Grant application is currently closed.
Webinar Recording
The Farmer Innovation Program hosted a webinar and Q&A to go over the two grant applications.
You can watch the webinar replay here.
(You may need to unmute in Vimeo.)
Funding Purpose
Implement conservation practices that will improve resilience to climate change and on-farm sustainability practices.
- Increase small farm farmers’ capacity for growing food, expanding operations, implementing climate-friendly practices, and building resilience to a changing climate.
- Provide supplies, equipment and technical assistance to farmers who provide healthy food to urban communities.
- Support farmers who may not qualify for other USDA funding.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant(s) must be producing and/or preparing to produce healthy food in urban areas within the state of New Mexico.
- Applicant(s) must be able to expend the funds and complete the project by November 30, 2026.
- Beneficiaries must submit final report, financial report and project data by December 11, 2026.
- Beneficiaries will be required to participate in follow-up storytelling and data collection.
- Beneficiaries must not be a previous New Mexico Farmer Innovation Program (NMFIP) Micro-Grant Beneficiary; producers are eligible to receive a Micro-Grant only once.
- Producers with gross cash farm income under $250,000 are eligible (commercial and noncommercial farms).
- Applicant(s) must be producing healthy and/or preparing to produce healthy food in urban areas within the state of New Mexico.
Eligible Expenses or Uses
- To enhance ongoing urban agriculture programs led by new and established urban agricultural leaders, stakeholders, growers, and farmers.
- To leverage or implement conservation practices.
- Purchase or lease on-farm infrastructure, equipment, supplies and materials, such as, but not limited to, irrigation, tools and printed materials.
- Provide cost share for some qualifying grants, if the match goes towards a project that has to do with urban agriculture.
- To expand growing operations if funding is not currently accessible through existing USDA programs.
- Access and or provide access to training and technical assistance for producers, such as but not limited to, soil testing, grant assistance and other services.
Timeline
- January 20, 2026 | Request for Applications (RFA) opens
- January 27, 2026, 4-6pm | Webinar and Q&A (recording will be available)
- February 19, 2026 | Deadline to submit application (Late applications will not be accepted.)
- March 2026 | Grant Awards Announced
- November 30, 2026 | Deadline to expend funds and complete the project
- December 11, 2026 | Deadline to submit final report, financial report and project data.
Please use this contact form for questions about the Micro-Grants and the Farmer Innovation Program.
Click here to see the projects that were funded in 2024.
Click here to see the projects that were funded in 2025.
Photo courtesy of Bidii Baby Foods
The Farmer Innovation Program Micro-Grants are awarded through Farm to Table in partnership with the USDA/FSA Urban Agriculture Initiative through the Urban and Innovative Agriculture Community-Based Organization Fund.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online, at www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-programdiscrimination-complaint-form.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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