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City accepts $500,000 state environmental justice grant to expand urban agriculture
Summary
City parks staff presented and the fiscal committee approved a $500,000 Environmental Justice Impact grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to support urban agriculture projects in city parks, including temporary staff support, infrastructure improvements and partnerships with the Urban Agriculture Committee.
The fiscal committee approved a resolution accepting a $500,000 Environmental Justice Impact grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to fund urban agriculture projects in Grand Rapids parks.
Laura Claypool of the parks department described the award to commissioners and staff: “You have before you a resolution accepting a $500,000 grant from the environmental justice impact, environmental Great Lakes energy, for urban projects, urban agriculture projects in city parks,” she said. The grant will support urban agriculture work including hiring a part‑time staffer to review effective urban agriculture practices, developing systems, improving watering and storage infrastructure, and providing grants and technical assistance to local organizations. Claypool said the department intends to partner with the Urban Agriculture Committee to administer elements of the program and that the grant agreement runs through Sept. 30, 2027.
Commissioners voiced general support during the fiscal committee meeting and the resolution passed without opposition. Staff said the award will help the city implement both community garden infrastructure investments and operating support for organizations running urban agriculture projects.
The grant requires execution of a state agreement; staff will return to the commission with any required implementation steps and program details as projects and partnerships are finalized.
