Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS PA CTA 23 NOFO0001234
The 2023 Pennsylvania NRCS People's Garden Initiative Request for Applications is a competitive federal funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania. It uses American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds to support local, food-producing garden projects that help strengthen food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. The core idea behind the opportunity is not only to grow food locally, but also to educate the public on how community gardening and local food production can reduce pressure on broader supply chains and make neighborhoods more resilient during disruptions.
This round of funding is focused specifically on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the surrounding metropolitan area, and it is intended for non-profit community groups operating within designated urban areas. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status as well as nonprofits that do not have 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education. The funding is provided through cooperative agreements, which generally means recipients should expect an active partnership and oversight relationship with NRCS during project implementation rather than a hands-off grant arrangement.
Awards are expected to range from $10,000 to $75,000 per project, with an anticipated total of about 10 awards. Funded projects must center on food-producing gardens and include an educational component, aligning with the program's emphasis on public learning and community capacity-building. While the notice references additional criteria described in the full announcement, the high-level requirement is clear: the project should both support food production and deliver education that connects gardening to local food resilience and supply chain stability.
The application deadline is April 21, 2023, and applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Organizations that are new to Grants.gov are directed to follow the setup steps described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO), since registration and account configuration can take time. For technical problems with the Grants.gov platform itself, applicants must contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov, because NRCS staff will not assist with Grants.gov account troubleshooting.
For questions about the content of the funding notice, applicants are instructed to contact the federal awarding agency contact listed in Section G of the NFO. The agency also limits the type of questions it will answer: it will respond to requests for clarification about the notice (for example, dates, page references, or resolving discrepancies), but it will not provide feedback on whether an organization is eligible in practice or whether a particular project idea is likely to be competitive.
NRCS estimates that it will make project selections by May 5, 2023 and execute awards by May 12, 2023, though both dates are explicitly noted as subject to change. Administrative identifiers tied to the opportunity include Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS PA CTA 23 NOFO0001234, CFDA number 10.902, and an original posting/creation date of March 7, 2023, with an award ceiling of $75,000 per project.Apply for USDA NRCS PA CTA 23 NOFO0001234
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2023 PENNSYLVANIA NRCS PEOPLE’S GARDEN INITIATIVE REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 07, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 21, 2023 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 2023 Pennsylvania NRCS People's Garden Initiative Request for Applications?
It is a competitive federal funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania to support local, food-producing garden projects that also educate the public about community gardening, local food production, and food supply chain resiliency.
What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to fund projects that grow food locally while teaching the community how local food production and community gardening can reduce pressure on broader supply chains and strengthen neighborhood resilience during disruptions.
What funding source is being used for this opportunity?
This round uses American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds.
Where must projects be located to be eligible for this round?
This round of funding is focused specifically on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the surrounding metropolitan area, and it is intended for nonprofit community groups operating within designated urban areas.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofit organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
No. Nonprofits may apply with or without 501(c)(3) status, but institutions of higher education are not eligible under the eligibility description provided.
Is this funding a traditional grant?
No. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, which generally means recipients should expect an active partnership and oversight relationship with NRCS during project implementation rather than a hands-off grant arrangement.
How much funding can be requested per project?
Awards are expected to range from $10,000 to $75,000 per project, with an award ceiling of $75,000 per project.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS anticipates making about 10 awards.
What kinds of projects will be funded?
Funded projects must center on food-producing gardens and include an educational component. The education should connect gardening and local food production to local food resilience and supply chain stability.
Is an educational component required?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes public learning and community capacity-building, and funded projects must include an educational component in addition to food production.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is April 21, 2023. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
How do applicants submit an application?
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by the stated deadline and time.
What if an organization is new to Grants.gov?
Organizations new to Grants.gov are directed to follow the setup steps described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO), because registration and account configuration can take time.
Who can help with Grants.gov technical issues?
For technical problems with the Grants.gov platform, applicants must contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. NRCS staff will not assist with Grants.gov account troubleshooting.
Who should applicants contact with questions about the content of the funding notice?
Applicants should contact the federal awarding agency contact listed in Section G of the NFO for questions about the content of the notice.
What types of questions will NRCS answer about the notice?
The agency will respond to requests for clarification about the notice (such as dates, page references, or resolving discrepancies).
What types of questions will NRCS not answer about the notice?
The agency will not provide feedback on whether an organization is eligible in practice or whether a particular project idea is likely to be competitive.
When does NRCS expect to make selections and execute awards?
NRCS estimates it will make project selections by May 5, 2023 and execute awards by May 12, 2023. Both dates are noted as subject to change.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NRCS PA CTA 23 NOFO0001234.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 10.902.
When was this opportunity originally posted?
The original posting/creation date is March 7, 2023.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: FY23 COPS Hiring Program
Previous opportunity: Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NRCS PA CTA 23 NOFO0001234
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NRCS PA CTA 23 NOFO0001234) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY2023 Scientific Cooperation Research Program Apply for USDA FAS 10961 0700 10 23 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10961 0700 10 23 0001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Scientific Cooperation and Research 10.961 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program Apply for USDA FAS 10619 0762 10 23 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10619 0762 10 23 0001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, International Agricultural Educ Fellowship 10.619 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Cochran Fellowship Program – U.S. Softwoods for Structural Marial: Quality, Grades, and Applications for Peru Apply for USDA FAS 10962 0700 10 23 0002 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10962 0700 10 23 0002 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $86,000 |
| International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program (Cooperative Agreement) Apply for USDA FAS 10619 0762 10 23 0002 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10619 0762 10 23 0002 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY 2023 Faculty Exchange Program – Philippine and Vietnamese Veterinary Science Apply for USDA FAS 10613 0700 10 23 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10613 0700 10 23 0001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grants Iowa State Program Apply for USDA NRCS IA 23 CIG NOFO0001243 Funding Number: USDA NRCS IA 23 CIG NOFO0001243 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 009602 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEMS 009602 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY 2023 Food Assistance Proposal Instructions and Request for Applications FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY Apply for USDA FAS 10606 0700 23 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10606 0700 23 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $39,000,000 |
| 2024 Market Access Program Apply for USDA FAS MAP 2024 Funding Number: USDA FAS MAP 2024 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Emerging Markets Program Apply for USDA FAS EMP 2024 Funding Number: USDA FAS EMP 2024 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program Apply for USDA FAS FMD 2024 Funding Number: USDA FAS FMD 2024 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| 2024 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program Apply for USDA FAS TASC 2024 Funding Number: USDA FAS TASC 2024 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Quality Samples Program Apply for USDA FAS QSP 2024 Funding Number: USDA FAS QSP 2024 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Georgia NRCS Technical Outreach and Education for Fiscal Year 2023 Apply for USDA NRCS GA MULTI 23 NOFO0001245 Funding Number: USDA NRCS GA MULTI 23 NOFO0001245 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Value-Added Producer Grant Apply for RDBCP VAPG 2023 Funding Number: RDBCP VAPG 2023 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY23 Arkansas Technical Assistance Projects Apply for USDA NRCS AR MULTI 23 NOFO0001253 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AR MULTI 23 NOFO0001253 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Micro-Grants for Food Security Program Apply for USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 23 0008 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 23 0008 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $3,040,000 |
| 2023 Scientific Exchange Program – African Animal Feed and Fertilizer Innovation Apply for USDA FAS 10620 0762 10 23 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10620 0762 10 23 0001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $260,000 |
| FSIS FERN Cooperative Agreement -FERN Portal Apply for FSIS FERN 04072023 Funding Number: FSIS FERN 04072023 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $260,000 |
| Cochran Fellowship Program – Mexico Alumni Workshop and Impact Report Apply for USDA FAS 10962 0700 10 23 0004 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10962 0700 10 23 0004 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $130,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NRCS PA CTA 23 NOFO0001234", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.