Intent to Apply for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant Copyrighted
August 1, 2022
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 015.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: IntenttoApplyfor United States DepartmentofAgriculture (USDA)
Office of Urban Agriculture and I nnovative Production Grant
SUM MARY: City Manager recommending City Council approve the resolution and
authorize the Mayor to designate the City Manager or Housing and
Community Development Department to submit a grant on behalf of the
City to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)that funds up
to $300,000 over 12-36 months for Planning or Implementation projects
that are designed to improve access to local foods in areas where
access to fresh, healthy food is limited or unavailable through urban
and/or innovative agricultural practices.
RESOLUTION Application for USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and
Innovative Production Grant
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File;Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
I ntent to Apply for USDA Office of Urban Agriculture City Manager Memo
and Innovative Production Grant-MVM Memo
I ntent to Apply for USDA Grant- Staff Memo Staff Memo
I ntent to Apply for USDA Grant- Resolution Resolutions
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Intent to Apply for USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative
Production Grant
DATE: July 28, 2022
Housing and Community Development Director Alexis Steger is recommending City
Council approve the resolution and authorize the Mayor to designate the City Manager
or Housing and Community Development Department to submit a grant on behalf of the
City to the United States Department of Agriculture that funds up to $300,000 over 12-
36 months for Planning or Implementation projects that are designed to improve access
to local foods in areas where access to fresh, healthy food is limited or unavailable
through urban and/or innovative agricultural practices.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Alexis Steger, Housing and Community Development Director
Maddy Haverland, Community Development Specialist
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Alexis M. Steger, Housing and Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Intent to Apply for USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative
Production Grant
DATE: July 26, 2022
Introduction
The Housing & Community Development Department intends to apply for a grant
opportunity through the United States Department of Agriculture that funds up to
$300,000 over 12-36 months for Planning or Implementation projects that are designed
to improve access to local foods in areas where access to fresh, healthy food is limited
or unavailable through urban and/or innovative agricultural practices. Applicants are
encouraged to align their project proposals to address priorities on environmental
justice, racial equity, climate, investment in disadvantaged communities and climate
smart agricultural practices.
Background
The Housing and Community Development Department has been working with a group
of community stakeholders (Steering Committee) to increase equitable food access
through hydroponics and creative uses of urban agriculture. The FY23 Community
Development Block Grant has $96,176 allocated to this project.
Community partners include representatives from: ReEvolution Farms, Convivium
Urban Farmstead, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Dubuque County Food Policy
Council, Dubuque Rescue Mission Garden, Project Rooted, HomeFresh Meals, Wicked
River Events, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, and more.
The 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan identifies food access in food deserts as a priority to
be addressed. The Steering Committee includes representatives from organizations that
include food producers and distributors, and we have identified a five-part approach to
address food access in the Dubuque community.
The USDA grant would provide funding for a greenhouse and NFT hydroponic system,
which would serve as a proof-of-concept for emerging food production technology as we
scale the food access project. Fellowships for low/moderate income individuals to
explore and have hands-on learning of urban agricultural systems will also be funded.
This experience equips them to explore careers in agriculture, as well as contribute to
local food production and distribution.
Anticipated Amount: $300,000
Match Required: No
Application Due Date: 8/2/2022
Anticipated Notification Date: 9/30/2022
Anticipated Receipt of Funding: 1/31/2023
Departments Involved: Housing and Community Development, Sustainability
Recommendation
I respectfully request the City Council approve the Resolution and authorize the Mayor
to designate the City Manager or Housing and Community Development Department to
submit the grant on behalf of the City.
Prepared by: Maddy Haverland, Community Development Specialist
Prepared by Maddy Haverland, Housing&Community Devel., 350 W. 6th St., Suite 312,Telephone:(563)690-6072
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563)589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 261-22
RESOLUTION FOR APPLICATION FOR USDA OFFICE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE
AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION GRANT
Whereas, the City of Dubuque Housing and Community Development
Department is convening community stakeholders around food access, production, and
distribution to low/mod-income households; and
Whereas, the United States Department of Agriculture is accepting applications
for the Fiscal Year 2022 Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive
Grants Program; and
Whereas, the Housing and Community Development Department intends to
submit an application for implementing emerging food production technologies and
developing fellowships for low/moderate income individuals for hands-on learning of
these systems.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the Housing and Community Development Department be
authorized to apply for the above-described grant opportunity.
Section 2. That the Mayor of the City of Dubuque is hereby authorized and
directed to designate the City Manager or the Housing and Community Development
Department Director to execute the application documents on behalf of the City of
Dubuque, Iowa.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 1st day of August 2022.
Attest Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor'-- r--n"-D_C23Z)_.!)(9-7
Trish L. Gleason, Assistant City Clerk