Acceptance of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production GrantCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 010.
Copyrighted
May 15, 2023
ITEM TITLE: Acceptance of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office
of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approve the resolution and
authorize the Mayor to designate the City Manager or Housing and
Community Development Department to execute grant documents on
behalf of the city for the USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture and
Innovation Production Grant.
RESOLUTION Accepting USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and
Innovative Production Grant
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
USDA Grant - Staff Memo Staff Memo
USDA Grant - Resolution Resolutions
USDA Grant Agreement Supporting Documentation
THE CITY
DUOF
B TEE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Acceptance of USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative
Production Grant
DATE: May 9, 2023
Dubuque
All -America City
IN
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
The Housing & Community Development Department submitted an Application in
August 2022 for a grant opportunity through the United States Department of Agriculture
that funds up to $300,000 over 24 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.
The City of Dubuque was notified in October 2022 that our grant proposal, "Hydroponics
to Home: Using Innovative Urban Agriculture to Educate and Feed the Community" was
selected as a recipient. On May 2, 2023, the grant agreement was finalized by the
USDA and sent to the City. The grant agreement will begin when it has been signed by
the City and USDA and will run through April 30, 2025.
Housing & 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 execute grant documents on
behalf of the City.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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, Urban Development and Housing Rehabilitation Project
Manager
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
AII•Americs city
DUB E i nx
2007�2012�2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Alexis M. Steger, Housing and Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Acceptance of USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative
Production Grant
DATE: May 5, 2023
Introduction
The Housing & Community Development Department submitted an Application in
August 2022 for a grant opportunity through the United States Department of Agriculture
that funds up to $300,000 over 24 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 were 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 had $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, Iowa State University Extension, the Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque, and more.
The City of Dubuque was notified in October 2022 that our grant proposal, "Hydroponics
to Home: Using Innovative Urban Agriculture to Educate and Feed the Community" was
selected as a recipient. This grant provides funding for a greenhouse and NFT
hydroponic system, which would serve as a proof -of -concept for emerging food
production technology as we scale food access efforts collectively as a community.
Fellowships for low/moderate income individuals to explore and have hands-on learning
of urban agricultural systems have also been funded. This experience equips them to
explore careers in agriculture, as well as contribute to local food production and
distribution.
On May 2, 2023, the grant agreement was finalized by the USDA and sent to the City.
The grant agreement will begin when it has been signed by the City and USDA and will
run through April 30, 2025.
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
execute grant documents on behalf of the City.
cc: Gina Bell
Prepared by: Maddy Haverland, Urban Development and Housing Rehabilitation
Project Manager
Prepared by Maddy Haverland Housinq & Community Devel., 350 W. 6`h St., Suite 312 Telephone: 563 690-6072
Return to Adrienne N. Bre€tfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 148-23
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING 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 City of Dubuque applied for and received a United States
Department of Agriculture Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive
Grants in the amount of $300,000, with a term until April 30, 2025; and
Whereas, the Housing and Community Development Department intends to
implement a project for 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 grant agreement with the USDA is accepted.
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 grant documents on behalf of the City of Dubuque,
Iowa.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 15th day of May 2023.
Attest 9rad M. q2yaria6h, Mayor
Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
Page 1 of 7
NRCS-ADS-093
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
NOTICE OF GRANT AND AGREEMENT AWARD
1. Award Identifying Number
NR233A750005G044
2. Amendment Number 3. Award /Project Period
Upon final signature - 04/30/2025
4. Type of award instrument:
Grant Agreement
5. Agency (Name and Address)
USDA NRCS, Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production
c/o FPAC-BC Grants and Agreements Division
1400 Independence Ave SW, Room 3236
Washington, DC 20250
Direct all correspondence to FPAC.BC.GAD@usda.gov
6. Recipient Organization (Name and Address)
CITY OF DUBUQUE HOUSING DIVISION
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT
DUBUQUE IA 52001-4648
UEI Number / DUNS Number: F8K7QWQ51936 / 148218832
EIN:
7. NRCS Program Contact
Name: SHARONTE WILLIAMS
Phone: (202) 981-1653
Email: Sharonte.
williams@usda.gov
8. NRCS Administrative
Contact
Name: Melanie Krizmanich
Phone: (202) 572-5805
Email: melanie.
krizmanich@usda.gov
9. Recipient Program
Contact
Name: Maddy Haverland
Phone: (563) 690-6102
Email:
mhaverla@cityofdubuque.org
10. Recipient Administrative
Contact
Name: Lisa Barton
Phone: (563) 690-6092
Email: lbarton@cityofdubuque.
org
11. CFDA
10.935
12. Authority
7 USC 6923
13. Type of Action
New Agreement
14. Program Director
Name: Maddy Haverland
Phone: (563) 690-6102
Email:
mhaverla@cityofdubuque.org
15. Project Title/ Description: Hydroponics to Home: Using Innovative Urban Agriculture to Educate and Feed the Community in
Dubuque, Iowa
16. Entity Type: C = City or township Government
17. Select Funding Type
Select funding type:Federal Non-Federal
Original funds total $300,000.00 $0.00
Additional funds total $0.00 $0.00
Grand total $300,000.00 $0.00
18. Approved Budget
Page 3 of 7
Statement of Work
The purpose of this agreement, between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) and City of Dubuque (Recipient), is an Implementation Project entitled Hydroponics to Home: Using Innovative
Urban Agriculture to Educate and Feed the Community will:
1) The population of Dubuque, Iowa increased 3.9% over the last 10 years. Bordered to the east by the Mississippi
River, the metropolitan area has expanded north, west, and south from its center, converting farmland into residential
and commercial property. With this population growth and urbanization, it has become necessary to expand our
community’s efforts towards sustainable urban farming and begin exploring emerging food technologies. Concurrently,
there is a need for fostering and training the next generation of urban farmers and food entrepreneurs.
2) Build on the work the City of Dubuque has already done by bridging the gap between local food production and
getting that food into the bellies of our low/moderate-income residents, while providing education and training to future
food entrepreneurs. Our three-fold approach is: to expand the work of our existing urban farms; to provide community
education about food entrepreneurship opportunities and benefits of sustainable local food production; and to support
the introduction of healthy and local foods in our existing corner stores.
3) By adding a greenhouse and NFT Hydroponics system to a local urban farmstead, educational opportunities for all
ages will be created, as well as hundreds of pounds of fresh produce grown and fed to the community year-round. A
Food Entrepreneur Fellowship Program will be established to give community members hands-on experience with food
production and distribution.
4) Directly supports the purpose of UAIP grants by improving access to local, fresh, healthy foods by supporting urban
farming and innovative growing methodologies like hydroponics. It also promotes interest in urban agriculture by
emphasizing education for all ages and giving hands-on experience to aspiring food entrepreneurs.
Purpose
Objective 1: Pilot a commercial hydroponic growing system in Dubuque for year-round production and education
Objective 2: Create a Food Entrepreneur Fellowship Program to educate, mentor, and upskill low to moderate-income
individuals interested in starting food-related businesses
Objective 3: Increase the availability of healthy, locally grown food options in food deserts and low/moderate-income
neighborhoods.
Objective 4: Increase educational opportunities for K-12 youth around urban agriculture with an emphasis on the
importance of producing and consuming locally grown foods
Objectives
The official budget described in this Budget Narrative will be considered the total budget as last approved by the Federal
awarding agency for this award.
Amounts included in this budget narrative are estimates. Reimbursement or advance liquidations will be based on actual
expenditures, not to exceed the amount obligated.
TOTAL FEDERAL FUNDS: $300,000
PERSONNEL: $5,616
• Urban Development and Housing Rehabilitation Project Manage/Co-Director. $39 @ 4 hrs/mth for 24 months =
$3,744
Responsible for grant management, correspondence with Federal offices, preparing environmental reviews, reporting,
financial management, and coordination of Project Manager.
• Sustainability Coordinator – Project Co-Director. $39 @ 2 hrs/mth for 24 months = $1,872
Responsible for technical guidance and oversight of the Fellowship Program, assists Project Manager with documenting
outcomes and alignment with City goals for the Climate Action Plan and Equitable Poverty and Prevention Plan.
FRINGE BENEFITS: ($5,616 @ 25%) = $1,404
Budget Narrative
Page 4 of 7
TRAVEL: $0
EQUIPMENT: $0
SUPPLIES $0
CONTRACTUAL $ 77,400.00
• Candace Eudaley-Loebach, The Lovely City LLC – Project Management. Responsible for coordinating the day-to-
day aspects of the project, facilitating partnerships, maintaining timeliness with project goals and objectives, and data
collection and analysis. 360 hours per year x 2 years @ $75.00 = $54,000
• Vacant, Convivium Urban Farmstead – Education Coordinator. Responsible for hands-on training, guidance, and
mentoring participants in the Urban Agriculture Fellowship Program. 10 hours/week for 18 months @ $30.00 = $23,400
CONSTRUCTION $0
OTHER $ 27,000.00
• Stipends for Food Entrepreneur Fellowship Program Participants. These stipends are to attract and retain motivated
individuals to apply for this fellowship opportunity, while also compensating them for the time that they contribute to the
community. 40 hours/month x 3 Fellows x 18 months x $500.00/mo = $27,000
• Subaward to ReEvolution - Funds for equipment will be sub-awarded to ReEvolution Farmstead to after
environmental clearance is achieved for the project. ReEvolution already owns the land that the greenhouse and NFT
system would be on, so the subrecipient agreement would be for the purchase of these capital assets.
o $135,080 - The base kit for a 30’x97’ greenhouse with a 10’ eave and 16’ peak is $165,720 for the desired
Ceres HighYield product. The grant would cover $135,080 of these costs and the ReEvolution will provide the additional
funding for the greenhouse kit. Safeguarding for the greenhouse will include locked doors and a gate to access the
property where it will be located. Maintenance will be done as necessary on a regular basis, as this structure is
paramount to the success of the hydroponic growing. Owner will do daily system check to verify inventory.
o $53,500 - The NFT Hydroponic System is comprised of 2 tables and includes growing channels, table frames,
manifolds and collectors, feed and return plumbing, pumps and main 1,200-gallon reservoir. Safeguarding for this
system will include being behind the locked doors of the greenhouse located on a gated property. Maintenance will be
done daily on the system to ensure the health and viability of the plants. Owner will do daily system check to verify
inventory.
TOTAL DIRECT COSTS: $ 300,000
INDIRECT COSTS: $0.0
Recipient has elected to voluntarily waive indirect costs.
TOTAL FEDERAL FUNDS: $300,000
If inconsistencies arise between the language in this Statement of Work (SOW) and the General Terms and Conditions
attached to the agreement, the language in this SOW takes precedence.
NRCS RESPONSIBILITIES:
1) Coordinate with the Program Director the technical assistance necessary to complete deliverables.
2) Review all pre-published draft material developed to ensure it complies with USDA visual standards and
regulations.
3) Conduct ad-doc meetings (via electronic, phone or in-person field visit) to discuss the progress of the agreement.
4) OUAIP reserves the right to make site visits to review and evaluate Awardee records, activities, organizational
procedures, and financial control systems; to conduct interviews; to request additional information; and to provide
technical assistance as necessary
RECIPIENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
1) Follow methodology and evaluation plan established in the project narrative and inform the Program Manager any
changes.
2) Work collaboratively with ReEvolution Farms, Convivium Urban Farmstead, The Lovely City, LLC, Dubuque
Community School District, Urban Development and Housing Rehabilitation Project, The City of Dubuque’s Sustainability
Coordinator
3) Enter into an agreement with ReEvolution Farms regarding use and access to the local farmstead, specifically the
greenhouse and NFT Hydroponics system, during the period of the grant including any extensions of time as applicable.
The agreement also must impose the regulations set forth in 2 CFR 200 (i.e., 2 CFR 200.310 through 200.316 Real
Property).
4) Enter into an agreement with Convivium Urban Farmstead regarding use and access to the farm, kitchen and food
preservation facilities during the period of the grant [change award instrument as necessary] including any extensions of
Responsibilities of the Parties:
Page 5 of 7
time as applicable
5) Review available material from the USDA in regard of the USDA general style and message layouts and follow the
USDA civil right policy in accordance with USDA Departmental Regulation 4300-3, Equal Opportunity (EO) Public
Notification Policy, and Section 7, in which all will comply with the usage of the USDA Non-discrimination Statement.
6) Perform the work and produce the deliverables as outlined in this Statement of Work.
7) Identify actual or potential funding sources for continuation of the project after Federal funding has ended.
8) Conduct all activities and program provision under this agreement in compliance with all applicable federal civil right
laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
9) Ensure no member of or delegate to Congress or Resident Commissioner shall be admitted to any share or part of
this agreement or to any benefit that may arise there from.
10) Nothing contained may be construed to require establishment of a system of records to render in good faith the
assurances and certifications required. Your knowledge and information is not required to exceed that which is normally
possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.
11) Comply with the applicable version of the General Terms and Conditions.
12) Submit reports and payment requests to the ezFedGrants system or the Farm Production and Conservation
(FPAC) Grants and Agreements Division via email to FPAC.BC.GAD@usda.gov as outlined in the applicable version of
the General Terms and Conditions. Limit advance payment requests to immediate cash needs (30 days). Reporting
frequency is as follows:
• Performance reports: annual
• SF425 Financial Reports: annual. If advance payments are requested, the financial report frequency is quarterly.
Objective 1:
- Partner with ReEvolution Farms to procure and construct 30x97 green house and NFT Hydroponic system to fit the
greenhouse immediately after receipt of funds and environmental clearances.
- Begin production of greens and herbs upon completion of the greenhouse.
- Provide 10 educational tours of greenhouse and NFT system per year to schools, interest groups, and community
members.
Outcomes:
- Within a 24-month period, over 200 people will have toured the hydroponic greenhouse and increased their
knowledge about this growing methodology.
- By January 2025, we will have local data on the viability and outputs of a greenhouse hydroponic system in
Dubuque’s climate, for reference on scaling and expanding similar efforts.
.
Objective 2:
- By Spring 2023, select three individuals for a 12-month fellowship.
- Train and mentor fellows onsite at Convivium Urban Farmstead during the growing and harvesting seasons of soil-
dependent crops.
- Train and mentor fellows onsite at ReEvolution Farms during the late autumn and winter months with hydroponic
growing system.
- Train and mentor fellows on-site at one of the participating corner stores or other retail food partners with business
development, profitability, vendor relationships, and point of sale systems.
- Provide a stipend of $500 per month to each fellow for their work and training.
Outcomes:
- Three low/mod-income individuals will receive education and skills to successfully enter the urban agriculture, value-
added food production, or retail food business field, while being compensated for their time.
- Local organizations will receive assistance from the fellows during their fellowship period.
Objective 3:
- Upon receipt of funding, hire contractor (The Lovely City, LLC) on a 24-month contract to broker relationships and
manage project by bridging gaps between production and distribution in the city.
- By Spring 2024, Dubuque will have replicated the Philadelphia Healthy Corner Store Initiative with at least three
participating corner stores in food deserts having reached Phase 2 of the program. A diagram of program phases is
included in Appendix A.
Outcomes:
- Healthy, locally produced foods are available in food deserts.
- By January 2025, the local network of food producers and providers will have a central point-of-communication to
share resources and request needs.
Expected Accomplishments and Deliverables
Page 6 of 7
Objective 4:
- By Fall 2023, facilitate partnership with the Dubuque Community Schools to include a field trip to classes learning
about earth sciences and food production to ReEvolution Farms and/or Convivium Urban Farmstead.
- Host at least two “Teacher Education” events at ReEvolution Farms for educators to attend and learn more about
hydroponics systems to assess viability for replicating a similar system in classrooms.
Outcomes:
- Over 200 students will tour the greenhouse and hydroponic system and Convivium to learn about urban agriculture.
- By January 2025, 30 educators will receive information and training on the science and benefits of hydroponics
systems.
See the Responsibilities of the Parties section for required resources, if applicable.
Resources Required
See the Expected Accomplishments and Deliverables section for milestones.
Milestones
Page 7 of 7
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please reference the below link(s) for the General Terms and Conditions pertaining to this award:
https://www.fpacbc.usda.gov/about/grants-and-agreements/award-terms-and-conditions/index.html