Resources
Funding
Land, Buildings, Equipment and Other
Pennsylvania First Industries- Ag
US Small Business Administration 504 Loan Program
Farm Credit System- Network of Borrower Owned Lending Institutions
USDA Financial Resources for Organic Farmers
USDA Farm Service Agency Price Support Programs
Market Loss Assistance Payment Program
Coming Soon…technical assistance and legislative/regulatory resources!
Community Gardens – Urban Farms
A community garden in a place where individuals, community members, groups, and organizations can come together to garden. Community gardens come in all shapes, sizes, and locations. You can find community gardeners tending a communal gardening space or working on individual garden plots. They can be located in vacant lots, unused green spaces, schools, community parks, church property, neighborhood squares, or even an unused parking or paved area!
Garden plots can be in ground, raised beds, in containers, or any combination of those. They can be for growing produce, flowers and plants, encouraging pollinators, or all of the above. Some gardens are for growing food, some focus on mentoring and teaching, some help the community gather, rally, and become united.
Why garden?
Gardening has some significant and important benefits including:
- Produces nutritious food
- Reduces family food budgets
- Conserves resources
- Stimulates social interaction
- Encourages self-reliance
- Beautifies neighborhoods and preserves green space
- Creates opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy and education
Sources: The American Community Gardening Association and www.urbangardeninghelp.com
American Community Gardening Association
Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens