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Urban Agriculture - Missouri

Are you farming or gardening in a city or suburb? Urban agriculture provides critical access to healthy food for local communities, as well as jobs, increased green spaces, and closer community ties. 

Urban agriculture pioneers are taking action in their communities. As American agriculture continues to grow in new directions, NRCS conservation assistance in Missouri is growing along with it.

Urban agriculture includes the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban and suburban areas. Community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic and aquaponic facilities, and vertical production, are all examples of urban agriculture. Tribal communities and small towns may also be included. 

Assistance for Urban Farmers

NRCS offers technical and financial assistance with conservation practices, including:

Through free technical assistance, NRCS can help you identify your goals and develop a conservation plan.  

Contact the NRCS at your local Service Center to learn more. If you need information in a language other than English, we offer free translation services at our Service Centers. 

People's Garden

USDA renewed the People’s Garden movement in 2022 to:

  • Celebrate communities growing fresh, healthy food
  • Support a resilient, local food system
  • Teach people how to garden using sustainable practices
  • Nurture habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and greenspace for neighbors

These gardens incorporate sustainable practices, many of which are rooted in conservation practices that NRCS helps farmers and ranchers with across the country. For example, read more on soil health and the importance of pollinators.

People’s Gardens grow fresh, healthy food and support a resilient, local food system; teach people how to garden using sustainable practices; and nurture habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and greenspace for neighbors to gather and enjoy. People’s Gardens all:

  • Benefit the community by providing food, beautification, arts, wildlife habitat, education, green space, tree canopy, recreation, volunteer opportunities.
  • Are a collaborative effort involving neighbors, co-workers, food pantries, master gardeners, conservation districts, USDA agencies, veterans, youth organizations, seniors, faith-based groups, or others.
  • Incorporate sustainable practices such as rain barrels or micro-irrigation, composting, cover crops, pest management, bat houses or insect hotels, and/or native plants.
  • Educate the public about sustainable practices and the benefit of local food systems through signage, classes, events, outreach materials, websites, and youth field trips.

Find People's Gardens in Missouri and across the country and learn how to register as a People's Garden by clicking Watch the People’s Gardens Grow!

UrbanAgMONRCS@usda.gov