Limited Resource, Small-Scale, and Urban Agricultural Farming in Wisconsin.
NRCS serves all agriculture – large to small, conventional to organic, rural to urban. As American agriculture continues to grow in new directions, NRCS conservation assistance 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.
NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for small scale and urban growers in areas such as:
- Soil health
- Irrigation and water conservation
- Composting
- Wildlife/Pollinator habitat
Solutions for Small-Scale
No matter the size of your farm or ranch, NRCS offers assistance with conservation planning and installing practices that are specific to your natural resource needs and business goals. From simple management systems, such as planting cover crops, to complex structural practices, such as high tunnel systems or innovative irrigation devices, NRCS has a conservation solution for you.
NRCS Resource Webpages
Urban Agriculture
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.
Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers (“historically underserved producers”).
Learn MoreUrban Soils
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 81 percent of the nation’s population lives in urban areas. This fact alone is enough to justify the need to identify, describe, and map urban soils to modern standards.
Learn MoreAdditional Resources
Urban Growers - Farmers.gov
Are you gardening or farming in an urban environment? USDA has resources that can help you start and grow your operation.
Small-scale Producers - Farmers.gov
No matter the size of your operation or the crop being produced, our programs can help you start, grow, and protect your operation.
The USDA People’s Garden
The simple act of planting a garden can have big impacts -- from building a more diverse and resilient local food system to empowering communities to address issues like nutrition access and climate change.