Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to announce it has received funding to continue their urban agriculture program via a $38,000 Clean Water Indiana Grant through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
The Urban Agriculture program was started in 2016 and supported through 2017 with grants from the National Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Legacy Fund – a Central Indiana Community Foundation affiliate. The program builds on the success of the urban conservation program and supports backyard and community gardens across Hamilton County. Technical assistance is provided to help county residents start new vegetable and fruit gardens and improve their existing gardens. Comprehensive education and outreach programs are focused on alleviating food insecurity in the county and connecting residents with local food. Donations of fresh vegetables to local food pantries are supported by pairing businesses, community gardens and service organizations with food pantries. The Hamilton County Garden Network was created to support and connect the growing number of community gardens across the county.
“The urban agriculture program has really developed and gained steam over the last year and a half and this grant will help us keep moving forward and continue providing valuable assistance to Hamilton County residents,” said Claire Lane, Urban Conservationist.
More information about the services provided by the Soil and Water Conservation District, including info on the Urban Agriculture program and Hamilton County Garden Network can be found online at hamiltonswcd.org. Request a free on-site urban agriculture or urban conservation site visit by calling 317-773-2181.
The Clean Water Indiana program is administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and provides grants for conservation projects and capacity building through Indiana’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts. More information is available at in.gov/isda/2379.