$1.4 Million Available In Grants For Gardens, Farmland In This Bay Area County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — About $1.4 million in local tax revenue has provided funding for grants that organizations can apply for through the program called Food, Agriculture, and Resilient Ecosystems.

Online submissions are accepted through Sept. 12 through Submittable.com.

The 2025 grants will prioritize projects and programs that enhance food systems, promote climate-beneficial management, and increase natural resource values on Marin's working lands. Special consideration will be given to programs that benefit populations traditionally experiencing inequity with food security and health.

The first round of FARE grants in 2024 included:

• Fibershed's collaboration with tribal communities to plant 1,800 flood sedges for traditional basketry with local students
• The North Bay Children's Center creation of new educational garden facilities
• Kitchen Table Advisors building land lease pipelines to connect underserved specialty crop growers with agricultural landowners

Marin County Parks learned about the effectiveness of community-led solutions, such as restoration and improvements to school food systems, through last year's FARE grantees, according to program coordinator Rachel Lane.

“For Round 2, we’ve streamlined the application process, added a new community and school gardens grant category, and expanded support services including permitting assistance and garden strike crews,” she said

Funding applicants must be public agencies, special districts, joint powers authorities, educational institutions, Native American tribes, federally recognized nonprofits, or fiscally sponsored projects of an eligible organization and use funds within Marin County.

FARE stems from the 2022 passage of Measure A, Marin County's quarter-cent sales tax for parks, open space, and sustainable agriculture. A portion of Measure A funds must support sustainable food systems. Through Measure A, voters approved a competitive grant program for high-priority areas. FARE's Measure A funding is projected to be $7.2 million, or $800,000 annually, until 2030.