In collaboration with the City of Detroit’s Office of Sustainability Urban Agriculture Division, Eastern Market has made available $225,000 in total grant funding for Detroit-based farmers and farmer collectives serving the broader public.
The funding aims to advance food access, environmental education, climate resilience, and sustainable land use while expanding sales opportunities for local growers. The funds will be awarded through a Request for Proposal process now open through October 30th and will grant three collectives $50,000 each and five individual farmers $15,000 each.
Grants prioritize Black- and Indigenous-led farms, youth-led projects, and initiatives rooted in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Awards will support programming that directly serves the public through education, engagement, and demonstration, supporting Detroiters’ access to fresh, healthy food and knowledge of sustainable farming practices. Eligible projects include educational workshops, farm tours, composting programs, soil health education, food safety trainings, cooking demonstrations, youth programming, and more.
This initiative also supports Eastern Market’s broader strategy to grow opportunities for Detroit farmers. In recent years, the Market has expanded programming for small-scale urban growers, including dedicated vending space at Saturday Markets, participation in LFPA food box purchasing, and expanded cold storage and distribution space at Shed 7, a wholesale facility set to open in Spring 2026.
Grants will be announced in November and awarded for work starting in December.
Proposals can be submitted to City of Detroit Office of Sustainability Urban Agriculture Division: Patrice Brown,
Patrice.brown@detroitmi.gov and Eastern Market: Katy Trudeau, ktrudeau@easternmarket.org