A. The Department shall administer the provisions of the Urban Gardens Grant Act.
B. The State Board of Agriculture shall promulgate rules and adopt eligibility guidelines necessary to enforce and administer the Urban Gardens Grant Act, including an application process for grants. Entities that receive grants must be located in food deserts and serve residents of the community in which they are located. The applicants shall show that an awarded grant will expand and stimulate economic activity in the low income areas served, as well as provide increased opportunities for the citizens of those low income areas to obtain healthier food options.
C. One-time grants up to Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be provided to entities for the purchase of greenhouses and other materials to establish and operate an urban garden.
D. Entities eligible to apply for the grants are nonprofit community organizations, churches, or other nonprofit organizations.
E. The urban gardens shall grow healthy foods that are to be sold on site or at farmer’s markets, produce stands and retailers located within the same community.
Added by Laws 2017, c. 188, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2017.