The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded Springfield Community Gardens a Cooperative Agreement valued at $1,228,950 on March 1, 2026, under the Regional Food System Partnerships program (CFDA 10.177).
Springfield Community Gardens, a non-profit organization based in Greene County, Missouri, will execute a regional food systems partnership project through February 28, 2029, with place of performance in Missouri. The organization specializes in agricultural education, food safety training, and community development serving underserved, immigrant, and socially disadvantaged farming populations across urban and rural areas. The award supports the partnership's work to connect public and private resources, plan and develop local or regional food systems, and build food economy viability and resilience. The partnership will set priorities collaboratively, connect resources and services across sectors, and establish sustainable, measurable pathways toward shared food systems goals.
Springfield Community Gardens has secured prior USDA awards from the National Resources Conservation Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and other civilian agencies, supporting initiatives such as food safety training for immigrant farmer populations, youth agricultural education, and regenerative agriculture programs. The organization collaborates with Missouri State University, University of Missouri Extension, and other institutional and veteran-focused partners on agricultural capacity building and community outreach.