WE ARE EXCITED TO PRESENT THE SOILDARITY MICRO-GRANT
NOS EMOCIONA EN PRESENTAR EL PROGRAMA DE MICRO-BECAS ‘SUELORIDAD’
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Deadline to apply: December 5th, 2025 (Friday) 11:59pm PST
CRECE Urban Farms is distributing $25,000 in micro grants for urban agriculture businesses / entrepreneurs in Orange County and neighboring communities. In collaboration with Jobs First California Initiative, we have the opportunity to support urban farmers, land stewards, and other food entrepreneurs in the farm to table food supply chain. This SOILadarity Mini-Grant aims to honor the wealth of agri-Cultural knowledge and ingenuity already present in immigrant, Black, Indigenous communities in our region and plant the seed for Orange County Food Systems Alliance that centers marginalized voices of workers in the food supply chain.
Through these mini grants, CRECE hopes to support businesses helping build a just food system in Orange County and neighboring areas. If selected, you will receive between $1000 to $5000 to support your emerging or established self-sustaining business or project. To submit application, please click on the link at the top or bottom of this page.
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Who can apply?
We invite aspiring and active land-workers, urban gardeners, farmers, bee-keepers, composters, herbalists, greenhouse workers, cooks, chefs, bakers, and others owning / co-owning food business projects are encouraged to apply. If the project has more than one owner, the applicant has the responsibility to inform and get consent from their team to apply as needed. The project can be at any phase of development.
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What can the funds be used for?
Some examples include start-up costs, business operations including salaries, improvements on the land to support production, business equipment (ie. farm tractor, refrigeration, greenhouse, soil amendments, etc.), professional development including consulting services for business planning, marketing, website development, social media coaching, and more.
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Eligibility Criteria
— Priority will be given to Orange County business projects but we will also consider applicants from neighboring regions including Riverside County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County.
—You have an active food business or agricultural project for over a year and seek to be economically self-sustaining.
— You identify as a frontline community including low income, working class, queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, immigrant, or other communities of color
— Your application was fully completed, including an attached budget or emailed budget, before the deadline (outlined in the timeline below)
— Your project can be completed within 12 months upon receiving award
— You will submit receipts for any purchases and contribute to reporting needs (ie. through photographs or testimony) Priority will be given to Orange County business projects but we will also consider applicants from neighboring regions including Riverside County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County.
— You have an active food business or agricultural project for over a year and seek to be economically self-sustaining.
— You identify as a frontline community including low income, working class, queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, immigrant, or other communities of color
— Your application was fully completed, including an attached budget or emailed budget, before the deadline (outlined in the timeline below)
— Your project can be completed within 12 months upon receiving award
— You will submit receipts for any purchases and contribute to reporting needs (ie. through photographs or testimony)
— Restore local environment through sustainable farming practices
— Create a regenerative economy benefiting Santa Ana and Orange County
— Build a resilient community food system supporting local families
— Implement urban farming techniques that maximize limited space
— Foster community engagement and education around food justice
— Collaborate with local organizations to enhance environmental impact
— Promote biodiversity by cultivating native and heirloom plant varieties
— Develop job training programs in urban agriculture and green industries
— Reduce food miles by supplying fresh produce directly to local markets
— Encourage soil health through organic and permaculture principles
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Important Dates
Mini grant application opens on November 6th, 2025
Public Info Webinar about Soil-darity Mini Grant on November 18th. SEE BELOW FOR INFO ON HOW TO REGISTER.
Deadline to apply for Soil-darity Mini Grant is December 5th, 2025 (Friday)
Everyone will be informed on application status by December 22nd, 2025 (Monday)
Orientation and paperwork needs will be facilitated in January 2026
Project implementation will take place from February through November 2026
Report Due: December 15, 2026
REGISTER FOR A VIRTUAL INFO SESSION
NOVEMBER 18, 12 - 1 PM
The information Session will cover key elements in applying for the SOILdarity Micro-Grant including eligibility criteria, timeline, and other considerations. The session will take place via Zoom and will include simultaneous interpretation for mono-lingual Spanish- and English-speakers. More importantly, space will be created to answer any questions you may.
Can’t Make the Session? Register anyway so we can send you the video after the session.