Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens nets award

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) and American Public Gardens Association (Association) are awarding support to 26 public gardens and their community partners engaging in urban agriculture, food-growing, and related education work. The 26 awards total $445,600 in support for public garden partnerships across the U.S. that will foster public engagement and education in urban food growing and build capacity in urban agriculture programs. The Urban Agriculture Resilience Program aims to strengthen collaborations, promote resilience, and gather best practices from across the U.S.

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is one of the 2024 recipients, in support of its programming surrounding the farm garden.

A press release stated, “The Farm Garden proudly provides over 13,000 servings annually of fresh produce to Gerard Place located in east Buffalo. Over 30% of Buffalo’s population faces food insecurity, and record food inflation is affecting everyone. In response to this, food access concerns expressed by the community – and with the support of generous donors – the Botanical Gardens has doubled their food-producing growing space into a large-scale farm garden to support Gerard Place's Community Kitchen and outreach programs.”

It continued, “The funds from this award will help programs in 26 states and Washington, D.C., integrate urban food growing and urban agriculture education while addressing food security challenges in their communities. The program seeks to leverage the strength of public gardens working with partners in their communities, ranging from schools, universities and urban farms to food pantries, community gardens, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. This year, the program especially sought to support collaborations involving smaller public gardens, as well as organizations demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.

“Over the UARP’s previous four years, the program has awarded $1.57 million to 80 collaborations in 30 states and D.C. These programs have grown and shared over 690,000 pounds of produce, distributed more than 260,000 seedlings, and provided more than 46,000 hours of urban agriculture training to students, interns, and trainees.”

USBG Executive Director Dr. Susan Pell said, “The collaborations supported through this year’s Urban Agriculture Resilience Program demonstrate many creative ways that urban agriculture can connect people and plants through food. We are thrilled to embark on a fifth year of supporting such vital urban food-growing programs across the country and to expand the existing Urban Agriculture Resilience Program community with these 26 new projects.”

The Urban Agriculture Resilience Program began in 2020 as a way for the USBG and the association to support and expand urban agriculture and food-growing programs at public gardens. Learn more about previous awardees at www.USBG.gov/UrbanAg.

About the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens welcomes the public to enjoy its living plant collections and conservatory. Designed by Lord & Burnham, its historic conservatory – modeled after rare glasshouses in London, England – opened in 1900. Located within a park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1800s, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is situated on 12 acres that also feature an accredited arboretum and outdoor gardens. The campus is owned by Erie County and operated by the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization supported in part by public funds from the County of Erie; the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; members, donors and friends.

More About United States Botanic Garden

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the U.S., established by Congress in 1820. The U.S. Botanic Garden inspires people to appreciate, study and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally. With over a million visitors annually, the USBG strives to demonstrate and promote sustainable practices. It is a living plant museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Visit www.USBG.gov.

More About American Public Gardens Association

The American Public Gardens Association is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture. It advances the field by encouraging best practices, offering educational and networking opportunities, and advocating on behalf of members, programs and public gardens worldwide. Its members include more than 600 institutions, spanning 49 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and 20 countries. Members include, but are not limited to, botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, museums, colleges and universities, display gardens, and research facilities. Visit www.publicgardens.org.