(NAFB.com) – The USDA is providing a total of $14.4 million in grants and technical assistance through two separately funded projects to support urban agriculture and innovative production. The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production is making $2.5 million available in grants, while the Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing $11.9 million. “This grant program continues growing in popularity, and we look forward to partnering with more communities nationwide to strengthen local food systems and increase access to healthy foods,” says Louis Aspey, Acting Chief of the NRCS. “We’re also excited for this opportunity to add experienced Urban Agriculture Conservation Extension Educators to enhance our customer service through partnership with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. NIFA  issued a release saying the agency is looking forward to partnering with NRCS and land-grant universities to increase the footprint of Cooperative Extension in dedicated Urban Service Center sites across the country.