Now in its fourth year, the Mahindra Urban Agriculture Grant Program has disbursed $127,000 in funding and equipment to eight southeast Michigan non-profits in support of sustainable farming and gardening.
“Mahindra is committed to empowering and celebrating the communities in which we operate,” said Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group. “There are few better examples of our RISE philosophy in action than the work of MANA’s pioneering Urban Agriculture Grant Program which continues to empower Detroit residents by giving them access to fresh, sustainable produce and inspiring work opportunities for the underserved.”
This year’s recipients and projects include:
- American Indian Health and Family Services, Inc. ($10,000): to create the Sacred Roots garden at Romanowski Park in SW Detroit, where individuals may cultivate crops indigenous to their native cultures.
- Boggs Education Center ($10,000): to rejuvenate the urban gardens surrounding Boggs School and create a mobile food stand to take fresh produce to area residents.
- Eastern Market Corporation ($25,500): to purchase two Mahindra utility vehicles to support operations, including the weekly farmers’ markets that showcase locally grown produce.
- Full Circle Foundation ($8,784): to fund a summer intern employment program for special needs teens and young adults.
- The Greening of Detroit ($20,000): to support food production and operations at Lafayette Greens.
- Keep Growing Detroit ($20,000): to assist in the relocation of the group’s garden and other programs to a new site.
- Micah 6 Community ($8,144): to convert nine vacant lots into a fruit orchard and public garden spaces.
- Pingree Farms ($25,000): to install the Mahindra Agriscience Learning Center to support educational programs.
