City of Dallas Launches Pilot Program for Growers Education and Workforce Development

Dallas, TX - The City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability's (OEQS) Urban Agriculture Division is excited to announce a new partnership with Dallas County Health and Human Services to launch the Growers Education and Workforce Development Program. This innovative pilot program will allocate approximately $50,000 in funding to enhance agricultural education and workforce development in Dallas.

The program aims to support agricultural internships and apprenticeships across various production sites in the city, including controlled environment agriculture and community gardens. Its primary goal is to educate and prepare aspiring growers, farmworkers, and producers for careers in agribusiness. By doing so, it seeks to improve access to nutritious food in underserved areas of the City of Dallas while boosting the local economy and supporting the livelihoods of agricultural producers.

The Growers Education and Workforce Development Programwill offer hands-on mentorship and training in urban agriculture and essential business concepts. Participants will gain valuable skills at no financial cost to them, empowering them to thrive in the agricultural sector.

This initiative aligns with the work of the Urban Agriculture Division of OEQS and is a key component of the Comprehensive Urban Agriculture Plan (CUAP), which supports the City's Comprehensive Environmental Climate Action Plan (CECAP)and Goal 7: Ensuring all Dallas communities have access to healthy food.

Application Period:

Opens: November 1, 2024

Closes: December 2, 2024, at midnight

Eligible potential mentees can apply to the program by completing the online application form here.

For inquiries, please contact Rabekha Siebert at [email protected].

About the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability

The City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability is dedicated to fostering a sustainable urban environment, promoting public health, and enhancing the quality of life for all Dallas residents through innovative programs and community engagement.