Dallas is set to launch the Growers Education and Workforce Development program, intended to educate and prepare individuals for careers in agribusiness.
The pilot program is a joint initiative between the City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability’s (OEQS) Urban Agriculture Division and Dallas County Health and Human Services. Ultimately, the program aims to shake up urban agriculture and improve access to nutritious food in typically underserved parts of the City.
“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,” read a release on the City of Dallas website.
Upwards of 10 urban agriculture sites throughout Dallas County will partner with the program. At least 10 City residents will be selected to receive training in skills like food production and farmwork over a 12-week period.
According to the program’s details, “hands-on mentorship and training in urban agriculture and essential business concepts” will be provided. The program, supported by $50,000 in funding, will be offered to participants at no charge.
Last year, The Dallas Express reported that while urban agriculture was growing in the City, it continued to face regulatory hurdles. Dallas also lags behind some other major metro areas in the state.
In 2021, Dallas had 64 community gardens, while Austin and Houston boasted nearly double the number when adjusting for population size.
In March 2023, the Dallas City Council approved the Comprehensive Urban Agriculture Plan (CUAP), proposed by the OEQS and prepared by Agritecture Consulting. One of the plan’s targets is to increase urban garden acreage in Dallas by 20% by 2030, 50% by 2040, and 75% by 2050.
Growers Education and Workforce Development is accepting applications to become trainees until midnight on December 2, 2024.
Applications can be submitted here.