Application Open for City of Dubuque Innovation in Urban Agriculture Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program

Oct. 16, 2023

The City of Dubuque is accepting applications for the Innovation in Urban Agriculture Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program, a professional development opportunity for Dubuque residents interested in starting a food-based business.

The fellowship is a 12-month, paid program that includes access to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach courses, an 8-week entrepreneurship skills program, and hands-on learning at either CityGirl Farming, Convivium Urban Farmstead, or ReEvolution Farms. Four fellowships are available.

The fellowship program is open to individuals residing in the city limits and runs from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2024. Participants must commit to 40 hours per month of hands-on learning at their assigned site, virtual courses, and in-person training and development. Participants will receive $500 per month after their 40 hours are completed, for a total of $6,000 over the 12-month fellowship period. At the conclusion of the program, participants will be provided with an opportunity to showcase their business idea.

The deadline to apply is Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the fellowship committee and the top candidates will be invited to present a 5-minute pitch presentation in early December. Fellows selected for the program will be notified in mid-December 2023.

The fellowship application and additional information is available at www.cityofdubuque.org/h2hproject.

Background Information

The City’s Housing and Community Development Department has been working with a group of community stakeholders since December 2021 to identify solutions to equitable food access in the Dubuque community.

In July 2022, the City allocated over $96,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to continue bridging the gap between local food production and distribution to low- to moderate-income residents in Dubuque’s food deserts, while providing education and training to future food entrepreneurs.

In May 2023, the City received a $300,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UIAP) Implementation Project Grant for the Hydroponics to Home (H2H) Project, including the Innovation in Urban Agriculture Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program.

The goals of the two-year H2H Project are to expand the work of existing urban farms; to provide community education about food entrepreneurship opportunities and benefits of sustainable local food production; and to support the introduction of healthy and local foods in our existing corner stores. For additional information, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/h2hproject.
 

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MEDIA CONTACT
Maddy Haverland, Urban Development & Housing Rehabilitation Project Manager
mhaverla@cityofdubuque.org, 563-690-6102