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APPLY FOR THE
DETROIT BLACK FARMER LAND FUND

DETROIT BLACK FARMER
LAND FUND APPLICATION 

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Applications will be available on Juneteenth 2025.​

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These funds were created to support those Black Americans who, due to intergenerational racism, have had limited access to capital and land as a result of enslavement, racial violence, racial discrimination and racialized poverty. 

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To support these Black Growers in the cities of Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck in purchasing land they are currently farming or plan to farm on. Funds may be used for land purchases with a clear plot plan. Funds may also be used for infrastructure projects and/or equipment needs on land already owned by the applicant. Funds will be dispensed directly to the seller with a signed purchase agreement or other proof of impending purchase, and/or directly to contractors for infrastructure or equipment funds. New Applicants cannot apply for both Infrastructure and land funds within the same award period.

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It is the intention of the Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund (DBFLF) to rebuild inter-generational land ownership for Black farmers in Detroit and applicants must share that mission. Further, we intend to cultivate a community of local Black farmers who can serve as co-stewards of not just farmland, but of the wisdom and knowledge necessary to feed and support the wider Detroit Black community at large. By applying for and receiving these funds, you are becoming a part of an intergenerational and intentional community of Black farmers who will ensure that the land is used to further this mission now, and in the future. Awardees are expected to use any land purchased with assistance from the DBFLF for gardening, farming or other agricultural purposes for at least the next five years. 

For more information on this application and how your responses will be weighted please see the DBFLF FAQ sheet (https://tinyurl.com/DBFLFfaq) or join us for one of our events (details below).

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Ideal Award Candidate

This fund is designed to support Black farmers in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. We recognize and honor everyone's right to self-identify. In using the term "Black" we are referring to those Americans who, due to intergenerational racism, have had limited access to capital and land as a result of enslavement, racial violence, racial discrimination and racialized poverty. If you feel that you meet this standard, but do not identify as "Black", please clarify how you identify. We are prioritizing Applicants who... 

  • are already farming on land they do not own or have a clear vision for a garden or farm operation

  • have or are seeking farm skill by training /volunteering at local farms regularly 

  • are willing to contribute something to their project (financial or otherwise) 

 

You are eligible to apply if you are a...

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FUTURE awardee - haven't been awarded before

  • You are engaged in and willing to continue being engaged in the community surrounding your farm

  • You understand the skill and dedication Involved in developing a farm/garden and are willing to maintain your site for at least 5 years for the purpose of farming and gardening.

  • Currently work or live in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck 

  • Exhibit farming and gardening skills and/or training, or actively volunteer at a local farm organization 

  • Have already attempted to purchase land, are farming on land you don't currently own or have a clear vision for a garden or farm operation

  • If you already own land, you are able to apply for infrastructure dollars

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RETURNING Awardee - have been awarded in the past

  • Are a 2024 awardee who spent All infrastructure dollars and/or Submitted a Land Purchase Application. 

  • You have received this award no more than 4 times

  • You are buying Land to extend your project or operation 

  • You are applying for infrastructure funds

  • You make a strong case for the progress you were able to make with the funds awarded in previous years

**PLEASE NOTE ONLY RETURINING AWARDEES MAY APPLY FOR BOTH INFRASTRUCTURE AND LAND FUNDS)***

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Required Documents 

TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION, YOU MUST UPLOAD THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

  • Photos or Video of you and your farm/garden (photos of you gardening if you are a new farmer) 

FOR INFRASTRUCTURE ONLY:

FOR LAND PURCHASES ONLY:

 

 

AWARD Timeline/ Application Tour and Technical Support 

  • JUNE 19: Application drops

  • JUNE 25, 4pm-5:30pm: Application Tour and Technical Support - Douglass Branch For Specialized Services, 3666 Grand River Ave, Detroit 48208 REGISTER HERE

  • JULY 7, 5pm-7pm: Application Tour and Technical Support - Parkman Public Library, 1766 Oakman Blvd, Detroit, 48238 REGISTER HERE

  • July 23, 6:30-8pm: Application Tour and Technical Support - Edison Branch, 18400 Joy Rd, Detroit, 48228 REGISTER HERE

  • June 25, 6p: Gathering of Growers hosted in collaboration with Keep Growing Detroit: Strawberry Moon/Odemini Giizis - Accessing and Purchasing Land in Detroit REGISTER HERE  

  • JULY 29: Application due by midnight

  • Week of September 15: Awardee notification

  • September 21: Award Ceremony at DBCFSN Harvest Fest at D-Town. If awarded, attend a mandatory orientation and schedule a one on one with representative(s) from the fund. 

 

QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE? 

If you have any additional questions, need to send additional application materials, would like to be interviewed or want to submit a video entry in lieu of completing this application, or generally need assistance completing the applications, send an email to detroitblackfarmerlandfund@gmail.com

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