Natural Resources Conservation Service. More information is available at farmers.gov/urban. land access for urban agriculture. In authorizing the Office, Congress recognized that farmers in urban communities may not fully take advantage of USDA’s resources and may need extra focus. Read our stories. Outlines steps for starting a project; links to success stories and current urban agriculture projects; identifies information and resources available from federal agencies and non-governmental organizations; posts frequent questions and answers; and identifies presentations and other educational materials. The full report, The Promise of Urban Agriculture, draws observations from 14 urban farms across the United States, interviews over 160 experts, and describes the opportunities for and the benefits of urban farms. Restoring the New Beginnings Spring from the Homeless Garden Project, Santa Cruz, CA. Farming in the City video - Did you know 15 percent of the world’s food is grown in urban areas. Urban agriculture, urban farming, or urban gardening is the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around urban areas. New research from collaboration between Arizona State University (ASU) and Google provides an assessment of the value of urban agriculture and the benefits it provides on a global scale. The toolkit identifies and describes technical and financial resources developed by urban farmers, federal and city government agencies, and local organizations that address considerations for new urban farmers. Urban Agriculture Urban agriculture pioneers are taking action in their communities, growing not only fresh, healthy produce, but also providing jobs, beautifying their neighborhoods, and offering access to fresh, healthy food in areas where grocery stores are sparse. Visit the. USDA Announces First-Ever Recipients of Urban Agriculture Grants and Cooperative Agreements Contact: FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov. Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR), Office of Budget & Program Analysis (OBPA), Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Office of the Executive Secretariat (OES), High Tunnels – NRCS can provide financial assistance for high tunnels, used to extend the growing season and to protect plants from harsh weather, air pollution and pests. 7 CFR, Part 3555 - This part sets forth policies for the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) administered by USDA Rural Development. Report from Cornell University Small Farms Program on the commercial viability of urban agriculture, as based on case studies of urban farms. Includes related reports and statutes. You will find everything from tools to help teachers in the classroom to scholarship, internship, and career opportunities. By making local produce available for more months in the year, fewer resources are used to transport food to plates. USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production WASHINGTON, May 6, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $3 million for grants through its new Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. As American agriculture continues to grow in new directions, NRCS conservation assistance is growing along with it. The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production was established through the 2018 Farm Bill. The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. The working group supports efforts that study, support and strengthen local and regional food systems, and … National Conference of State Legislatures. A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. These activities occur in peri-urban areas as well. Urban Agriculture From rooftop gardens to aquaponics centers in old warehouses to growing crops on abandoned properties, urban agriculture provides many benefits to a community, including closer neighborhood ties, reduced crime, education and job training opportunities, and healthy food access for … Explore information and tools on urban agriculture. USDA. NRCS serves all agriculture – large to small, conventional to organ-ic, rural to urban. Key resources include: Business Planning/Risk Management; Land Access; Soil Quality; Water Access/Use; Accessing Capital and Financing; Infrastructure; Production Strategies; Market Development; Training and Mentoring; and Safety and Security. National Center for Appropriate Technology. 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