USDA Furthers Commitment to Urban Ag Production, Including Greenhouse Vegetables
August 16, 2020 In a sign that USDA is furthering its involvement in controlled-environment production, the department recently announced new Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees focused exclusively on urban agriculture. County committees have enabled farmer input on the delivery of FSA programs since the 1930s, and these new committees are part of USDA’s efforts to better support urban agriculture.
“County committees represent farmers and set priorities at the local level,” says Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey. “Urban and suburban farmers are uniquely qualified to identify the needs of growers and their communities, especially when it comes to making fresh, healthy food accessible.”
“I encourage urban growers to nominate candidates to lead, serve, and represent their community on their county committee,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “Diverse representation can ensure that the needs of all farmers, including urban and suburban farmers, are included in local decisions for USDA programs.”
The committees are organized through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, and the first five will be located in Albuquerque, NM; Cleveland, OH; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; and Richmond, VA. Five additional county committees will be announced in the fall.
The urban and suburban county committees will work to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices. Additionally, the new county committees may address areas such as food access, community engagement, support of local activities to promote and encourage community compost, and food waste reduction.
Committees will make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Their input is vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment, and other agricultural issues.
Nominations for Urban County Committees
FSA will begin accepting nominations for urban and suburban county committee members on Sept. 8. Urban farmers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program in the county selected may either be nominated or may nominate themselves or others as a candidate. Organizations, including those representing beginning, women, and minority producers, also may nominate candidates.
To be considered, a producer must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at fsa.usda.gov/elections or farmers.gov/urban.
Subscribe to eNewsletter
