US: Sustainable ag coalition praises the Supporting Urban & Innovative Farming

Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-11), Shontel Brown (D-OH-X), Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-1), Nikema Williams (D-GA-5), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Danny Davis (D-IL-7), Donald Payne Jr (D-NJ-10), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), James McGovern (D-MA-2), and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) recently introduced the Supporting Urban & Innovative Farming Act. These Congressional champions join their Senate colleagues in their efforts to secure support for the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production while improving content and service delivery for urban, suburban, and innovative producers throughout USDA’s service center network.

“In 2023, the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production exponentially expanded their efforts to improve access to USDA services among urban, microscale, and innovative growers. They did so by opening 17 new urban service centers, expanding to 27 urban FSA county committees, and funding trusted community partners to lead outreach and technical assistance delivery across these geographies. The Supporting Urban & Innovative Farming Act would provide policy reforms and necessary investments to provide tailored technical assistance that responds to the unique needs of producers utilizing innovative growing techniques at a variety of scales in urban settings and beyond. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is extremely pleased to see such strong Congressional support for the Office and its activities, particularly among members of the House and Senate agriculture committees,” commented Hannah Quigley, NSAC Policy Specialist.

“We’re excited to see the Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act move forward in the House and applaud Representative Elissa Slotkin for her support as a cosponsor. The bill is an important acknowledgment of the essential role urban agriculture plays in addressing environmental justice and disparities in public health,” said Jen Silveri, Co-Executive Director of Michigan Food & Farming Systems, an NSAC member.