5 focus points for the USDA's new office of urban agriculture

Added on 16 May 2022

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5 focus points for the USDA's new office of urban agriculture

People have always grown food near where they live, and with over 80% of Americans now living in urban areas, everything from rooftops, warehouses, windowsills, and abandoned lots is transforming into farms.

The USDA is responding.

The USDA's new Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP), first authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, held its inaugural public meeting in March 2022. Featuring USDA leadership, an advisory committee of industry leaders, and comments from the general public, the meeting served as an activation event to align the USDA with the growing Urban Agriculture movement.

During his opening remarks, the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas Vilsack, said there was a "keen interest and deep appreciation" for urban agriculture throughout the agency. Others spoke about the long history of urban gardens and farms in the U.S., especially during times of upheaval or conflict.

Leslie Glover, Program Manager for OUAIP, made the case that urban life and food production have only recently become disconnected, citing examples of widespread production during the World Wars and historic economic woes. He argued that urban and innovative production was here to stay and that it was up to the USDA to transition along with it.

The move is a shift for the USDA, which has historically omitted urban agriculture from many of its policies and programs, like important tax incentives, technical support, and financial support.

Editor's Note: This article is based on presentations given during the March 2022 inaugural meeting of the USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP), and Agritecture's subsequent correspondences with USDA officials.

Written by: Director of Business Development, Jeffrey Landau & Food Systems Consultant, Christian Kanlian

Photo Caption : Gotham Greens' Co-Founder & CEO Viraj Puri established this agricultural company in 2009 to revitalize communities and innovate for a sustainable future by creating new ways to farm and produce local food. Viraj Puri is part of the USDA's inaugural federal advisory committee on Urban Agriculture. Image sourced from Gotham Greens.

Source: Agritecture