USDA Announces Federal Advisory Committee on Urban Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Tuesday announced 12 members to serve on the inaugural Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture. 

The Department of Agriculture committee will provide input on policy development and help identify barriers to urban agriculture. 

The new committee is part of USDA’s efforts to support urban agriculture, creating a network for feedback. Urban agriculture plays an important role in producing fresh, healthy food in areas where grocery stores are scarce, and provides jobs and beautifies neighborhoods, according to USDA. 

Vilsack says, “I look forward to learning how we can better serve urban agricultural producers.” 

The committee includes agricultural producers and representatives from higher education or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing. 

USDA and the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production peer-reviewed more than 300 nominees, and Vilsack made the final selections. 

Find more information about the committee and its members at farmers.gov/urban.

(Story Courtesy of the NAFB News Service)