Other Ag News: Release: New JAFSCD Commentary Highlights Urgent Need for Federal Investment in Urban Agriculture

For Immediate Release

Contact: Laura Zaks

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

press@sustainableagriculture.net

Washington, DC, October 31, 2024 – In a new commentary published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD), authors Hagan Capnerhurst of Michigan Food and Farming Systems, Hannah Quigley of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and Jake Hawes of the University of Wyoming (UW), emphasize the vital role of urban agriculture in fostering local food sovereignty, driving economic development, and enhancing community well-being.

“Despite the significant growth of urban farming, federal support has not kept pace, with funding remaining critically low in relation to the pressing needs of urban growers,” said Hannah Quigley, NSAC Policy Specialist, adding that “NSAC Urban agriculture initiatives, often led by communities of color, have become essential in empowering historically marginalized groups and innovating food production practices. Yet, these local efforts are frequently hindered by restrictive policies and inadequate financial backing.” 

Since the establishment of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production in the 2018 Farm Bill, federal funding has been substantially below its authorized level, limiting the capacity to support this burgeoning sector. The authors highlight the urgent need for Congress to expand federal investment and stabilize funding for urban agriculture.

“Despite overwhelming evidence for urban agriculture’s social and economic benefits, the practice has struggled to gain federal support, said Jake Hawes, Assistant Professor at UW. “Among other things, we wrote this brief to highlight recent research on synergies between social, economic, and environmental benefits from urban agriculture. Available funding and supportive policy foster longer-lasting urban agriculture facilities, which can employ sustainable practices that reduce carbon emissions and decrease dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides,” added Hawes. 

The commentary highlights the opportunity for Congress to expand federal support and stabilize funding for urban agriculture. Key recommendations include:

• Increasing permanent funding to at least $10 million annually
• Increasing tailored technical assistance and conservation planning for urban producers
• Implementing the Urban and Innovative Agriculture Data Collection Initiative
• Securing land tenure for urban farms to prevent displacement and preserve vital resources

“As urban agriculture continues to grow, it presents a transformative opportunity for federal policymakers to fully recognize, support, and invest in urban farms as the critical food production spaces they are. The commentary urges Congress to acknowledge the importance of agriculture to urban communities and economies, its role in fostering resilience in urban food systems, and its potential to affect food systems and economies across the nation,” shared Hagan Capnerhurst, Michigan Food and Farming Systems. 

The brief can be found here.

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The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net

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