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Urban Agriculture

USDA is working to support urban agriculture as it plays an important role in growing not only fresh, healthy food, often where grocery stores are scarce, but also providing jobs, responding to climate change, and beautifying neighborhoods.

Urban agriculture includes the cultivating, processing and distributing agricultural products in urban and suburban areas. Community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and vertical production are all examples of urban agriculture. Tribal communities and small towns may also be included.

USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

USDA is committed to serving the needs of all kinds of agriculture, including urban agriculture and related benefits of extending regional and local food production and increasing access to healthy, fresh food. The USDA-wide Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production supports urban producers through:

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants

Grants are available to initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs.

 

Learn more on our Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants page.

Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements

Cooperative agreements assist local and municipal governments with projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. Implementation activities will increase access to compost for agricultural producers, improve soil quality and encourages innovative, scalable waste management plans that reduce and divert food waste from landfills.

 

Learn more on our Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements page.

Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

This committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices as well as identify any barriers to urban agriculture. Learn more on our Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production webpage.

Farm Service Agency County Office Committees for Urban Agriculture

USDA established 17 county office committees devoted exclusively to urban agriculture in: Phoenix, AZ; Atlanta, GA; New Orleans, LA; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; St. Louis, MO; Albuquerque, NM; Cleveland, OH; Portland, OR; Philadelphia, PA; Dallas, TX; Richmond, VA; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Detroit, MI; Grand Rapids, MI; Los Angeles, CA; Oakland, CA. USDA established 17 county office committees devoted exclusively to urban agriculture in:  Phoenix, AZ; Atlanta, GA; New Orleans, LA; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; St. Louis, MO; Albuquerque, NM; Cleveland, OH; Portland, OR; Philadelphia, PA; Dallas, TX; Richmond, VA; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Detroit, MI; Grand Rapids, MI; Los Angeles, CA; Oakland, CA. Each committee is composed of three to eleven members who help ensure fair and equitable administration of Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm programs in their county or multi-county jurisdiction. USDA plans to add additional committees. Learn more on the County Committee Elections webpage.

USDA Programs and Services

USDA offers a wide variety of programs and services to urban producers to help them start, expand and improve their operations. This includes conservation, disaster assistance, crop insurance, and safety-net programs. Learn more at farmers.gov/urban.

News

Resources

Contact Us

Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
1400 Independence Avenue, SW.
Washington, D.C. 20250-0170
Email: urbanagriculture@usda.gov

For more information on USDA and urban agriculture, visit www.farmers.gov/urban or email us at urbanagriculture@usda.gov