USDA seeks urban agriculture ideas

The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC) is one of several ways that USDA extends support and builds frameworks to support urban agriculture, including issues of equity, climate resilience and nutrition access.

The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to create this committee to advise 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.

Twelve members are appointed to the committee for one to three-year terms by the secretary of agriculture. The members represent a diverse set of expertise, including urban production, innovative production, higher education, non-profit, finance, business and economic development, supply chain and other areas related to urban, indoor and other emerging agriculture production practices.

UAIPAC’s seventh public meeting will be 1-3 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 29. The public may attend via Zoom with advanced registration up until the meeting. Written comments will be accepted via Federal Register until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Dec. 13, and will be shared with Committee members for consideration. The final agenda will be posted on the advisory committee’s website at least 24-48 hours prior to the meeting.

General questions and comments can be emailed to UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov.