The U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging public participation in the April 18 virtual meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production.
"The Committee is part of USDA’s efforts to support urban and innovative agriculture, creating a network for feedback," the agency states in its March 30 news release. "Members include agricultural producers and representatives from the areas of higher education or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing."
Topics to be discussed at the virtual meeting include a new public/online database for grant and funding programs; Farm Service Agency loan programs; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); food loss and waste; and food labeling, the press release reports. The Committee will vote on proposed recommendations and address public comments during the meeting, according to the release.
The virtual meeting is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, April 18, participants can register at the Committee's website until the day of the event. The USDA will post the meeting agenda 24 hours to 48 hours prior to the event on that website, according to the release.
“The Federal Advisory Committee is a valuable source of on the ground information and recommendations for USDA,” Terry Cosby, chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, said in the release. “I encourage members of the public to attend and submit comments for the Committee to help us better serve urban and innovative producers and their communities.”
USDA also supports urban agriculture by investing up to $7.5 million for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production competitive grants, and up to $9.5 million for Compost and Food Waste Reduction pilot projects; renewing the People’s Garden movement; providing technical and financial assistance through conservation programs offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and organizing 17 Farm Service Agency urban county committees, according to the press release.
