Legislation Supporting Urban and Innovative Farmers

By Andi Anderson

The Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act, sponsored by Representative Shontel Brown, is receiving praise from the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) for its efforts to strengthen the support and resources available to urban and innovative producers. This legislation aims to bring programmatic reforms that benefit these farmers by enabling cooperative agreements, expanding access to grant funding, and promoting composting and food waste initiatives.

Key aspects of the legislation include:

• Building on Success: The Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act builds upon the achievements of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP), which was established in the 2018 Farm Bill. The OUAIP has facilitated the opening of USDA Service Centers in urban areas, providing support to urban, suburban, and innovative farmers in accessing farm loans and conservation programs.
• Addressing Unique Challenges: Urban and suburban farmers face distinct challenges related to land use and climate variability in populated areas. The legislation recognizes the importance of dedicated funding for local farmers in urban and suburban regions to enhance food system diversity and reliability.
• Enhanced Technical Assistance: The act aims to improve consistency across USDA Service Centers by offering technical assistance tailored to the needs of urban and suburban farmers and those engaged in controlled or indoor farming. This assistance includes support for accessing USDA services, assistance with navigating local zoning regulations, and conservation planning adapted to urban and suburban environments.
• Community Food Security: The legislation seeks to promote community food security by enabling a better understanding of urban and innovative producers' contributions. It funds research through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, investigating various controlled-environment production systems, such as aeroponic, aquaponic, and hydroponic systems. It also directs the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to conduct a data census for urban, indoor, and emerging agricultural producers.
• Mandatory Funding: To ensure the sustained growth of OUAIP, the bill allocates mandatory funding, starting with $15 million in FY2024 and gradually increasing to reach $50 million by FY2028.

OEFFA commends Representative Shontel Brown for championing the cause of urban and innovative farming and working closely with stakeholders to address the needs of local farmers and producers. They encourage other members of Congress to co-sponsor the Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act and support its inclusion in the 2023 Farm Bill.

This legislation reflects an effort to support and promote sustainable, diversified, and resilient food systems, particularly in urban and suburban areas, where unique challenges and opportunities exist for agriculture and food production.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-frankvandenbergh