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Farm Service Agency

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# USDA Seeks Members for Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov

**WASHINGTON, May 15, 2023** – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Nominations will be open to public from May 15, 2023, to July 15, 2023. The 12-member Committee, which first convened in March 2022, is part of USDA’s efforts to increase support for urban agriculture and innovative production. Members of the Committee provide input on policy development and help identify barriers to urban agriculture as USDA works to promote urban farming and the economic opportunities it provides in cities across the country. 

“The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Committee is an important opportunity for urban and innovative producers to have their voices heard and give direct feedback to USDA,” said Terry Cosby, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, which oversees USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. “These new members will provide valuable input on how we can better serve urban agricultural producers with a focus on equity, local food systems, access to safe and nutritious food and new ways to address climate change.” 

Members of the Committee include agricultural producers and representatives from the areas of higher education or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing. The Committee last met in April 2023.   

**Nominations**  

USDA is seeking nominations for individuals representing a broad spectrum of expertise. Four positions are open for nominations including: 
                                - One individual representing urban agriculture. 
                                - One individual representing an institution of higher education or extension program. 
                                - One individual representing business and economic development, which may include a business development entity, community development initiatives, a chamber of commerce, a city government or a planning organization.  
                                - One individual representing related experience in urban, indoor and other emerging agriculture production practices. 

Individuals who wish to be considered for membership must submit a nomination package including the following:  
                                - A completed background disclosure form (Form AD-755) signed by the nominee;  https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf .  
                                - A brief summary explaining the nominee's interest in one or more open vacancies including any unique qualifications that address the membership composition and criteria described above.  
                                - A resume providing the nominee's background, experience, and educational qualifications.  
                                - Recent publications by the nominee relative to extending support for urban agriculture or innovative production (optional). 
                                - Letter(s) of endorsement (optional). 

Nomination packages must be submitted by email to UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov or postmarked by July 15, 2023. If sending by mail, packages should be addressed to the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4627-S, Washington, DC 20250. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals for membership, including self-nominations. For special accommodations, contact Markus Holliday at  UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov.  

Additional details are available in the Federal Register notice.  

**More Information**   

The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production was established through the 2018 Farm Bill. It is led by NRCS and works in partnership with numerous USDA agencies that support urban agriculture and innovative production. The Committee is part of a broad USDA investment in urban agriculture. Other efforts include: **** 
                                - Investing up to $7.5 million for  Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production  competitive grants in fiscal year 2023.  
                                - Investing up to  $9.5 million for  Composting and Food Waste Reduction  (CFWR) pilot projects for fiscal year 2023. 
                                - Renewing the  People’s Garden  movement -- inspiring collaborative gardens across the country to join the People’s Garden community; grow using sustainable practices that benefit people and wildlife; and teach about gardening and resilient, local food systems.   
                                - Providing technical and financial assistance through NRCS conservation programs.  
                                - Organizing 17 Farm Service Agency urban county committees. 
                                - Investing nearly $133 million in grants through the Agricultural Marketing Service’s  Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP)  that develop, coordinate, and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets, and local food enterprises. 
                                - Helping child nutrition program operators incorporate local foods through the Food and Nutrition Services  Farm to School Program .  
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## Recent News

                        - USDA Launches Program to Support Agricultural Employers and Farmworkers, Aiming to Increase Economic and Supply Chain Resilience as Part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda      
**WASHINGTON, D.C., September 22, 2023** – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that agricultural employers can begin to apply for a pilot program designed to improve the resiliency of the food and agricultural supply chain by addressing workforce challenges farmers and ranchers face. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in coordination with other federal agencies, is announcing up to $65 million in grants available for the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program).  
 
                        - USDA Announces Fiscal Year 2024 Sugar Loan Rates  WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced sugar loan rates for crop year 2023 (fiscal year 2024). 
                        - USDA Provides $5 Million in Second Round of Payments to Help Organic Dairy Producers Cover Increased Costs   
WASHINGTON, September 20, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing a second round of payments for dairy producers through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP), providing an additional $5 million to help dairy producers mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has already paid out $15 million in the first round of payments for eligible producers, bringing total ODMAP payments to $20 million.
 

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