I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3699 
To promote and enhance urban agricultural production and agricultural 
research in urban areas, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 
Ms. KAPTUR (for herself, Mr. CONYERS, Ms. LEE, Ms. NORTON, Ms. MOORE, 
Mr. JEFFRIES, Ms. PINGREE, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, 
Mr. EVANS, and Ms. ADAMS) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Agriculture 
A BILL 
To promote and enhance urban agricultural production and 
agricultural research in urban areas, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Urban Agriculture Production Act of 2017’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
Sec. 3. Findings. 
Sec. 4. Urban agriculture outreach program. 
Sec. 5. Urban agriculture liaison. 
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Sec. 6. Urban agriculture research initiative. 
Sec. 7. Agriculture programs. 
Sec. 8. Improving agricultural reporting. 
Sec. 9. Study and report. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture. 
(2) URBAN AGRICULTURE.—The term ‘‘urban 
agriculture’’ means the production of food and non- 
food plants and animal husbandry in an urban area 
and may include household, school, and community 
gardens, food bank production sites, urban farms, 
hoop houses, chicken coops and beehives, aqua-
culture, hydroponics and aquaponics facilities, and 
rooftop, vertical, and indoor farms. 
(3) URBAN
AREA.—The term ‘‘urban area’’ 
means an area within a Metropolitan Statistical 
Area (as defined by the Office of Management and 
Budget). 
SEC. 3. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Dramatic economic, demographic, and land 
use changes have created pockets of land suitable for 
urban agriculture. 
(2) The United States population is increasing 
at a rate of 0.69 percent annually, and by 2050 it 
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is expected that the United States population will in-
crease to 398 million. 
(3) Despite the United States being an ad-
vanced economy, many neighborhoods and commu-
nities are categorically food and nutrient short popu-
lations. 
(4) Advances in agricultural practices, tech-
nologies, and natural resources make production ag-
riculture possible in previously ignored locations in-
cluding urban areas that were once cordoned off 
from agricultural production. 
(5) There is a disconnect between daily urban 
life, health outcomes, and food production that 
urban agriculture can help address. 
(6) According to the 2012 Census of Agri-
culture, approximately 7 percent of all farms in the 
United States had direct sales of agricultural prod-
ucts totaling at least $1,300,000,000, with the high-
est of such sales coming from farms in metropolitan 
counties or in adjacent rural counties. 
(7) It is imperative to ensure that advances in 
urban agriculture be available as a viable option to 
help meet the food production needs of the future 
and to address chronic food and nutrition shortages 
of communities. 
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SEC. 4. URBAN AGRICULTURE OUTREACH PROGRAM. 
(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish an urban agriculture outreach program under 
which the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive 
basis to eligible entities to support outreach activities for 
any of the following: 
(1) Infrastructure, including production and 
distribution systems, to support urban agriculture. 
(2) Land acquisition, land conversion, and soil 
and growing mechanism assistance to support urban 
agriculture, including in and around brownfields, va-
cant lots, or other underutilized tracts of land. 
(3) Education and training to enhance urban 
agriculture. 
(4) Technical and financial assistance to farm-
ers, producers, or ranchers in urban areas for— 
(A) the aggregation of the farmers’, pro-
ducers’, or ranchers’ products and supplies for 
purposes of transportation to market; and 
(B) managing urban agriculture farm op-
erations in accordance with local laws and prac-
tices. 
(5) Other activities that support urban agri-
culture, as determined by the Secretary. 
(b) GRANT REQUIREMENTS.— 
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(1) GRANT TERM.—The term of a grant award-
ed under this section shall be not less than one year. 
(2) EXTENSION
OF
GRANT
TERM.—A grant 
awarded under this section may be extended at the 
discretion of the Secretary. 
(3) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 
shall provide technical assistance to eligible entities 
that are awarded a grant under this section. 
(c) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall give a preference to an eligible 
entity seeking a grant for outreach activities to be carried 
out in a historically underserved community. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means— 
(A) a community organization with experi-
ence in urban agriculture; 
(B) a nonprofit or charitable organization; 
(C) a historically underserved community; 
(D) a local governmental entity or local 
park system; 
(E) a local educational agency (as defined 
in section 8101 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
7801)); 
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(F) an institution of higher education (as 
defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))); or 
(G) any other entity as determined appro-
priate by the Secretary. 
(2) HISTORICALLY
UNDERSERVED
FARMERS, 
PRODUCERS, OR RANCHERS.—The term ‘‘historically 
underserved farmers, producers, or ranchers’’ means 
farmers, producers, or ranchers who engage in 
urban agriculture and who are— 
(A) beginning farmers, producers, or 
ranchers; 
(B) limited resource beginning farmers, 
producers, or ranchers (as defined by the Sec-
retary); or 
(C) socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers (as such term is defined in section 
2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))). 
(3) 
HISTORICALLY
UNDERSERVED
COMMU-
NITY.—The term ‘‘historically underserved commu-
nity’’ means a community— 
(A) comprised of at-risk populations (as 
defined by the Secretary), such as historically 
underserved farmers, producers, or ranchers, 
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the economically disadvantaged, racial and eth-
nic minorities, the uninsured, low-income chil-
dren, the elderly, the homeless, and individuals 
with chronic health conditions, including severe 
mental illness; 
(B) with a high rate of obesity and obesity- 
related disease; or 
(C) with few or no grocery stores or other 
retail food establishments. 
(4) UNDERUTILIZED
TRACT
OF
LAND.—The 
term ‘‘underutilized tract of land’’ means a tract of 
land that is not utilized fully (as determined by the 
Secretary in consultation with the Governor of the 
State involved and the local governmental entity in-
volved), including a tract of land— 
(A) that is undeveloped, or where only a 
percentage of the land is developed; 
(B) in the case of public land, land with 
low or decreasing public use; or 
(C) with unused recreation facilities. 
(5) VACANT
LOT.—The term ‘‘vacant lot’’ 
means a tract of land without buildings. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
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$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year 
thereafter. 
SEC. 5. URBAN AGRICULTURE LIAISON. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall establish in the Department of Agriculture the posi-
tion of Urban Agricultural Liaison. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Urban Agricultural Liaison 
shall— 
(1) establish and administer the urban agri-
culture outreach program established under section 
4; 
(2) establish and administer an information 
clearinghouse on urban agriculture; 
(3) consult with public and private groups, in-
cluding research institutions and urban botanical 
gardens, on how to enhance urban agriculture; 
(4) provide technical assistance to urban farm-
ers, producers, and ranchers to assist such farmers, 
producers, and ranchers— 
(A) in identifying appropriate land, space, 
or buildings for lease or purchase; 
(B) in preparing loan applications, identi-
fying appropriate funding sources, and by con-
necting such farmers, producers, and ranchers 
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with loan officers and other appropriate per-
sonnel; 
(C) in connecting to the network of farm-
ers’ markets throughout the United States; 
(D) in forming partnerships with grocers; 
(E) in diversifying the marketing plans of 
the farmers’, producers’, or ranchers’ products 
by encouraging the formation of community- 
supported agriculture groups and direct whole-
sale opportunities; 
(F) in using unconventional farming prac-
tices, such as greenhouses, raised beds, hydro-
ponics, aeroponics, aquaculture, vertical farm-
ing, and hoop houses; 
(G) in understanding and applying plant 
science, soil science, engineering, material and 
energy science, and computer control systems; 
(H) by providing for business development 
(including businesses engaged in processing 
food), organizing appropriate structure, and 
management activities, including professional 
development activities; 
(I) with understanding and navigating mu-
nicipal laws, regulations, ordinances, and poli-
cies with respect to obtaining permits, zoning, 
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(8) advocate on behalf of urban farmers, pro-
ducers, and ranchers in interactions with employees 
of the Department of Agriculture. 
(c) CONTRACTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.— 
For purposes of carrying out the duties under subsection 
(b), the Urban Agricultural Liaison may enter into con-
tracts or cooperative agreements with research centers of 
the Agricultural Research Service, institutions of higher 
education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), or nonprofit organi-
zations to— 
(1) conduct regional research on the profit-
ability of small farms; 
(2) develop educational materials; 
(3) conduct workshops, courses, and certified 
vocational training; 
(4) conduct mentoring activities; or 
(5) provide internship opportunities. 
SEC. 6. URBAN AGRICULTURE RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award grants, 
on a competitive basis, for scientific and community-based 
participatory research on— 
(1) promoting and enhancing urban agriculture; 
(2) improving production efficiency and profit-
ability of urban agriculture production; 
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(3) marketing urban agriculture innovations 
and technologies; 
(4) methods to protect crops and agricultural 
products in urban areas from pests and disease; 
(5) methods to enhance food safety related to 
urban agriculture production; 
(6) methods to encourage advancements in ma-
terial and energy science and engineering; and 
(7) other research areas the Secretary deter-
mines are appropriate. 
(b) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall give a preference to an eligible 
entity seeking a grant for outreach activities to be carried 
out in a historically underserved community (as such term 
is defined in section 4(d)). 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nu-
trition, and Forestry of the Senate, and make publicly 
available on the website of the Department of Agriculture, 
a report summarizing the research conducted under sub-
section (a). 
(d) FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity Cred-
it Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry 
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out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 
through 2022. 
SEC. 7. AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS. 
(a) FARMERS’ MARKET LOAN AND LOAN GUARAN-
TEES.—The Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act 
of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating section 7 as section 8; and 
(2) by inserting after section 6 the following 
new section: 
‘‘SEC. 7. FARMERS’ MARKET LOANS AND LOAN GUARAN-
TEES. 
‘‘(a) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
Secretary, 
acting 
through the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency, 
shall carry out a program to make loans and loan guaran-
tees to eligible entities for projects or activities to estab-
lish, expand, and promote direct producer-to-consumer 
marketing and assist in the development of local food busi-
ness enterprises by such entities, including— 
‘‘(1) projects for the construction of new farm-
ers’ markets; 
‘‘(2) projects for the improvement or rehabilita-
tion of existing farmers’ markets; 
‘‘(3) projects for the acquisition of equipment 
for farmers’ markets and other infrastructure needs; 
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‘‘(4) projects for the purchase, acquisition, and 
rehabilitation of land or property for use as a farm-
ers’ market; 
‘‘(5) transportation and delivery activities; 
‘‘(6) activities carried out through agritourism 
initiatives; and 
‘‘(7) projects, including planning and feasibility 
initiatives for the expansion or establishment of 
farmers’ markets designed to increase sales in areas 
not easily accessible through traditional transpor-
tation activities. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM PURPOSES.—The purposes of the pro-
gram established under subsection (a) are to increase do-
mestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally 
produced agricultural products, and to develop new mar-
ket opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving 
local markets, by developing, improving, expanding, and 
providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, 
or assisting in the development, improvement and expan-
sion of— 
‘‘(1) 
domestic 
farmers’ 
markets, 
roadside 
stands, community-supported agriculture programs, 
agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to- 
consumer market opportunities; and 
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‘‘(2) local and regional food business enter-
prises (including those that are not direct producer- 
to-consumer markets) that process, distribute, ag-
gregate, or store locally or regionally produced food 
products. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—An eligible entity seeking a loan 
or loan guarantee under this section shall submit to the 
Secretary an application at such time and in such manner 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire, including documentation demonstrating the finan-
cial need of the entity. 
‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity shall be eligible 
to receive a loan or loan guarantee under this section if 
the entity is— 
‘‘(1) an agricultural cooperative or other agri-
cultural business entity or a producer network or as-
sociation, including a community supported agri-
culture network or association; 
‘‘(2) a local government; 
‘‘(3) a nonprofit corporation; 
‘‘(4) a public benefit corporation; 
‘‘(5) an economic development corporation; 
‘‘(6) a regional farmers’ market authority; or 
‘‘(7) such other entity as the Secretary may 
designate. 
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‘‘(e) CRITERIA
AND GUIDELINES.—The Secretary 
shall establish criteria and guidelines for the submission, 
evaluation, and funding of proposed projects under this 
section. 
‘‘(f) PRIORITIES.—In providing loans or loan guaran-
tees under this section, priority shall be given to applica-
tions that include projects or activities that benefit under-
served communities, including communities that— 
‘‘(1) are located in— 
‘‘(A) an urban area (as defined in section 
2 of the Urban Agriculture Production Act of 
2017); or 
‘‘(B) an area of concentrated poverty with 
limited access to fresh locally or regionally 
grown foods; and 
‘‘(2) have not received benefits pursuant to a 
loan or loan guarantee in the recent past. 
‘‘(g) LOAN INTEREST RATE; DURATION.— 
‘‘(1) INTEREST RATE.—The interest rate on a 
loan under this section (other than a loan guarantee 
under this section) shall be as determined by the 
Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the 
Farm Service Agency, but not less than such rate as 
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury taking 
into consideration the current average market yield 
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on outstanding marketable obligations of the United 
States with remaining periods to maturity com-
parable to the maturities of such loan, as determined 
by the Secretary of the Treasury on the date the 
loan is made. 
‘‘(2) DURATION.—The interest rate for each 
loan under this section shall remain in effect for the 
term of the loan. 
‘‘(h) CONDITION.—As a condition of receiving a loan 
or loan guarantee under this section, a recipient of such 
a loan or loan guarantee shall certify that the recipient 
will reserve, for the sale of locally produced food products 
(as determined by the Secretary) produced by farmers, 
producers, ranchers, or aquaculture, mariculture, or fish-
eries operators, or by associations of farmers, producers, 
ranchers, or those operators, not less than 50 percent of 
the floor area of a farmers’ market— 
‘‘(1) that is operated or facilitated by the recipi-
ent; and 
‘‘(2) with respect to which loan funds will be 
used. 
‘‘(i) FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out 
this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 
through 2022.’’. 
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(b) EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR FARMERS’ MAR-
KET PROMOTION PROGRAM.—Subsection (g) of section 6 
of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 
(7 U.S.C. 3005) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
‘‘2018.’’ and inserting ‘‘2017; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2018 through 2022.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘TECH-
NICAL ASSISTANCE AND’’ before ‘‘ADMINISTRA-
TIVE EXPENSES’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘to provide technical as-
sistance or’’ before ‘‘for administrative ex-
penses’’. 
(c) EXTENSION
OF, EXPANSION
OF, AND ADDI-
TIONAL FUNDING FOR, SENIORS FARMERS’ MARKET NU-
TRITION PROGRAM.— 
(1) EXTENSION OF PROGRAM.—Section 4402(a) 
of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
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2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007(a)) is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary 
shall make available to carry out and expand a sen-
iors and veterans farmers’ market nutrition program 
at least $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 
through 2022. 
‘‘(2) DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.—There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 
2022. 
‘‘(3) USE OF FUNDS.—Of the funds made avail-
able to carry out this section for a fiscal year— 
‘‘(A) 70 percent of the funds shall be used 
for the benefit of program recipients who are 
low-income seniors; and 
‘‘(B) 30 percent of the funds shall be used 
for the benefit of program recipients who are 
low-income veterans.’’. 
(2) PURPOSES.—Section 4402(b)(1) of the 
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 
U.S.C. 3007(b)(1)) is amended— 
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(A) by inserting ‘‘, minimally processed’’ 
after ‘‘unprepared’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and low-income vet-
erans’’ after ‘‘low-income seniors’’. 
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS; 
UNEXPENDED 
FUNDS.—Section 4402 of the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) UNEXPENDED FUNDS.—To the extent the funds 
made available under subsection (a) for a fiscal year are 
not expended in that fiscal year, the Secretary shall use 
such funds in a subsequent fiscal year for the same pur-
pose. 
‘‘(h) PRIORITIES.—In providing funds made available 
under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to 
farmers’ markets that have an operational seniors and vet-
erans farmers’ market program and to seniors and vet-
erans farmers’ market programs in historically under-
served communities as defined in section 4(d) of the 
Urban Agriculture Production Act of 2017. 
‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) LOW
INCOME.—The term ‘low income’ 
shall have the meaning determined by the Secretary 
and shall be applied equally with respect to seniors 
and veterans. 
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‘‘(2) MINIMALLY PROCESSED.—The term ‘mini-
mally processed’ means, with respect to a product, 
processing that does not fundamentally alter such 
product. 
‘‘(3) VETERAN.—The term ‘veteran’ means an 
individual who has served in the Armed Forces (as 
defined in section 101(10) of title 38, United States 
Code).’’. 
(4) EXPANSION TO INCLUDE VETERANS.—Sec-
tion 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007) is amended by 
inserting ‘‘and veterans’’ after ‘‘seniors’’ each place 
it appears in the section heading and in subsections 
(b), (c), (d), and (f). 
(d) COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS.—Section 25 of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034) is 
amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a)(1) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(1) COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECT.—The term 
‘community food project’ means a community-based 
project that is designed— 
‘‘(A) to— 
‘‘(i) meet the food needs of low-in-
come individuals through food distribution, 
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community outreach to assist in participa-
tion in nutrition programs that receive 
Federal funding, or improving access to 
food as part of a comprehensive service; 
‘‘(ii) increase the self-reliance of com-
munities in providing for the food needs of 
the communities; and 
‘‘(iii) 
promote 
comprehensive 
re-
sponses to local food, food access, farm, 
and nutrition issues; or 
‘‘(B) to meet specific State, local, or neigh-
borhood food and agricultural needs, including 
needs relating to— 
‘‘(i) equipment necessary for the effi-
cient operation of a project; 
‘‘(ii) planning for long-term solutions; 
or 
‘‘(iii) the creation of innovative mar-
keting activities that mutually benefit agri-
cultural producers and low-income con-
sumers.’’; and 
(2) 
in 
subsection 
(b)(2)(C), 
by 
striking 
‘‘$9,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$10,000,000’’. 
(e) COMMUNITY FACILITIES DIRECT LOAN
AND 
GRANT PROGRAM.—With respect to the community facili-
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ties direct loan and grant program, the Secretary shall in-
clude urban farmers, producers, or ranchers as eligible en-
tities for purposes of— 
(1) loans under subpart A of part 1942 of title 
7, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(2) grants under subpart B of part 3570 of 
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 8. IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL REPORTING. 
(a) EVALUATION OF FARMERS’ MARKETS IN CENSUS 
OF AGRICULTURE.—Section 2(a) of the Census of Agri-
culture Act of 1997 (7 U.S.C. 2204g(a)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) INCLUSION OF FARMERS’ MARKETS.—Ef-
fective beginning with the first census of agriculture 
conducted after the date of the enactment of this 
paragraph, the Secretary shall include as part of 
each census of agriculture— 
‘‘(A) an evaluation of the state of farmers’ 
markets in the United States, including infor-
mation regarding the size, location, operational 
capacity, and geographic dispersion of farmers’ 
markets and types of food products sold (both 
in terms of product diversity and sales loca-
tions) through farmers’ markets; and 
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‘‘(B) an analysis of the economic impact of 
farmers’ markets, including the success of Fed-
eral programs in promoting and supporting 
farmers’ markets.’’. 
(b) COORDINATED ANNUAL REPORT ON FARMERS’ 
MARKETS.—Beginning on the date that is 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act and each year there-
after, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and publish 
on the website of the Department of Agriculture a report 
on the status of farmers’ markets in the United States. 
Such report shall include with respect to farmers’ markets 
in the United States for each year, the following informa-
tion: 
(1) The number of farmers’ markets. 
(2) The number of farmers’ markets established 
during such year except that for the first year a re-
port is submitted under this section, the report shall 
include the number of farmers’ markets for the five 
years immediately preceding the first reporting year. 
(3) The economic value of an average farmers’ 
market. 
(4) The type of governmental assistance pro-
vided to farmers’ markets. 
(5) The products that are typically sold at 
farmers’ markets. 
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(6) The number of farmers’ markets that ac-
cept as a form of payment benefits distributed 
through— 
(A) the supplemental nutrition assistance 
program established under the Food and Nutri-
tion Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); 
(B) the seniors farmers’ market nutrition 
program established under section 4402 of the 
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007); 
(C) the special supplemental nutrition pro-
gram for women, infants, and children estab-
lished under section 17 of the Child Nutrition 
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); and 
(D) any other Federal or State nutrition 
assistance program as determined appropriate 
by the Secretary. 
(7) The methods through which farmers’ mar-
kets process the forms of payment described in para-
graph (6). 
(8) The average income of a farmers’ market 
operator. 
(9) The average profit of a farmers’ market op-
erator. 
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(10) The average expenses incurred by a farm-
ers’ market operator. 
(11) Other occupations of operators of farmers’ 
markets. 
(12) The percentage of food sold or offered for 
sale at farmers’ markets that is locally produced. 
(13) Any other information related to farmers’ 
markets in the United States that the Secretary de-
termines is important to promote and enhance the 
use of farmers’ markets in the United States. 
(c) REPORT ON STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUC-
TION IN AND AROUND URBAN AREAS.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year 
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress 
(and make such report publicly available electronically) on 
the status of urban agriculture. The report shall include— 
(1) with respect to urban agriculture, informa-
tion on— 
(A) the percentage and economic value of 
urban agriculture production; 
(B) the most popular type of agricultural 
activity in which individuals are engaged in 
such production; 
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(C) the most recent best practices for such 
production; 
(D) the type of agricultural products mar-
keted and sold through such production; and 
(E) the progress made toward strength-
ening local food systems in carrying out such 
production; 
(2) an analysis of local government regulations, 
including zoning, that have supported or could sup-
port sustainable urban agriculture; and 
(3) recommendations on how to further urban 
agriculture. 
(d) PERFORMANCE GOALS.—The Secretary shall in-
corporate promoting and enhancing urban agriculture into 
the Department of Agriculture performance goals estab-
lished in the agency performance plan under section 1115 
of title 31, United States Code, and updated in accordance 
with section 1116 of such title. 
SEC. 9. STUDY AND REPORT. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Sec-
retary of Energy shall enter into an agreement with the 
National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of tech-
nologies to advance urban agricultural including tech-
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nologies that increase input efficiency, reduce costs, and 
ensure food safety. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the com-
pletion of the study required under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall submit a report to Congress summarizing the 
findings of such study. 
Æ 
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