I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5616 
To promote and enhance urban agricultural production and agricultural 
research in urban areas, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 
Ms. KAPTUR (for herself, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. MOORE, Ms. NORTON, Ms. MAT-
SUI, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. 
CONYERS, and Mr. YOUNG of Alaska) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred 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’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
Sec. 3. Urban agriculture outreach program. 
Sec. 4. Covering urban farmers and ranchers under Office of Advocacy and 
Outreach. 
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Sec. 5. Urban agriculture research initiative. 
Sec. 6. Amending agriculture programs. 
Sec. 7. Improving agricultural reporting. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Dramatic economic, demographic, and land 
use changes have created pockets of arable land suit-
able for agricultural production in and around urban 
areas of the United States. 
(2) Advances in agricultural practices make 
production possible in and around urban areas that 
were previously cordoned off from agricultural pro-
duction. 
(3) There is a disconnect between daily urban 
life and food production that urban agriculture can 
help address. 
(4) According to the Economic Research Serv-
ice of the Department of Agriculture, direct sales of 
agricultural products have grown to $1,200,000,000 
with 89 percent of all sales coming from farms in 
urban metropolitan and adjacent areas. 
(5) It is imperative to ensure that urban agri-
cultural production remains a viable option to help 
meet the food production needs of the future. 
SEC. 3. URBAN AGRICULTURE OUTREACH PROGRAM. 
(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Agri-
culture shall establish an urban agriculture outreach pro-
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gram under which the Secretary shall award grants to eli-
gible entities to support outreach activities for any of the 
following: 
(1) Infrastructure, including distribution sys-
tems to support new or expanded agricultural pro-
duction in and around urban areas (as defined in 
section 226B(a) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934(a))). 
(2) Land acquisition and land conversion to 
support new or expanded agricultural production in 
and around urban areas, including in and around 
brownfields and other underutilized tracts of land. 
(3) Education and training to enhance agricul-
tural production in and around urban areas. 
(4) Providing assistance to farmers or ranchers 
in urban areas with respect to the aggregation of the 
farmer’s or rancher’s products and supplies for pur-
poses of transportation to market. 
(5) Other activities that support urban agricul-
tural production as determined by the Secretary. 
(b) TERM OF GRANT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The term of a grant award-
ed under this section shall be not less than one year. 
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(2) RENEWALS.—A grant awarded under this 
section may be renewed at the discretion of the Sec-
retary. 
(c) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall give a preference to eligible enti-
ties seeking a grant for outreach activities to be carried 
out in historically underserved communities (as defined by 
the Secretary). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means— 
(A) a community organization; 
(B) a nonprofit organization; 
(C) a municipality; 
(D) a local educational agency (as defined 
in section 9101 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
7801)); 
(E) an institution of higher education (as 
defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
7801)); or 
(F) any other entity as determined by the 
Secretary of Agriculture. 
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(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and each fiscal year 
thereafter. 
SEC. 4. COVERING URBAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS 
UNDER OFFICE OF ADVOCACY AND OUT-
REACH. 
Section 226B of the Department of Agriculture Reor-
ganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the 
following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(4) URBAN
AREA.—The term ‘urban area’ 
means an area within a Metropolitan Statistical 
Area (as defined by the Office of Management and 
Budget). 
‘‘(5) URBAN FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term 
‘urban farmer or rancher’ means a farmer or ranch-
er who owns or operates a farm or ranch in an 
urban area.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) 
as clauses (iii) and (iv), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after clause (i) the fol-
lowing new clause: 
‘‘(ii) urban farmers or ranchers;’’; 
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(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘and socially disadvantaged farmers 
or ranchers’’ and inserting ‘‘socially disadvan-
taged farmers or ranchers, and urban farmers 
or ranchers’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or so-
cially disadvantaged’’ and inserting ‘‘socially 
disadvantaged, or urban’’; 
(C) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and so-
cially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers’’ and 
inserting ‘‘socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers, and urban farmers or ranchers’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (6), by inserting ‘‘di-
rectly’’ after ‘‘programs’’; 
(4) by redesignating subsection (f) as sub-
section (g); and 
(5) by inserting after subsection (e) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(f) URBAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS GROUP.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish within the Office the Urban Farmers and 
Ranchers Group. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.— 
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Urban Farmers 
and Ranchers Group shall be composed of— 
‘‘(i) seven employees of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, each of whom shall 
represent a distinct mission area of the 
Department; and 
‘‘(ii) such other officers or employees 
of the United States as the Secretary de-
termines are necessary. 
‘‘(B) PAY.—Officers and employees of the 
United States shall not receive additional com-
pensation for service as a member of the Group. 
‘‘(3) 
DUTIES.—The 
Urban 
Farmers 
and 
Ranchers Group shall— 
‘‘(A) carry out and administer the urban 
agriculture outreach program established under 
section 3 of the Urban Agriculture Production 
Act; 
‘‘(B) establish and administer an informa-
tion clearinghouse on agricultural activities in 
urban areas, including best practices; 
‘‘(C) consult with public and private 
groups, including research institutions, on how 
to enhance agricultural production in urban 
areas; and 
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‘‘(D) provide technical assistance to urban 
farmers and ranchers to assist such farmers 
and ranchers (including urban gardeners)— 
‘‘(i) in identifying appropriate land, 
space, or buildings for lease or purchase; 
‘‘(ii) in preparing loan applications, 
identifying appropriate funding sources, 
and by connecting such farmers and ranch-
ers with loan officers and other appro-
priate personnel; 
‘‘(iii) in connecting to the network of 
farmers’ markets throughout the United 
States; 
‘‘(iv) in diversifying the marketing 
plans of the farmers’ or ranchers’ products 
by encouraging the formation of commu-
nity-supported agriculture groups and di-
rect wholesale opportunities; 
‘‘(v) by providing for business develop-
ment and management activities, including 
professional development activities; 
‘‘(vi) with understanding and navi-
gating municipal laws, regulations, ordi-
nances, and policies with respect to obtain-
ing permits, zoning, and water access; 
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‘‘(vii) with registering the farming 
business of such farmers or ranchers, sat-
isfying any legal requirements applicable to 
such registration (including obtaining li-
censes and registrations), and organizing 
an appropriate business structure; and 
‘‘(viii) in establishing relationships 
with a wide range of field partners and in 
finding resources to assist such farmers or 
ranchers achieve efficient and viable pro-
duction.’’. 
SEC. 5. URBAN AGRICULTURE RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
award grants, on a competitive basis, for scientific re-
search on promoting and enhancing agricultural produc-
tion in urban areas (as defined in section 226B(a) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6934(a))), including, with respect to improving 
production efficiency, production, and profitability— 
(1) marketing new innovations and tech-
nologies; 
(2) methods to protect crops and agricultural 
products from pests and disease; 
(3) methods to enhance food safety related to 
production; and 
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(4) other research areas the Secretary deter-
mines are appropriate. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days 
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 Internet site of the Department of Agri-
culture, a report summarizing the research conducted 
under subsection (a). 
(c) FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity Cred-
it Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry 
out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 
through 2018. 
SEC. 6. AMENDING AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS. 
(a) EXPANSION OF THE FARMERS’ MARKET PRO-
MOTION PROGRAM.— 
(1) PROMOTION PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT.— 
Section 6(a) of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct 
Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005(a)) is 
amended— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, loans, or loan guaran-
tees’’ after ‘‘make grants’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or activities’’ after 
‘‘projects’’; and 
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(C) by striking ‘‘development of local food 
business enterprises.’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘development of local food business en-
terprises, 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; 
‘‘(4) projects for the purchase, acquisition, and 
rehabilitation of land or property for use as a farm-
ers’ market; 
‘‘(5) activities carried out through agri-tourism 
initiatives; 
‘‘(6) marketing and advertising activities; 
‘‘(7) transportation and delivery activities; 
‘‘(8) education and outreach and activities to 
encourage farmers’ markets participation in Federal 
and State food and nutrition assistance programs; 
‘‘(9) business development and management ac-
tivities, including professional development activities; 
‘‘(10) projects for the establishment of satellite 
locations of existing farmers’ markets designed to in-
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crease sales in areas not easily accessible through 
traditional transportation; and 
‘‘(11) activities carried out through planning 
and feasibility initiatives for new or expanding farm-
ers’ markets.’’. 
(2) PURPOSES.—Section 6 of the Farmer-to- 
Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 
3005) is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (b); and 
(B) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), 
and (e) as subsections (b), (c), and (d), respec-
tively. 
(3) ELIGIBILITY.—Subsection (b) of section 6 
of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 
1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005) (as so redesignated) is 
amended— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by inserting ‘‘, loan, or loan guarantee’’ after 
‘‘grant’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (1) and insert-
ing the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(1) a State government agency;’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘agen-
cy’’ after ‘‘government’’; 
(D) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5); 
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(E) by inserting after paragraph (3) the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) an operator of a farmers’ market;’’; and 
(F) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and 
(7) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively. 
(4) PRIORITIES.—Subsection (d)(1) of section 6 
of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 
1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005), as redesignated by paragraph 
(2)(B), is amended by inserting ‘‘or an urban area 
(as defined in section 226B(a) of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6934(a)))’’ after ‘‘regionally grown foods’’. 
(5) INTEREST
RATE; 
APPLICATION; 
CONDI-
TION.—Section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct 
Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005), as amended 
by paragraph (2), is further amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsections (f) and 
(g) as subsections (h) and (i), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (d) (as 
redesignated by paragraph (2)(B)) the following 
new subsections: 
‘‘(e) INTEREST RATE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The interest rate on a loan 
under this section (other than a loan guarantee 
under this section) shall be as determined by the 
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Secretary, but not less than such rate as determined 
by the Secretary of the Treasury taking into consid-
eration the current average market yield on out-
standing marketable obligations of the United States 
with remaining periods to maturity comparable 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. 
‘‘(f) APPLICATION.—An eligible entity seeking a 
grant, loan, or loan guarantee under this section shall sub-
mit to the Secretary an application in such time and in 
such manner and containing such information as the Sec-
retary may require, including documentation dem-
onstrating the financial need of the entity. 
‘‘(g) CONDITION.—As a condition of receiving a 
grant, loan, or loan guarantee under this section, a recipi-
ent of such a grant, loan, or loan guarantee shall certify 
that the recipient will reserve, for the sale of locally pro-
duced food products (as determined by the Secretary) pro-
duced by farmers, ranchers, or aquaculture, mariculture, 
or fisheries operators, or by associations of farmers, 
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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 grant or loan funds 
will be used.’’. 
(6) FUNDING.—Subsection (i) of section 6 of 
the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 
1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005) (as redesignated by para-
graph (4)) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
‘‘each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 2014; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2015 through 2018.’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (4) and insert-
ing the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) EBT.—Not less than 10 percent of 
the funds used to carry out this section in a fis-
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