US: New JAFSCD brief highlights need for investment in urban agricullture

In a new commentary published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD), authors Hagan Capnerhurst of Michigan Food and Farming Systems, Hannah Quigley of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and Jake Hawes of the University of Wyoming (UW), emphasize the vital role of urban agriculture in fostering local food sovereignty, driving economic development, and enhancing community well-being.

Hannah Quigley, NSAC Policy Specialist said: "Despite the significant growth of urban farming, federal support has not kept pace, with funding remaining critically low in relation to the pressing needs of urban growers."

Since the establishment of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production in the 2018 Farm Bill, federal funding has been substantially below its authorized level, limiting the capacity to support this burgeoning sector. The authors highlight the urgent need for Congress to expand federal investment and stabilize funding for urban agriculture.

Jake Hawes, Assistant Professor at UW stated: "Despite overwhelming evidence for urban agriculture's social and economic benefits, the practice has struggled to gain federal support. Among other things, we wrote this brief to highlight recent research on synergies between social, economic, and environmental benefits from urban agriculture. Available funding and supportive policy foster longer-lasting urban agriculture facilities, which can employ sustainable practices that reduce carbon emissions and decrease dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides."

The commentary highlights the opportunity for Congress to expand federal support and stabilize funding for urban agriculture. Key recommendations include increasing permanent funding to at least $10 million annually, increasing tailored technical assistance and conservation planning for urban producers, implementing the Urban and Innovative Agriculture Data Collection Initiative, and securing land tenure for urban farms to prevent displacement and preserve vital resources.

Hagan Capnerhurst, Michigan Food and Farming Systems shares: "As urban agriculture continues to grow, it presents a crucial opportunity for federal policymakers to fully recognize, support, and invest in urban farms as the critical food production spaces they are. The commentary urges Congress to acknowledge the importance of agriculture to urban communities and economies, its role in fostering resilience in urban food systems, and its potential to affect food systems and economies across the nation."

The full brief can be found at the link here.