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.”

Committee members are agricultural producers and representatives from the areas of higher education or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing. 

Nominations

Four positions are open for nominations, in varying specialties.

Interested parties must submit a nomination package that includes:

Nomination packages must be submitted by email to [email protected] or postmarked by July 15, 2023. Mailed packages should be addressed to the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 4627-S, Washington, D.C. 20250. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals for membership, including self-nominations. 

Additional details are available in the Federal Register notice.

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.