Ann Arbor Times

As Congress resumes, a coalition of advocates has released a policy brief urging lawmakers to enhance support for urban agriculture through a new version of the Farm Bill. This legislation has been stalled since its expiration in September 2023.

The brief is based on insights from urban agriculturalists and research conducted by the University of Michigan. It calls for full funding of the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production for the first time since its establishment six years ago.

The office was created with the passage of the Farm Bill in 2018 but did not receive funding until 2020, which was only 20% of its authorized level. The authors argue that increased support could amplify urban agriculture's social and economic benefits.

Jason “Jake” Hawes, an author of the policy brief and assistant professor at the University of Wyoming, stated: “It is possible to unlock extraordinary synergies between the environmental, economic and social benefits of urban agriculture, and this becomes even more likely if policy is supportive of it.”

Hawes earned his doctorate at U-M studying urban agriculture impacts. He co-authored the brief with members from Michigan Food and Farming Systems and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

The brief also aims to secure more reliable funding for technical support and data collection related to urban agriculture. Hawes noted: “Despite the incredible demand the office has seen for its programs, it has not been funded to the extent it was initially written for and this funding is conditional on repeated approval.”

Research led by Hawes highlighted challenges faced by urban producers in sustaining operations due to issues like land insecurity and soil pollution. Despite these hurdles, urban farms showed competitive greenhouse gas intensity per vegetable compared to conventional farms.

The research team found that with adequate support, solutions are available. Hawes explained: “In this brief, we explore ways that policy and planning have a role in supporting climate-friendly practices already developed by urban food growers.”

Funding offices that extend site lifespans can help offset startup costs and improve environmental impact. Long-term supported farms have shown reduced financial costs and carbon footprints through practices like material reuse and soil carbon retention.

Benjamin Goldstein, a co-author from U-M School for Environment and Sustainability, emphasized considering all factors when assessing urban agriculture's impact: “For example, our study showed that urban agriculture uses far less synthetic fertilizer.”

Enhancing technical assistance at USDA service centers could also promote conservation practices' access while lowering barriers to urban agriculture.

Hawes concluded: “If we learn from best practices today...and if we have appropriate funding...we can support systems good for communities...cities...and climate.”