from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
|
|
JAFSCD is the world’s only community-supported journal. JAFSCD content is open access (free) thanks to the generous support of our shareholders: the JAFSCD Shareholder Consortium, Library Shareholders, a growing number of Individual Shareholders, and our six JAFSCD Partners: |
|
|
JAFSCD policy brief by Kristin Reynolds (The New School), Cédric Gottfried (The New School), and Tamarra Thomas (Independent Scholar; and The New School)
Urban agriculture has long been practiced in the U.S. by socially disadvantaged and low-income people for the purposes of subsistence, community, and resilience. Government support for urban agriculture, however, has waxed and waned, including in city and federal policy. The 2018 farm bill established the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) with the mission to encourage and promote “urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices.”
The inclusion of urban agriculture in federal agricultural policy was a welcome change for many urban farmers and gardeners who had long sought recognition of urban production. Yet, historical discriminatory policies and practices on the part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have led some farmers and advocates to be wary, and may suggest reticence to engage with USDA programs.
In a new JAFSCD policy brief, Racial equity and the USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture granting program and urban offices, Kristin Reynolds, Cédric Gottfried, and Tamarra Thomas share key findings and policy recommendations from a 2023–2024 study that sought to understand the roll-out of the OUAIP and connected programs through a racial equity lens. The study was supported through the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center (The Policy Center) at Alcorn State University. The authors conclude the brief noting the broader application of the recommendations in 2025 and beyond. Corresponding author Kristin Reynolds can be contacted at reynoldk@newschool.edu.
KEY FINDINGS
Finding 1 - Across the study’s surveys and interviews, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFR)/Minority participants were less connected to USDA agencies and programs than were Non-SDFR/Minority participants.
Finding 2 - Many study participants discussed the importance of having USDA agency staff and Urban County Committee members reflect the racial and ethnic composition of the communities that they serve.
Finding 3 - Among some USDA participants in this study, there was awareness of historical USDA discrimination, though at different levels, with some taking proactive steps to confront these legacies. -
Finding 4 - USDA limitations on use of external communication tools placed constraints on outreach to urban SDFRs/Minorities and urban producers, though community-based strategies were used by some USDA staff to reach such communities.
Finding 5 - Some study participants discussed multiple barriers when applying, or considering to apply, for USDA grants and/or attempting to access assistance from USDA.
Finding 6 - We observed a lack of clarity in terms of how USDA defines urban agriculture and whether specific agencies serving urban producers are best suited to do so.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH The research-based policy recommendations from this study are: Implement OUAIP-wide education and action on USDA legacies of discrimination to confront gaps observed in the study. Cultivate systematic understanding of urban agriculture and innovative production within, and across the OUAIP.
Reduce administrative hurdles in the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production grant program and increase technical assistance with grant writing for urban SDFRs/Minorities.
Reconsider the institutional location of Urban Service Centers and Urban County Offices created as part of the roll-out of the 2018 Farm Bill urban agriculture provisions.
Ensure that Urban Service Center leadership, staff, and the Urban County Committees represent the demographics of the urban farming and gardening communities that they serve.
Improve and modernize communication and outreach to more effectively connect with urban SDFRs.
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
A new policy brief published in @JAFSCD shares findings and policy recommendations from a study examining the USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production and connected programs through a racial equity lens. @TheNewSchool #policybrief #urbanag #racialequity Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2024.141.025
|
Photo above: A fig tree grows in the Bronx, New York, USA; photo by Tamarra Thomas, 2024. |
|
|
Building Strong Retail Systems for Local Farmers and Local Food
With about one dozen farm stops now successfully up and running and several more approaching launch, we believe now is the perfect time to gather, learn from one another, share best practices, and envision the role we’d like to see farm stops play in our local food ecosystems.
Whether you operate a farm stop already, or think that you may one day want to open one in your community, our goal is to provide content useful to you as you move forward. With that in mind, we are putting together an ambitious slate of local food thought leaders, and planning a full lineup of panels on everything from fundraising and marketing, to farm relations and merchandising, while also leaving plenty of time for networking.
Speakers and panelists include Philip Ackerman-Leist, John Ikerd, Kate Krauss, Debra Tropp, Michelle Miller, Kathryn Barr, and many others. |
|
|
POSITION OPENINGS FROM JAFSCD SHAREHOLDERS |
|
|
NOTE >> Deadline approaching — apply by January 24!
The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky (TFC) is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct applied research on value chain coordination (VCC) in local and regional food systems. This is a unique and high-impact postdoctoral researcher position, created in partnership with TFC, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local and Regional Foods Division (LRFD), and the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD). The postdoctoral researcher will lead a novel multi-institution research initiative that results in scholarly publications, stakeholder-facing technical assistance resources, and policy recommendations at local, regional, and national scales.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY |
|
|
The successful candidate will develop and lead externally funded research and extension programs that support and strengthen the viability of the New Jersey agricultural sector and individual farms. Through active engagement with the agricultural community, the Specialist will identify existing and emerging opportunities and needs, conduct applied research to assess what technical assistance and policies would help farmers take advantage of these opportunities, and provide educational outreach in the agricultural community across different scales of operation, commodities, and production systems.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY |
|
|
The Department of Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology, and Education (AESE) at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking candidates for an Extension Program Specialist who will conduct Extension programs, develop enterprise budgets, and create and update publications for the Penn State “Ag Alternative” series. The role includes supporting research projects and offering expert advice on risk management. The candidate will effectively build solid connections with stakeholders and their organizations. This position requires a master’s degree plus three years of relevant experience or equivalent work experience.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY |
| |
SUPPORT JAFSCD THROUGH YOUR LIBRARY!
|
|
|
|
If you are affiliated with a college or university and want to support JAFSCD, now is the time of year when libraries order new journal subscriptions. |
|
|
How do I know if my library already contributes? Check the list here (scroll down on the page).
Isn't JAFSCD open access and free? It is! But we are a community-supported journal. Libraries contribute to become JAFSCD Library Shareholders instead of buying a subscription — keeping JAFSCD free to all instead of buying access just for their faculty and students. Think of us as the CSA of journals!
Considering submitting a manuscript to JAFSCD? If your institution is a JAFSCD Shareholder, you benefit by having our $750 APC waived automatically.
How do I recommend JAFSCD to my library? Tell your librarian why JAFSCD is important to your work, and send them this link to learn more! |
|
|
This email is sent to you as a notification of the newest JAFSCD articles and other occasional JAFSCD news. |
|
JAFSCD is an open access, community-supported journal! Your library, program, or organization can become a shareholder to help keep JAFSCD's content available to all, regardless of their resources. We welcome anyone to become an individual shareholder; donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
|
|
|
|
