New York Mayor Adams Appoints Qiana Mickie As Director Of New Mayor’s Office Of Urban Agriculture
“New York City can lead the world in next generation urban agriculture that is not only about innovative technology and smart investment but also more importantly focused on strengthening food access, justice, and security.”
The Official Website of the City of New York
September 23, 2022
(Must see. Mike)
Excerpt:
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of Qiana Mickie as director of the newly-created Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture. As director, Mickie will oversee the administration’s efforts to support, strengthen, and expand the city’s network of community gardens and urban farms, in alignment with Mayor Adams’ vision for a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable city. The announcement comes as the administration celebrates Climate Week.
“Making our cityscape greener isn’t just a slogan — it’s a centerpiece of our agenda,” said Mayor Adams. “Urban agriculture is a growing industry in our city that has the potential to expand the supply of healthy and locally grown food, create jobs, and make our city more resilient. Qiana brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role, and as director of the new Office of Urban Agriculture, she will play an integral role in advancing my food and sustainability agenda.”
Mayor Adams has long promoted the growth of urban agriculture. As Brooklyn borough president, he invested millions of dollars in capital funding into vertical farming and hydroponics labs in schools throughout the borough. In 2021, he released the New Agrarian Economy, a policy blueprint for the future of urban agriculture. Through the creation of the new Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture — which signals the mayor’s commitment to supporting the city’s urban farmers — the administration will continue to advance policies to promote the growth of this burgeoning sector.
“Qiana Mickie’s experience in urban agriculture and perspective on equity is an excellent match for this new office,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “The Mayor‘s Office of Urban Agriculture will play an exciting role in shaping the future of the city’s greenscape and food system policies.”
