USDA plans new resource center for Philly’s urban farmers to diversify growth
Philadelphia will get a service center with USDA employees on hand to help urban farmers as part of the Biden-Harris administration economic development plan.
By Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza
Why
July 21, 2023
Excerpt:
Philadelphia is also getting a new urban service center, which is a brick-and-mortar office with USDA employees to help small farmers across the city. The goal is to encourage urban farms to diversify their business model and supply directly to institutional buyers from prisons to schools – cutting out the middleman.
“They will be able to provide financial and technical assistance to folks who are interested in establishing an urban garden, a people’s garden, and a local and regional food system,” said Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program is getting another $10.7 million boost nationwide.
FarmerJawn’s nonprofit is seeking to “reintroduce farming into the lifestyles of urban people” and give them the knowledge to start their own farm.
