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urban agriculture legislation
So let it be
written
NOVEL LEGISLATION IN THE US
URBAN AGRICULTURE MOVEMENT
The term “urban agriculture” has traditionally
been used to describe small-scale, grassroots
gardening operations that supply local charities
and farm-to-table restaurants. However, as the
landscape of modern agriculture evolves and
comes to utilize indoor gardening and hydroponic
technologies in the production of fresh foods
within city environments, urban farming is
beginning to garner more mainstream attention.
So, why don’t urban farmers receive some of the
same government assistance as rural farmers?
Turns out, that may be changing.
T
he farming industry in the United States is a proud
tradition. For many, the ideals of hard work and
self-sufficiency that go hand-in-hand with farming
define what it is to be an American. While the underlying
principles of the American farmer may remain relatively
unaltered throughout generations, agribusiness—like
any other business—is largely shaped by the influences
of governments, technologies, and economies. In the
last century, technological advancements coupled with
globalized trade have drastically changed the landscape
of the farming industry in the US. To this end, the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set in place
a variety of welfare programs to ensure the financial
success of farmers as well as the affordability of food for
the US population. Under the Farm Bill, these government
programs support farmers with free education, financial
assistance, conservation incentives, insurance programs,
and economic development.
Urban farmers don’t receive the same sort of government
protections seen with traditional agriculture. For reasons
such as this, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has
proposed an Urban Agriculture Act and an Office of Urban
Agriculture to help regulate and sustain this largely
artisanal movement in modern crop production. The Urban
Agriculture Act sets forth to provide government-subsidized
services and programs for the urban farming sector.
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grow cycle
by Kent Gruetzmacher