The NUag Initiative is coordinated by four organizations that will be able to combine their unique strengths and expert knowledge related to farm operations and food production in small and urban settings to meet the goals of this national, USDA supported project.
At its beginning in July 2023, Virginia State University’s Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP), an1890 Virginia land-grant institution, led the development of the National Urban Agricultural Initiative (NUag) program under the umbrella of USDA’s National Urban Innovative Community-Based Grant. This four-year venture intends to equip USDA FSA staff, national cooperators, and urban growers with the knowledge and tools needed to make the most of USDA agency services.
In a collaborative effort, VSU-SFOP, (T.I.M.E.),. and the USDA Farm Service Agency are leading the National Urban Farmer Program initiative, laying down evidence-based resources and best practices for states to shape their regional urban farmer programs.
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE),: is building an in depth curriculum for USDA employees covering the history, benefits, and practices of urban agriculture operations.
Virginia Tech, Virginia’s 1862 land-grant institution, plays a role in the research and assessment for program events, engagement activities, and outcomes of the NUag Initiative.
To Improve Mississippi Economics (T.I.M.E.), based in Jackson, Mississippi, provides education and resources on urban agriculture through programs, hands-on experiences and public policy initiatives. T.I.M.E. works in partnership with organizations whose missions are to provide healthy produce from local farmers.
Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program
City/Region: Petersburg, VA (serving nationwide)
About: VSU’s Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP), part of Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University, educates and empowers small, limited-resource, socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers to own, operate and sustain farms and ranches independently with agricultural training programs that improve farm management skills and quality of life.
SFOP provides outreach and learning opportunities to small farmers for production management, financial and risk management, marketing, USDA assistance programs, and more. These opportunities are designed to improve farm profitability and promote sustainability. Currently, SFOP provides educational programming in 74 Virginia counties, which have the highest concentrations of limited-resource, socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers in the state.
NUag Project: Virginia State University’s Small Farm Outreach Program is working to create a national program for USDA FSA to assess the needs of urban farmers that will help equip the agency’s staff, especially those in the Urban County Committee areas, with the knowledge and skills needed to assist urban producers to successfully access and utilize FSA and other USDA programs and services. This work intends to increase the knowledge of urban ag growers about FSA programs and services, increase utilization of FSA farm operating and loan programs, and improve quality of life for urban communities across the United States.
Virginia Tech
City/Region: Blacksburg, VA (serving nationwide)
About: The Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation at Virginia Tech works at the nexus of food, agriculture, and society through a values-based and systems-approach to cultivate more resilient and socially just food systems in Virginia and beyond. The Center’s aim include:
- Developing dynamic co-learning partnerships across Virginia Tech and the Commonwealth of Virginia for improved collaboration among a diversity of stakeholders addressing the complexity of food system issues with emphasis on social equity and community sustainability.
- Launching community-based research initiatives that addresses historical and emergent issues related to healthy food access, farming system viability, ecological sustainability, and producer/food worker rights.
- Supporting community-university teaching and learning opportunities by leveraging existing, and creating new, service-based curriculum in food, farming, and community transformation.
NUag Project: As a NUag Initiative project coordinator, Virginia Tech is focused on assisting the needs of urban farmers, new/beginning, veteran, socially disadvantaged, and limited-resource producers with tools and skills needed for them to successfully access and utilize FSA programs and services. Their work to provide ongoing evaluation and assessment will help to ensure that activities of the NUag Initiative meet the needs of all participants through the use of culturally responsive, equitable, and transformative evaluation processes.
Cornell Cooperative Extension
City/Region: New York (serving nationwide)
About: Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability and social well-being.
Rooted in every county of the state, we bring local experience and research-based solutions together, helping New York state families and communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) connects communities with research from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Human Ecology to enrich and empower New York state neighbors, local businesses, towns and cities.
With a presence in all New York state counties and the five boroughs of New York City, local CCE offices provide programming and resources tailored to the needs of their communities.
NUag Project: Cornell will utilize their expertise to gather information from individuals working within USDA FSA, Urban County Committee Offices, and in other government agencies that support urban agriculture. This feedback will provide direction for an online training that will be developed as part of the NUag Initiative.
T.I.M.E. Inc.
City/Region: Jackson, MS (serving nationwide)
About: T.I.M.E. (To Improve Mississippi Economics) provides education and resources about urban agriculture and supports mental health and wellness in the community. They promote healthy nutrition and support the foundation of our community (food) by partnering with organizations who share their goal of providing healthy produce from our local farmers. In 2023, T.I.M.E. helped over 1,000 individuals in its community improve their mental health, healthy eating, and sustainability through urban agriculture.
NUag Project: T.I.M.E.’s Urban Farm Outreach Program will act as a partner with USDA Farm Service Agency to develop a National Urban Farmer Demonstration Program. T.I.M.E. proposes to work with stakeholders in educating and training FSA and urban producers by introducing them to local food systems. The organization will lead this effort by providing direction and support for up to 11 pilot Urban County Committee (UCOC) locations across the United States, expanding the reach of the NUag Initiative in that region.
National Cooperators
Organizations working to support efforts in urban agriculture production, innovation, and expansion are participating in the NUag Initiative to share their experiences and provide firsthand knowledge about the needs and challenges for urban farmers in their cities. They will work directly with new and existing producers to help them access USDA services that align with urban farming.
