From rooftop gardens to aquaponics centers in old warehouses to growing crops on abandoned properties, urban agriculture may provide many benefits to a community, including closer neighborhood ties, greater economic empowerment and self-sufficiency, education and job training opportunities, and greater access to fresh produce for low-income neighborhood residents.
AMS’s Marketing Services Division (MSD) has taken the lead at USDA in conducting groundbreaking analysis of promising commercially oriented urban agriculture practices in collaboration with Cornell University’s Small Farm Program. A final research report is currently in editorial clearance.
MSD’s staff architect and one of its marketing specialists also provide technical assistance regarding the use, cost-effectiveness and conservation benefits of green roofs/rooftop gardening.
The Department has also developed a general toolkit on available urban agriculture resources and services.