This bill strengthens the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production by expanding its responsibilities and funding. The office will now help farmers with business incorporation, local zoning navigation, and connecting urban producers to state and local resources, while also promoting conservation techniques specific to urban farming. The bill establishes a grant program awarding competitive funding to nonprofits, local governments, schools, and agricultural organizations to support urban farms, rooftop gardens, vertical farms, hydroponics, and other innovative food production methods, with priority given to entities serving disadvantaged communities and areas with limited access to fresh food. Funding escalates from $15 million in fiscal year 2024 to $50 million by 2028, totaling $157 million over the five-year period. The legislation also directs the National Agricultural Statistics Service to collect and report data on urban and indoor farming operations starting within 90 days of enactment and biennially thereafter, with $14 million authorized for this data collection effort through 2028.
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