Policy Resolution AGR-18-20
WHEREAS, urban agriculture has numerous health, economic, and social benefits that can help transform individuals and communities;
WHEREAS, governmental and non-governmental entities have turned to urban agriculture in workforce development, education, and therapy programs;
WHEREAS, urban agriculture is a collaborative effort that can create positive changes in individual lives through leadership development, teamwork, personal responsibility, and a sense of ownership and pride;
WHEREAS, urban agriculture can improve individual health outcomes by decreasing depression, promoting pro-social behavior, and increasing nutritional education;
WHEREAS, promoting urban agriculture can create healthier people with fewer medical needs;
WHEREAS, urban agriculture benefits the community by creating safe, productive, and green environments in areas that are often neglected, abandoned, or underserved;
WHEREAS, local food sales in the U.S. grew from $5 billion to $12 billion between 2008 and 2014 and urban agriculture allows for local growers to benefit from this demand;
WHEREAS, federal agencies, such as the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA), recognize the importance of agriculture to the development of health and wealth in the Black communities and have established programs like USDA/1890 National Scholars Program to increase the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines; and
WHEREAS, legislators can do more to promote the study of urban agriculture and share its positive effects with the communities we represent.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports increasing the promotion of urban agriculture in education and workforce development;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL work with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to share the achievements of USDA/1890 Scholars;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL promote policies that use urban agriculture as a health and wealth model; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NBCSL send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.
- SPONSOR(s): Senator Lena Taylor (WI), Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), Senator Anastasia Pittman (OK), Delegate Angela Angel (MD) and Representative Helen Miller (IA)
- Committee of Jurisdiction: Agriculture and Conservation Policy Committee
- Certified by Committee Chair(s): Representative Helen Miller (IA) and Representative John Rogers (AL)
- Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 2, 2017
- Ratification is certified by: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN), President