Be the Link: Driving Positive Change

By Mary Kirby, Farm Service Agency

It's time once again for the USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) annual county committee elections. We're introducing you to current committee members across the nation throughout the nomination period, which runs now through Aug. 1, 2024. This week, meet Alicia Nesbary Moore of Chicago.

The Perfect Solution

Alicia's passion for agriculture blossomed during graduate school where her thesis focused on cereal crop genomics.

"I struggled to find my path as a scientist, wanting my work to directly benefit my community," she said. "Urban agriculture provided the perfect solution, allowing me to apply my scientific knowledge while serving my community."

Alicia began farming in 2018. Her operation, Herban Produce, is located on Chicago's west side. The two-acre urban farm focuses on growing specialty produce. Additionally, the farm offers a variety of products and services, including a farm store, event space rentals, farm dinners, as well as gardening and wellness classes. They also offer an option for visitors to come stay at the farm.

Seeing Change

The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to establish county committees specifically focused on urban agriculture. Chicago is now one of several cities with an urban FSA county committee, which works to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices. Additionally, these committees may address areas such as food access, community engagement, support of local activities to promote and encourage community compost and food waste reduction.

Alicia has served on the Chicago urban county committee since 2023. Each year, FSA accepts nominations for a certain Local Administrative Area (LAA) and the LAA up for election rotates each year.

"I quickly realized that to see the changes I desired as an urban grower, I needed to be more actively involved in every way possible," Alicia said. "My experience and knowledge are valuable, and I am committed to using them to drive positive change in the urban agriculture community."

Setting the Standard

As a newly elected committee member, Alicia found her role initially was understanding all that FSA offers to urban farmers. She and the other members of the committee reach out to other urban growers to help them get started with FSA, including establishing farm numbers, and utilizing programs available to them.

"The realm of urban agriculture is incredibly varied," she said. "I hope that our efforts set the standard for further growth and development of programs for specialty growers and micro farms."

Alicia encourages other producers, urban and rural, to consider serving on a county committee.

"We need your voice. The landscape of farming is changing as people become more aware of how we can serve our communities through agriculture," Alicia said. "Whether you represent a traditional farm, a community farm, or a non-profit organization, your voice matters."

More Information

For more information on FSA county committee elections, contact your local FSA office or visit fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Mary Kirbyis the outreach and communications coordinator for FSA in Illinois.

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