Bennie G. Thompson
10/10/2024 | Press release | Archived content
Congressman Thompson Announces Nearly $9 Million USDA Investment to Support Urban Agricultural Producers
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BOLTON, MS- Congressman Bennie Thompson is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing nearly $9 million in funding to local organizations across the country to provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to urban agricultural producers in ten U.S. cities. This investment is part of a partnership between USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the organization To Improve Mississippi Economics (T.I.M.E.) to administer an urban farm outreach program.
The program will offer subawards to community groups working with producers in cities where FSA has established Urban County Committees. This initiative is part of a broader $40 million investment made possible through President Biden's American Rescue Plan, aimed at supporting urban agriculture and strengthening local food systems. The Widget Business Training Company of Jackson, Mississippi is the only organization from the MS Second Congressional District to receive a subaward. This organization will play a crucial role in assisting urban agricultural producers by providing necessary resources, knowledge, and connections to strengthen urban farming initiatives. This program underscores the USDA's ongoing commitment to ensuring equitable access to federal programs and enhancing food security across urban communities. |