By Jamie Martin
The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has recently implemented crucial updates to the acreage reporting process, significantly benefiting urban and innovative producers across the country. These changes are designed to facilitate easier participation in various USDA programs by accommodating the unique needs of small-scale and urban farms.
“Through USDA’s urban agriculture initiative and the opening of USDA offices within urban settings, our Farm Service Agency offices are more frequently engaging with urban and innovative producers,” said Zach Ducheneaux, FSA Administrator. He highlighted that these improvements are particularly aimed at simplifying the reporting process for urban farmers, reflecting the scope of their operations more accurately.
Previously, the acreage reporting software allowed for the documentation of land as small as .0001 acres, roughly equivalent to a four-square-foot area.
With the new updates, producers can now report on plots as small as .000001 acre, about the size of a 2.5-inch square, thus supporting even the smallest urban garden spaces.
Additionally, the updates facilitate the reporting of various innovative farming practices, such as multi-level or vertical farming, and the use of multi-layer growing structures like panels or towers within a container system. This adaptability in reporting standards recognizes and encourages the diverse methods used in modern agriculture, especially in urban settings.
The FSA’s enhancements are part of a broader effort to integrate urban and innovative agricultural practices into the mainstream agricultural framework of the United States. These changes not only recognize the growing importance of urban agriculture but also ensure that urban farmers receive the support and recognition they need to thrive within the agricultural community.
With the establishment of new Urban Service Centers and increased investments in urban agriculture, the USDA continues to show its commitment to supporting farms of all sizes and locations, thereby fostering a more inclusive and diversified agricultural sector.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National