US House of Representatives Committee member Bobby El Rush, a member of the council’s agricultural committee, announced the launch of two new programs to strengthen urban agriculture in communities across the country. Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online.
The $ 20 million annual Urban Protection Reduction Program ensures equitable long-term access to urban land for food production and maintenance and agricultural use. The Urban Agricultural Micro Entrepreneurs Assistance Program, approved for $ 3 million annually, provides micro-loans and grants to support the development and continued success of urban agricultural micro-enterprises. The law provides $ 15 million annually for the Community Food Project assistance program designed to combat food insecurity in low-income communities.
“Urban agriculture is the future of agriculture, and Chicago is already leading the way,” says Reporter Rush. “This law provides the necessary incentives for urban agricultural programs throughout the country, allowing individuals to protect urban land and provide financial support to urban agricultural enterprises. Investing in urban agriculture will help us make great strides in addressing food insecurity and public health issues in many communities in Chicago, especially in color communities. I am proud to be a city agricultural champion on the council’s agricultural committee, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this law forward.
Read the full article at www.chicagodefender.com.