Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visits East Point to announce investments in urban farming
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in the metro Atlanta city of East Point on Wednesday to announce investments by the Biden Administration in urban farming and the growing of specialty crops.
Fifty-five states and U.S. territories will share in more than $79 million to support specialty crops, which in Georgia include citrus, eggplant and lima beans, among others.
The USDA is opening a Farm Service Agency, which are normally located in rural settings, to serve urban farming operations in the Atlanta area.
Secretary Vilsack spoke with “All Things Considered” about the programs, and how they help smaller farms.
“So it’s an opportunity among many to focus on fruits and vegetables, to focus on crops that don’t get as much attention as perhaps as the major commodity crops do but are equally important to keeping small and midsized producers thriving and in business,” said Vilsack.
Georgia’s portion of the specialty crops grant totals $1.4 million and Vilsack said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper will invest the funds to support Georgia’s burgeoning citrus industry.
Christopher Alston contributed to this report.
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