Sec. 4. Urban agriculture development
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In this section, the term Director means the Director of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. The Secretary shall provide for the assignment of a farm number (as defined in section 718.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act)) for rooftop farms, indoor farms, and other urban farms, as determined by the Secretary. In this subsection, the term eligible entity means— a community organization; a nonprofit organization; a unit of local government; a Tribal government; any school that serves any of grades kindergarten through grade 12; and an institution of higher education.
The Director may award competitive grants to eligible entities to support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production. In awarding grants under this subsection, priority shall be given to an eligible entity that uses and provides an evaluation of a grant received under this subsection— to plan and construct gardens or nonprofit farms; to operate community gardens or nonprofit farms that— produce food for donation; have a demonstrated environmental benefit and educational component; and are part of community efforts to address local food security needs; to educate a community on— issues relating to food systems, including connections between rural farmers and urban communities; nutrition; environmental impacts, including pollinator health, soil fertility, composing, heat islands, and storm water runoff; and agricultural production, including pest and disease management; and to provide multiple small dollar equity investments to help offset start-up costs relating to new production, land access, and equipment for new and beginning farmers who— develop a 3-year business plan; live in the community in which they plan to farm; and provide a match to the start-up investment in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program for not fewer than 5 years that establishes 10 county committees in accordance with section 8(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act ( 16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)(B) ) to operate in counties located in urban or suburban areas with a high concentration of urban or suburban farms. Nothing in this paragraph requires or precludes the establishment of a Farm Service Agency office in a county in which a county committee is established under subparagraph (A).
For fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year 2023, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing a summary of— the status of the pilot program under subparagraph (A); meetings and other activities of the committees established under that subparagraph; and the types and volume of assistance and services provided to farmers in counties in which county committees are established under that subparagraph.
The Secretary, acting through the Director (referred to in this paragraph as the Secretary ), shall carry out pilot projects under which the Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements with local or municipal governments in not fewer than 10 States to develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. Under a cooperative agreement entered into under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide assistance to municipalities, counties, local governments, or city planners, as appropriate, to carry out planning and implementing activities that will— generate compost; increase access to compost for agricultural producers; reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer; improve soil quality; encourage waste management and permaculture business development; increase rainwater absorption; reduce municipal food waste; and divert food waste from landfills.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish criteria for the selection of pilot projects under this paragraph. In selecting a pilot project under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to an application for a pilot project that— anticipates or demonstrates economic benefits; incorporates plans to make compost easily accessible to agricultural producers, including community gardeners; integrates other food waste strategies, including food recovery efforts; and provides for collaboration with multiple partners.
The recipient of assistance for a pilot project under this paragraph shall provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both from sources other than funds provided through the grant in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant. The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot projects funded under this paragraph to assess different solutions for increasing access to compost and reducing municipal food waste, including an evaluation of— the amount of Federal funds used for each project; and a measurement of the outcomes of each project.
In this paragraph, the term eligible entity means— a nonprofit organization; an agriculture cooperative or business; a producer network or association; a community health organization; a public benefit corporation; an economic development corporation; a community supported agriculture program; an institution of higher education; and a State, local, or Tribal agency. The Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Director, shall make competitive grants to eligible entities to conduct pilot projects that strengthen marketplace links between— healthy food consumption and good environmental practices; and direct public health outcomes.
In selecting pilot projects to receive grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall— support pilot projects that— develop innovative marketing and incentive approaches to improve purchases of healthy foods; have demonstrated community and partnership support from local planning entities; use strategies that improve the use of agricultural producer conservation practices and improve environmental efficiencies; and provide to communities evidence-based nutrition and environmental education; and give priority to pilot projects that— are located in— underserved communities; or identified food deserts; equally target good conservation practices and healthy food consumption; demonstrate strong urban, suburban, and rural linkages; and provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables.
The Secretary shall ensure that not fewer than 2 pilot projects are located in each of the following: Urban communities. Rural communities. Peri-urban communities. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter.
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Sec. 4
Urban agriculture development
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