The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in partnership with the Cornell Small Farms Program and Rooted has developed the Promise of Urban Agriculture courses to provide critical information for building or supporting successful commercial urban farms. The Promise of Urban Agriculture courses represent an innovative and holistic approach to support robust urban farming businesses and communities by addressing city planners, policymakers, and farmers alike.
The courses, now available on the Cornell Small Farms Program website, educate participants through unique video content and materials about topics including, Accessing Urban Land for Farming, Urban Farm Planning and Management, and Sources of Urban Farm Income. Upon completion of these courses, participants will know the important factors involved in building viable urban farms, understand relevant policy and planning tools, be aware of economic opportunities and risks, and distinguish between effective nonprofit and for-profit business structures.
This project is informed by The Promise of Urban Agriculture, a 2019 national study of commercial farming in urban areas conducted by AMS and the Cornell Small Farms Program. This study interviewed urban growers, planners, and other experts across the United States to investigate how commercial urban agriculture thrives. With this information, the project team created The Promise of Urban Agriculture courses, educating both growers and planners, on urban agriculture and the impact of city plans and policies. The Promise of Urban Agriculture courses are available online at the Cornell Small Farms Program website and are free to those who register for the courses in the first six months (July 22, 2024 – January 24, 2025). Following those six months, participants will be charged a nominal fee.
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