The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in partnership with the Cornell Small Farms Program and Rooted have launched the Promise of Urban Agriculture courses to provide critical information for building or supporting successful commercial urban farms.
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.
PUA 101: Deciding Where to Farm in the City discusses topics like assessing site suitability, understanding how municipalities regulate urban agriculture in an area, and making connections with the surrounding community. In this course, urban farmers provide first-hand accounts of their experience starting or expanding their urban farm and share recommendations and resources for anyone trying to start or scale their own urban farming business.
PUA 102: Urban Farm Planning and Management covers factors that contribute to an economically viable urban farm, including choosing a business model, knowing when to expand the farm, crop planning, analyzing markets, managing on-farm labor, and promoting a strong farm culture.
PUA 103: Urban Farming by Community Nonprofits is designed for nonprofit farm staff and members of community organizations that manage urban farms. It goes deeper into the specific concerns of operating an urban farm as a nonprofit including incorporating as a nonprofit, grant writing, and planning for financial viability.
PUA 201: Urban Agriculture Skills for Planners helps planners from any size city or municipality understand how urban agriculture is affected by planning priorities, zoning, comprehensive planning, and other regulations. The course also explores strategies to foster inclusive community engagement, sustainability, and equity. PUA 201 is approved for six Certificate Maintenance (CM) credits through the Institute of Certified Planners.
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.
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. View the full press release.