Urban Agriculture Healthy Food and Entrepreneur Act

Urban Agriculture Healthy Food and Entrepreneur Act

This bill addresses Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs relating to urban agricultural production.

Specifically, the bill

• directs USDA to establish an urban agriculture conservation easement program for (1) the conservation of certain private or tribal land, (2) improved community food security, (3) improved access to cropland for beginning farmers or ranchers, and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; and (4) majority-controlled producer-based business ventures through easements or other interest in land;
• establishes an urban agriculture microentrepreneur assistance program to provide loans and grants to support microentrepreneurs in the development and ongoing success of urban agriculture microenterprises;
• extends authority for USDA to assist nonprofit entities establish and carry out community food projects;
• modifies USDA requirements for the national school food programs relating to the purchases of locally produced food; and
• increases funding for USDA's Farm to School Program.