The USDA wants more support for development of urban agriculture and local food systems.A conference Friday in Omaha focused on local food, its role in economic development, and initiatives to support urban farming. Douglas County has more than 60 community gardens, and the USDA says since 2009, there have been 600 local food projects in Nebraska.
Eleanor Starmer, a senior aide to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, says urban agriculture provides new opportunities.
"Local foods last year was about a $12 billion market nationally. So we really see some opportunities to meet some of that consumer demand right here in Omaha and in the state of Nebraska. It’s an opportunity to get new people in to agriculture, as we see the face of agriculture changing and transitioning, that’s so important. And small-scale urban and local foods can really provide an entry point for beginning farmers."
Starmer says urban farming also improves access to local foods, something important in areas with food deserts.
Conference attendees toured Cooper Farm north of Omaha. The Omaha Home for Boys collaborates with several organizations to run the farm. 720 pounds of produce has come from Cooper Farm so far this year.