U.S. Agriculture Secretary Highlights Commitment to Youth Development and Agricultural Markets in Georgia

Key Takeaways:

1. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announces $145,000 in funding for Turn Around Columbus.
2. Funding part of a $1.5 million grant to the University of Georgia’s Archway Partnership.
3. Emphasis on creating new markets and revenue opportunities for urban and rural producers.
4. Programs aim to support small and mid-sized producers, particularly in underserved communities.
5. USDA initiatives include climate-smart practices and regional food business centers.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Turn Around Columbus, a nonprofit organization in Columbus, Georgia, focusing on youth development and learning opportunities.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s Visit to Turn Around Columbus

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, joined by U.S. Representative Sanford D. Bishop (GA-2), toured Turn Around Columbus and announced $145,000 in funding for the organization. This funding is part of a larger $1.5 million grant awarded to the University of Georgia’s Archway Partnership by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the new Urban County Committee pilot program.

“Urban producers play a critical role in the agricultural economy,” Secretary Vilsack stated. “We are committed to supporting all producers no matter their age or the size and location of their operations. That’s why the Biden-Harris Administration has provided unprecedented support to create new markets and additional revenue opportunities, especially for small and mid-sized producers in Georgia and beyond.”

Supporting Youth Development and Community Growth

The subgrant will help Turn Around Columbus expand its educational programming, training, and marketing efforts. Additionally, the funding will be used to purchase equipment and supplies to increase the operation’s size and scope, furthering its community and youth development mission in Columbus.

USDA Initiatives in Georgia

The USDA has several programs to create new and better markets for urban and rural producers in Georgia. These initiatives include:

• Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities: Launched in September 2022, this funding opportunity aims to expand markets for climate-smart commodities, leverage greenhouse gas benefits, and provide direct benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers. USDA has announced $3.1 billion for this effort, with $892.6 million allocated to 28 projects that help Georgia producers engage in climate-smart practices and access new revenue streams.
• Regional Food Business Centers: USDA has announced twelve new Regional Food Business Centers offering national coverage coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets. The Southeast Regional Food Business Center serves Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
• Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) Program: Through this program, USDA has signed a cooperative agreement with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to procure and distribute locally grown, produced, and processed food from underserved producers. These purchases are distributed to rural and remote communities to ensure they receive nutritious and fresh foods while strengthening local and regional food systems.