From the desk of Northeast SARE Director, Dr. Teresa Leslie,
This is part of a quarterly series on changes at Northeast SARE click here to subscribe to future editions.
As we enter the fall and the agriculture season partially goes on a hiatus, I would like to reflect on Northeast SARE’s summer activities. Twice a year, the leadership of Northeast SARE hold in-person meetings in the summer and winter. This year our summer meeting convened in the Nation’s Capital, Washington D.C. As is our annual tradition, the summer meeting also includes farm tours. This was my second farm tour with Northeast SARE, and in comparison, to my first experience in a primarily rural space, we explored agriculture on the urban landscape.
While traditionally seen as a characteristic of the rural landscape, our summer tour revealed that the rural/urban dichotomy surrounding agriculture is perhaps in flux. When defining what is rural and what is urban, population density is usually primary. But if we compare rural and urban environments in terms of low income and low food access, there are great similarities. In both spaces, food security can be challenged by economics, proximity to retail centers, transportation etc.
In Washington D.C, we observed that urban farms are working to address: 1.) the growing demand for locally sourced and sustainable food; 2.) the potential of urban farming to create jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurs; 3.) how urban agriculture can help make food supplies more resilient to climate change and increase local food security; and 4.) how urban agriculture can strengthen communities by increasing awareness and appreciation of the people who grow food. Truly amazing!
Aligning with Northeast SARE’s outcome statement our work serves to ensure sustainability, resilience, economic viability, and a high quality of life. With so many low income and low food access areas, how do we continue to make agriculture in the Northeast accessible, sustainable, and just for all, in both rural and urban spaces alike?
In working to live into our outcome statement, we are launching our Historically Underserved Farming Community Grant program. To widen the circle in the spirit of centering and belonging, we are also introducing our technical assistance program that will serve to equip and empower farmers and organizations so that they can take advantage of this grant and other opportunities in the future.