Today, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service publicly released the 2022 Census of Agriculture Data findings. Notably, the USDA NextGen program was highlighted within the first ten minutes of the announcement: https://lnkd.in/e_Dqi82m
Through the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University, I have been selected to participate in this transformative initiative working with the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
What is the USDA NextGen program? It's a 262.5 million dollar investment in the future of our food systems. The focus is to provide comprehensive training and support to a diverse cohort of students, enabling them to pursue impactful careers in food, agriculture, ecological management, and human sciences.
The program's significance is highlighted by the emphasis on the aging demographic of farmers and the loss of farmland. Over the past five years, 142,000 farms have closed down, equating to a staggering 20 million acres of inactive farmland. Recognizing the pivotal role of youth in shaping the future, coupled with the compounding effects of the pandemic and climate-related disasters, there is a pressing imperative to cultivate more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems.
The insights shared during the release by The Honorable Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack closely resonates with my personal experiences working with and visiting peri-urban farms in the Phoenix area.
A few months ago, a farmer told me, “Growing lettuce isn’t enough.” I don’t think that’s the first time I have heard that. The data reveals that a majority of farmers report need “off-farm” income to keep the farm operating. Exemplifying this trend locally is Amadio Ranch, which leverages their produce to operate a bakery, enhancing revenue streams beyond traditional farmer's markets.
He also noted the urgent need to adopt circular waste management systems and innovative approaches for repurposing waste into valuable commodities. Another local example pioneering this work is the Arizona Worm Farm, which converts waste from commercial kitchens into fertilizer and animal feed, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability while creating economic value.
I am eager to continue engaging with farmers and ranchers to learn about the practices that have proven effective for them and what they struggle with most. And, I'm excited to further my commitment to advancing sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems through the NextGen program!
Access the 2022 Census of Agriculture Data:
https://lnkd.in/eiSq3EEC
Meet our USDA NextGen interns!
These incredible undergraduate students studying sustainable food systems were selected to be apart of our first round of internships funded through the USDA NextGen grant. We can’t wait to see them engage in meaningful work with local organizations contributing to the future of food and
agriculture.
Scholarships, future internships, and unique networking opportunities are available through the USDA NextGen Program. For more information, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gaz3-cAC
Executive Director | Former U.S. Diplomat | Natural Resources Management Expert
1moNice Susan