WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The bill includes an amendment introduced by Ranking Member Stabenow to provide $5 million to set up the new Urban Agriculture Office at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized in the Farm Bill.
“By and large, this bipartisan bill rejects the Trump Administration’s shortsighted budget proposal and funds critical Farm Bill and rural development investments.
“For the first time, the 2018 Farm Bill recognized urban agriculture as a growing part of our food economy. I’m pleased the bill includes my amendment to start up the USDA Urban Agriculture Office to advocate for urban farmers in Michigan and across the country.
“However, I am deeply disappointed that the bill supports the relocation of USDA research agencies, which has delayed important work that helps our farmers and rural communities. As this bill moves forward, I urge the conference committee to reject this destructive proposal.”
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