On Thursday, December 7, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) held its official grand opening of its new office at the Leon Sullivan Human Services Center.
This USDA office is one of two to open this year in the United States, as announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small during a visit to Philadelphia this past summer, in which they met state and local officials and representatives from the community and Board of Education to share investments in urban communities to increase access to healthy foods and USDA programs and resources that support local, economic opportunities, through the Biden-Harris Administrations Investing in America agenda and Bidenomics strategy.
The purpose of the office is to connect urban farmers with resources at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Specifically, the office is represented by two different USDA agencies. One is the Farm Services Agency (FSA), and the other is the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). Between the two agencies, there are various conservation and economic programs to help support urban farms.
Nina Berryman (she/her), County Executive Director of the Philadelphia FSA, has roots in Philadelphia; having previously run an urban farm for 15 years, Berryman is uniquely suited for her position. She offered the following insights regarding the USDA’s initiative :
Q. FSA’s office is located in the most iconic historical buildings on North Broad Street. The building carries a legacy for this community. How do you feel about operating in this space?
A. First and foremost, we are honored to be in this building. The legacy of Leon H. Sullivan and the trust that continues his work to this day is such an honor to be a part of. We really wanted to be in a building that had a mission that aligned with our values, and this building, as I understand it, is all about human services. Serving our community aligns with our goal of serving individuals who are growing food in our community.
Thank you for reading an excerpt of Lorraine Lavender-Sams’s article on scoopusamedia.com. To read more of the article, “US Department of Agriculture opens Philadelphia office,” please subscribe to Scoop USA Media. Print subscriptions are $75.00 and online subscriptions (Print, Digital and Vizion) are $90. (52 weeks/1 year)
