WERA1053: Urban Agriculture and Food Systems
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Active
Date of Annual Report: 12/11/2024
Report Information
Annual Meeting Dates: 10/08/2024
- 10/08/2024
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2023 - 09/30/2024
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2023 - 09/30/2024
Participants
Brad Gaolach (Washington State University),Gail Langellotto (Oregon State University), Paul Priyesh (University of Kentucky), Christine Coker (Mississippi State University), Xinhua Jia (North Dakota State University), Ned Spang (UC Davis), Laura Ingwell (Purdue), Most Tahera Naznin (University of Nevada), Bill Miller (University of Massachusetts), Manreet Bhullar (Kansas State University), Gwynne Mhuireach (University of Oregon), Sam Anderson (Cornell Cooperative Extension), Elani Pliakoni (Kansas State University), Mary Rogers (University of Minnesota)Brief Summary of Minutes
The meeting covered a range of topics related to urban agriculture, including funding structures, research initiatives, and future planning. Participants discussed various projects and programs aimed at supporting advances in urban agriculture and sustainable urban food systems. The group also addressed organizational matters, including officer nominations, increased funding for in-person meetings, and plans for the upcoming 2025 annual meeting.
Accomplishments
<p>This was the first annual meeting of WERA-1053, and also represented the first WERA participation for many of our group members. Thus, the major accomplishments of the project year were focused on getting to learn more about participants’ academic interests, current work, and interests in this specific WERA. Thus, this report primarily represents individual team members’ accomplishments. Our group set several intentions for the coming reporting year, which will grow collaborative outcomes and impacts. These include:</p><br /> <ul><br /> <li>Recruiting experts in urban ag policy, food system policy, equity/inclusion, labor relations, niche product marketing, etc. to join this WERA.</li><br /> <li>Have formal WERA participation in the future National urban Agriculture Conference and the Urban Food Systems Symposium.</li><br /> </ul><br /> <p><strong>Activities</strong>: Our group is incredibly active across urban agriculture research, education, and extension.</p><br /> <p>Dr. Coker presented a talk on Urban Horticulture at the state NRCS Urban Agriculture meeting held in Jackson, MS. She followed up with the Director of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production about potential future collaborative efforts. Dr. Coker also provided training to NRCS and other USDA personnel at the annual Beaumont Horticultural Unit Field Day. In collaboration with the Southeastern Transition to Organic Partnership Program, Dr. Coker has traveled throughout MS meeting potential organic producers.</p><br /> <p>Urban agriculture and food systems activities are in the early stages in North Dakota. Dr. Jia’s focus, however, is on developing, coordinating, and exchanging information. She collaborates with the Growing Together Community Garden, volunteering at the garden and helping them solve critical issues, such as pests and diseases. With her background in water management, she has been providing advice on water management and have attempted to connect industry personnel to address irrigation and drainage issues at the garden. Given North Dakota's cold climate, any technologies that can extend the growing season are highly valued. She concluded one project this June, researching smart irrigation for tomatoes and peppers inside a high tunnel. Additionally, she has another project focused on using smart irrigation for watermelon, squash, and muskmelon production. Numerous talks and outreach activities have centered on irrigation and specialty crops.</p><br /> <p>Dr. Ingwell conducted research in collaboration with urban high tunnel farmers examining insect dynamics across the entire calendar year in their cropping systems. She is also doing research at Purdue facilities related to the production of soil amendments using black soldier flies and impacts on crop production. She shared this work with growers at conferences. She is leading a Squash Vine Borer Trapping network on Urban Farms throughout the Midwest in her role at Co-PI of the Great Lakes Urban Ag IPM Working Group, funded by the NC-IPM Center.</p><br /> <p>Dr. Spang continued to work on a project entitled, "Transforming the Community, Climate, and Soil Health of Urban Agriculture through Applying Food Waste Derived Fertilizers in Community Learning Gardens" that is funded by the USDA National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). In collaboration with their partner the Latino Equity Advocacy and Policy (LEAP) Institute, his team developed, coordinated, and exchanged information relating to four food waste derived digestate (FWDD) project goals: 1) To demonstrate the applicability and social acceptability of pasteurized food waste derived digestate (FWDD) as liquid fertilizer in community learning gardens (CLGs); 2) To promote the resilience of healthy, carbon-rich soils as climate mitigation strategy in an urban agricultural context; 3) To build social resilience through nutritious, affordable, accessible and culturally relevant food produce in historically underserved (HU) communities; and 4) To build cross-sectorial partnerships and enable tech transfer among Latinos, farmworkers and youth from HU communities. To achieve the aims mentioned above, this project sets out to grow major California crops in CLGs, using FWDD as alternative fertilizer to conventional synthetic fertilizers and fresh-market tomatoes as pilot crop.</p><br /> <p>Dr. Gaolach co-lead’s the ECOP Program Action Team (PAT) on Urban Agriculture and Food Systems. He held meetings with the urban agriculture leader of NRCS to help develop a NRCS-Extension urban Agriculture partnership and hosted a convening in DC with the National League of Cities (co-host) to help develop an urban ag & food systems content area within the national urban research and extension center (NUREC) He is also co-pi on building integrated agriculture grant that looks to work across all aspects of this objective related to production of food in and on buildings. Exchanged information with members of several agencies/organizations (NUEL, NRCS, ECOP PAT, NLC)</p><br /> <p>Dr. Langellotto collaborated with the US Veterans Administration staff members to develop non-credit course materials in hydroponics. She participated in the USDA UIE ag-supported summit on building-integrated agriculture.</p><br /> <p>Dr. Miller reports that urban agriculture was identified as one of four focus areas for organizing/convening the Northeast NUEL network.</p><br /> <p>Dr. Rogers teaches an introductory undergraduate course for the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems major at the UMN, titled FDSY 1016W: Growing Food & Building Community: Urban Agriculture in the Twin Cities. This course has a community-engagement focus, and involves service learning opportunities on urban farms, field trips to urban farms, and bringing in experts and professionals working in urban ag. She also administers the Student Organic Farm at the UMN, located in an urban location on the St. Paul campus. The farm allows space for paid internships for undergraduate students and a location for holding workshops and extension and outreach events, for example the annual Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day. Related to outreach and extension activities, She is leading a current Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration grant funded by the MN Dept. of Agriculture titled Bounty and Blooms: Integration of Cut Flowers in Urban Vegetable Farms. I am collaborating with two urban growers (R. Roots Garden & California Street Farm in Minneapolis), and Hennepin & Douglas County Extension Educators. The project seeks to identifying cut flowers that are suitable for small-scale vegetable production systems and produce high-quality blooms for local markets; assess ecosystem services and/or disservices associated with cut flower production based on pollinator and beneficial insect visitation and insect pest pressure; and create educational activities and resources targeted to small-scale vegetable growers on how to integrate cut flowers into an annual production system. They expect that this information will be used to expand cut flower production on urban and small-scale vegetable farms. In addition, she is an active participant in the Great Lakes Urban Agriculture IPM working group, and delivered a webinar in January, 2024 titled Swede midge: An emerging invasive pest in urban agriculture in the Upper Midwest, and participated in the multi-state squash vine borer trapping project this year facilitated by the working group. Related to research activities, I am working on developing integrated pest management practices of the invasive swede midge, a pest of brassica crops that is causing damage on crops grown in urban farms and community gardens in the Twin Cities metro area, with funding provided by a MN Dept of Agriculture Specialty Crops Block Grant and a NC SARE graduate student grant awarded to a student in her lab. They are also actively sampling the extent of swede midge infestation across the metro. In addition, she is a collaborator on a NC SARE Research & Education grant titled: Exploration of Shredded Cardboard as a Mulch to Improve Plant and Soil Health in Urban Farms and Gardens in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, MN.</p><br /> <p>Dr. Priyesh has worked on and led a nationally acclaimed Food Safety Extension and applied Research program has been both substantial and transformative. He has secured extramural competitive grants (USDA-NIFA, USDA SARE, FDA, and Kentucky Department of Agriculture). His program focuses on reducing pathogenic contamination on raw agricultural commodities and ready-to-eat products using pathogen-specific interventions and enhancing compliance with the new federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). As the Principal Investigator, he has developed five innovative programs and implemented the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) Grower Training and Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF) training programs for Kentucky’s producers. He has fostered a transdisciplinary approach, which includes collaborations with faculty within the UK MG-CAFE (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Program and Staff Development, and Family and Consumer Sciences). These collaborations extend to state partners (Kentucky State University, Kentucky Small Business Development Center, Department of Public Health-Food Safety Branch, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Horticulture Council, and Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association) enhancing the scope and impact of my work. Through my program, the University of Kentucky is vital to the FSMA Southern Center, involving land-grant institutions and organizations across fourteen states</p><br /> <p><strong>Impacts</strong></p><br /> <ul><br /> <li>Ned Spang’s Food Waste Digestion project ultimately aims to deliver social, environmental and economic benefits to the communities listed above. By demonstrating the use of FWDD as organic fertilizer, it will enable community members to incorporate more sustainable, accessible and co-created growing practices, creating awareness of the benefits of closed-loop urban nutrient cycling. The improvement in soil organic matter and avoided GHG emissions associated with FWDD and compost use compared to conventional fertilizers will lead provide improvements in air, water and soil quality, increasing the overall environmental resilience in HU communities.</li><br /> <li>Mary Rogers’s documentation is ongoing for environmental consequences of using shredded cardboard mulch in urban farms and gardens, including effects on crop productivity, weed suppression, soil moisture, and carbon and nitrogen cycling. Documentation is ongoing for ecosystem services provided by diversification of urban farms and gardens with annual cut flowers and impacts on pollinators and beneficial insects.</li><br /> <li>Paul Priyesh’s food safety programs, offered through the Cooperative Extension in Kentucky, play a vital role in helping local producers and processors comply with federal food safety requirements. This ensures their products can be sold while avoiding penalties such as fines ($225/hour or more), operational suspensions, and product recalls. The extramural funding enabled me to offer FSMA-PSR training free of cost for all Kentucky growers, significantly enhancing statewide compliance with the new federal food safety standards. A follow-up survey was conducted among a diverse group of fifty participants, consisting of growers, entrepreneurs, and processors. The results were revealing: 61% of the respondents reported that the program aided in their business growth, 15% experienced business and customer expansion, 12% gained increased knowledge, 8% noted a change in their practices, and 4% found it beneficial for their employment. The program used standardized, validated pre- and post-tests to assess knowledge gain. Among 956 participants, only 33.33% scored 75% or higher in the pre-test. However, post-training test results showed a significant increase, with 84% achieving scores above 75%, indicating a marked increase in knowledge following the training.</li><br /> </ul><br /> <p>Future <strong>milestones </strong>suggested for our group include:</p><br /> <ul><br /> <li>Tracking the number of agencies that we collaborate with</li><br /> <li>Crafting a strategic plan for building-integrated agriculture (BIA) and a set of recommended standards for BIA projects</li><br /> <li>Advancing the efficacy and use of food waste diversion digestors in urban spaces</li><br /> <li>Advancing work on market access and regulatory compliance in urban agriculture spaces.</li><br /> </ul><br /> <p><strong>Indicators</strong>: Our group has not yet identified or tracked key indicators of progress.</p>Publications
<p><strong> Academic / Scholarly Publications</strong></p><br /> <ul><br /> <li>Broderick, S. R., Coker, C. E., Tseng, T. M., De Oliveira, T., Breland, B. 2023. Optimizing Soil Moisture for Soil Steaming (9th ed., vol. 58, pp. S162). HortScience.</li><br /> <li>Coker, C.E.H., B. Breland, H. Williams, and J. Ryals. 2024. Becoming a certified organic grower in Mississippi. Mississippi State University Extension. P4003.</li><br /> <li>Kakadellis, S., H. Delgado, R. Teall, R. Leon, C.W. Simmons, and E.S. Spang (Submitted) Circular Urban Agriculture: Applying Food Waste-Derived Fertilizers in Community Learning Gardens. ACS Agricultural Science & Technology.</li><br /> <li>Kakadellis, S, CW Simmons, and ES Spang. Transformative urban agriculture: applying food waste-derived fertilizers in Community Learning Gardens. 31st International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology – ISSST, June 17 - 20, 2024, Baltimore, MD. ** IN PRESS **.</li><br /> <li>Meyers, S.L., Arana, J., Giraldo, L.C., Ingwell, L.L., Rodriguez, L., and N. Vargas. 2024. Effect of Black soldier fly larvae and food substrates on weed seed emergence. HortTechnology 34(2): 190-197. DOI:10.21273/HORTTECH05273-23</li><br /> <li>Mhuireach, G. Á., Van Den Wymelenberg, K. G., & Langellotto, G. A. (2023). Garden soil bacteria transiently colonize gardeners' skin after direct soil contact. Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems, 8(1), e20035.</li><br /> <li>Shah, B., Hatterman-Valenti, H., Vaddevolu, U., and X. Jia. (2024). Remote-controlled automatic drip irrigation for specialty horticultural crop productions. Journal of the ASABE. NRES-16144-2024.</li><br /> <li>Willden, S.A., Guan, W., and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Impact of selected acaricides against twospotted spider mite on 7 strawberry varieties grown in high tunnel, 2023. Arthropod Management Tests 49(1). Tsae064</li><br /> <li>Willden, S.A., and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Impact of selected biorational insecticides against potato aphids on high tunnel tomato, 2023. Arthropod Management Tests 49(1). Tsae043</li><br /> <li>Willden, S.A., Zablah, A., Wallingford, A. and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Management of aphids on winter high tunnel crops. Biological Control 192: 105511. DOI:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105511</li><br /> <li>Woomer, Joseph & Schendel, Rachel & Lovely, Jennifer & Vijayakumar, Paul & Adedeji, Akinbode. (2023). Value-Added Application of Bourbon Spent Grain and Proso Millet for High-Fiber Extruded Product. Journal of the ASABE. 66. 1019-1032. 10.13031/ja.15507</li><br /> <li>Vaddevolu, U., and X. Jia. Submitted 2024. Testing a soil moisture sensor based irrigation controller in both laboratory and field conditions for Fargo Silty Clay soils. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 40(1): 41-50. <a href="https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.15777">https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.15777</a>.</li><br /> </ul><br /> <p><strong>Public Outreach / Extension Publications</strong></p><br /> <ul><br /> <li>Shoaf, N.L. and L.L. Ingwell. 2023. Defining success: Urban agriculturalists’ perspectives. ID-532-W.</li><br /> <li>Shoaf, N.L. and L.L. Ingwell. 2023. Opportunities and challenges for Indiana’s urban agriculturalists. ID-531-W.</li><br /> <li>Ingwell, L.L. and S.A. Willden. 2024. Integrated insect management strategies for vegetable farms. Veg Crops Hotline. Issue 735</li><br /> <li>Nelson, M. B., Nackley, L., & Langellotto, G. A. (Submitted 2024). Hydro Hints: Grow your knowledge of hydroponic food production with these top facts. OSU Extension Publications Catalog.</li><br /> <li>Priyesh, P. V. (2023) (Co-Author). SE Vegetable Handbook 2023 - Food Safety section SE Vegetable Handbook 2023 edition.</li><br /> <li>Willden, S.A. and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Winter weeds as refuge for pest and beneficial invertebrates. Veg. Crops Hotline. Issue 734</li><br /> <li>Willden, S.A., Ingwell, L.L., and W. Guan. 2024. Overwintering insects on high tunnel strawberry and impacts on yield. Facts for Fancy Fruit. Issue 24-01</li><br /> <li>Shah, B., Jia, X., haterman-Valenti, H., and Ostlie, M. (2024). Remote controlled automated drip irrigation for watermelon, muskmelon, and squash production. Carrington Research Extension Center 2023 Annual Report. Access at <a href="https://www.ndsu.edu/agricutlure/sites/default/files/2024-02/2023%20Annual%20Report.pdf">https://www.ndsu.edu/agricutlure/sites/default/files/2024-02/2023%20Annual%20Report.pdf</a>.</li><br /> <li>Shah, B.P., U.B.P. Vaddevolu, X. Jia, H. Hatterman-Valenti, and T.F. Scherer. 2023. Yield responses of watermelon, muskmelon, and squash to different irrigation treatments in a mulched sandy soil. 2023 ASABE International Meeting, July 9-12, 2023. Omaha, NE. Paper No. 2300630.</li><br /> </ul><br /> <p><strong>Presentations</strong></p><br /> <ul><br /> <li>Agila, M. and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Utilizing black soldier fly composting on urban farms. Urban Food Systems Symposium. June 11-13, 2024. Columbus, OH</li><br /> <li>Arias, I., Willden, S.A., and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Insect communities in high tunnels along a rural-urban gradient. Indiana Small Farm Conference. Danville, IN. Feb. 29-Mar 1, 2024. (poster presentation)</li><br /> <li>Jia, X., and S. Vishnumolakala. 2024. Automatic drip irrigation. High Tunnel Conference. Fargo, ND. July 30, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Jia, X. 2024. North Dakota drip irrigation research – smart irrigation for specialty crops. W4128 Microirrigation Annual Meeting. Virtual. July 28, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Jia, X. 2024. Drip irrigation for specialty crop production. SD Specialty Producers Association. Virtual. July 17, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Jia, X. 2024. Water quality impact on hydroponic lettuce production. University of Wyoming Controlled Environment Ag Workshop. Laramie, WY. April 23-25, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Jia, X. 2024. Irrigation for hazelnut. Minnesota hazelnut Conference. Northfield, MN. March 22, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Jia, X. 2024. North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute Overview and smart water management research. Water update to the state senators. Bismarck, ND. March 5, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Jia, X. 2024. Impact of agriculture on groundwater. Dakota Groundwater Conference. Virtual. January 30, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Jia, X. 2023. Smart irrigation for specialty crops in ND. ND Irrigation Workshop, Bismarck, ND. December 7, 2023. Presentation by Jia, Shah, and Visnumolakala.</li><br /> <li>Rivera, M. and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Urban farm resources developed by the Great Lakes Urban Ag Working Group. North Central IPM Center, Pests & Progress. May 15, 2024. (webinar)</li><br /> <li>Rivera, M., Ingwell, L.L., Jasinski, J., and J. Kowalski. 2024. Significant urban farm resources developed by the Great Lakes Urban Ag IPM Working Group. Urban Food Systems Symposium. June 11-13, 2024. Columbus, OH.</li><br /> <li>Rogers, MA. Cut flowers for annual vegetable producers and urban farmers. Presentation at the annual Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day, St. Paul, MN, July 24, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Rogers, MA. Swede midge: An emerging invasive pest in urban agriculture in the Upper Midwest. Urban Agriculture Pest Management Webinar Series. January 10, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Shoaf, N. and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Exploring the needs of Indiana urban farmers: A mixed-methods needs assessment. Urban Food Systems Symposium. June 11-13, 2024. Columbus, OH.</li><br /> <li>Smith MJ, Pearson NB, Nicklay JA, Cole C, Jelinski NA, Hankerson SC, Cueto S, Giles M, Rogers MA. Shredded Cardboard as a Mulch and Compost Resource to Improve Soil Health and Water Management by Urban Growers in the Twin Cities. Poster presented at the Urban Food Systems Symposium, June 2024, Cleveland, OH.</li><br /> <li>Willden, S.A., Zablah, A., and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Pest communities on high tunnel crops on urban vs. rural farms and effective options for management. Urban Food Systems Symposium. June 11-13, 2024. Columbus, OH.</li><br /> <li>Willden, S.A. and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Production and pest management in high tunnels on urban farms. Production and pest management in high tunnels on urban farms. Indiana Small Farm Conference. Danville, IN. Feb. 29-Mar 1, 2024.</li><br /> <li>Willden, S.A., Grosdidier, R., and Ingwell, L.L. 2024. Recruiting good bugs to high tunnel tomato: weeds vs. companion plants. Indiana Small Farm Conference. Danville, IN. Feb. 29-Mar 1, 2024. (poster presentation)</li><br /> <li>Agila, M. and L.L. Ingwell. 2024. Converting food waste into soil amendments while growing protein with Hermetia illucens. Indiana Small Farm Conference. Danville, IN. Feb. 29-Mar 1, 2024. (poster presentation) Please See this Website for a compilation of resources for urban farmers that we have organized in 2023-2024: https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/pubs/urban_agriculture.html</li><br /> </ul><br /> <p><strong>Training Courses</strong></p><br /> <ul><br /> <li>Nelson, M. B. & Langellotto, G. A. (2024) Introduction to Urban Agriculture. 10-week, non-credit, online course. Redeveloped and relaunched in 2024. Fretz, M., Mhuireach, G., & Langellotto, G. A. (2024). Seminar in Building-Integrated Agriculture. 10-week, credit, hybrid course that was a collaboration between the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Oregon State University College of Agriculture.</li><br /> </ul>Impact Statements
Date of Annual Report: 11/05/2025
Report Information
Annual Meeting Dates: 09/03/2025
- 09/03/2025
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2024 - 09/30/2025
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2024 - 09/30/2025
Participants
Jennifer Bousselot jennifer.bousselot@colostate.eduSarah Anthony sarahant@vt.edu
Oscar Rodriguez oscar.rodriguez@architectureandfood.com
Ashton Holliday-Goulart ashtonh@vt.edu
Jessica Shade jessica.shade@usda.gov
Dan Cronan (WSU) (Dan Cronan) dan.cronan@wsu.edu
Jay Caddel jay.caddel@ag.tamu.edu
Gail Langellotto gail.langellotto@oregonstate.edu
Paul Priyesh paul.v@uky.edu
David Lowenstein lowenst6@msu.edu
Joan Wu jwu@wsu.edu
Fireflies.ai Notetaker Oscar oscar.rodriguez@architectureandfood.com
Semra Fetahovic semra@ksu.edu
Sarah Hanson sspeedy@purdue.edu
Jeff Young jyoung@uky.edu
Megan Kemp mkemp@iastate.edu
Xinhua Jia xinhua.jia@ndsu.edu
Gwynne Mhuireach gwynhwyf@uoregon.edu
Karen Munden kmunden@vt.edu
Christopher Grallert christopher@greencitygrowers.com
Sarah Anthony sarahant@vt.edu
Jeff Brown brown.jefft@gmail.com
Doug Steele APLU Food# Ag and Natural Resources (Doug Steele) dsteele@aplu.org
Molly Johansson mjohansson@alaska.edu
Bria Cooper brcooper@pvamu.edu
Graham Sandersfeld grsfeld@iastate.edu
Most Tahera Naznin mnaznin@unr.edu
Mark Buehrer markb@heartfoodsgroup.com
Molly Johansson mjohansson@alaska.edu
Ashton Holliday-Goulart ashtonh@vt.edu
Kevin Duerfeldt kevin.duerfeldt@colostate.edu
Jennifer Bousselot jennifer.bousselot@colostate.edu
William Miller wamiller@umass.edu
Brad Gaolach - WSU Metro Center (he/him) gaolach@wsu.edu
Cary Rivard crivard@ksu.edu
Jody Norman jody.norman@wsu.edu
Brief Summary of Minutes
The 1053 Urban Agriculture and Food Systems Annual Meeting was held to discuss multi-state research projects, funding mechanisms, and various presentations on urban agriculture initiatives. The meeting covered updates on ongoing research projects, including control environment agriculture, urban food systems, indoor farming, and urban extension efforts, while also addressing the need for new leadership positions within the organization. The WERA was discussed, with emphasis on encouraging members to join and take on leadership roles, along with plans for more frequent meetings and information sharing.
Urban Agriculture Annual Meeting Overview
The meeting began with Brad Gaolach, the current chair, introducing the 1053 Urban Agriculture and Food Systems Annual Meeting. He outlined the agenda, which includes an overview of the Hatch Multi-State Project process, presentations from members, formal presentations from invited speakers, a business meeting for electing new officers, and developing a work plan for the upcoming meeting. Brad mentioned that only five people had expressed interest in making presentations, and he encouraged others to notify him if they wanted to participate. He also noted that the meeting would be recorded and the recording information would be shared with registered attendees.
Multi-State Research Funding Overview
Brad, the director of WSU's Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and Extension, provided an overview of the organizational structure and funding mechanisms behind multi-state research projects, particularly focusing on the distinction between Research Activities (RAs) and Education, Extension, and Research Activities (ERAs). He explained the legislative foundation, including the Hatch Act and Smith Lever Act, which require land-grant universities to allocate 25% of their federal funds to integrated multi-state projects. Brad also discussed the National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS) and the process of joining these projects, emphasizing the importance of time dedication and the use of CRIS codes. The WERA 1053 has two main objectives: collaborating to increase interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations among research, education, extension professionals, and others related to urban agriculture and food systems; and supporting the coordination of REE activities and exchanging information by establishing and supporting core themes and cross-cutting threads.
Advancements in Urban and Indoor Farming
Xinhua Jia presented on two main research areas: control environment agriculture and a novel project harvesting waste heat from data centers to power food production, with a feasibility study planned for a new data center near Fargo. Semra Fetahovic from Kansas State University outlined their urban food systems initiative, including research on high tunnels, soil, and fruit/vegetable production, along with their upcoming urban food systems symposium in Kansas City next September. Most Taran Naznin shared research on indoor farming in Las Vegas, focusing on hydroponic systems and light spectrum impact on crop production, while also conducting extension activities and teaching hydroponic certificate courses.
Urban Agriculture and Extension Initiatives
Bill Miller, Associate Director of the University of Massachusetts Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, discussed his work in urban extension and agriculture, highlighting a new initiative to expand urban farming and youth engagement in agriculture. He emphasized the integration of research and extension efforts and the importance of building programs gradually over time. Doug Steele from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities provided updates on their initiatives, including a new "Land Grant University Homecoming" event and efforts to secure funding for research infrastructure. He also discussed the importance of connecting urban populations with the work of land-grant universities.
Urban Research Support Proposal
Dan Cronan from Washington State University presented a comprehensive research proposal focused on urban soils and peri-urban land use conflicts, proposing transdisciplinary methods and community engagement to address complex socio-ecological systems. The project aims to develop a data hub and standardized metrics to analyze urban agriculture, green infrastructure, and ecosystem services across cities, with a phased approach spanning five years. Gail offered existing urban soil data from 70 sites, which Dan and Brad welcomed to enhance the project's data framework and national perspective.
Urban Food Systems Strategic Updates
The meeting covered updates on the Sustainable Urban Food Systems Program Action Team's strategic convening in Huntsville, Alabama, which resulted in two priority work streams: reducing food loss and waste, and expanding urban food production. Jeff Young outlined key activities and investment opportunities for both work streams, emphasizing the goal of a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030. Jessica Shade provided NIFA updates, noting the transition under a new director and the ongoing alignment of priorities with the current administration. The group discussed advocacy for urban agriculture and the importance of organized stakeholder engagement. Finally, Brad announced the need for new leadership positions within the WERA 1053, with Paul confirmed as the incoming chair and Gail not seeking reelection as secretary.
WERA Membership and Engagement Discussion
The meeting focused on discussing the WERA and its activities. Brad and Paul encouraged members to consider joining WERA and taking on leadership roles, such as chair or secretary. Megan presented on her work with Iowa State University Extension and the Agri Prospects Workforce Development Network. The group discussed the importance of meeting in person and potentially applying for planning grants to fund such meetings. Gail emphasized keeping the group's activities simple and focused on sharing information. Christopher raised questions about private industry involvement in WERA, and Brad explained the formal structure and benefits of WERA within the Land Grant University system. The conversation ended with plans to provide more information on joining WERA and to consider more frequent meetings between members.