NYC Gazette

BILL AIMS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ON URBAN AGRICULTURE AND FOSTER SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

NEW YORK, NY – Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Don Bacon (NE-02) have reintroduced the Harvesting Knowledge Act for the 118th Congress. This legislation aims to support urban agriculture education—a critical yet often overlooked curriculum that will jumpstart students’ interest and careers in sustainable agricultural technology. 

“As we begin negotiations for the Farm Bill, nurturing student access to STEM education and urban agriculture will be critical to the health and sustainability of our future,” said Rep. Espaillat. “My bill aims to help prepare the next generation of leaders in agriculture by training our future biologists, nutritionists, and climate change scientists—especially in urban areas with limited access to farms. By increasing access to new technologies and skills today, our students and their families will have the resources they need to help secure a sustainable future in the face of the daily challenges of climate change.”

“As a kid who grew up on the farm, I am continually amazed at new indoor farming techniques and believe that giving students a hands-on learning experience in that area will continue to help hydroponics and aquaponics grow,” said Rep. Bacon. “These grants will help spread this to students who may never have had the opportunity to learn about this exciting form of agriculture.” 

"I am pleased to support this initiative to codify the use of hydroponic farming technology as a STEM teaching tool. This legislation also serves as an important step towards ensuring food access through sustainable farming, as hydroponic technology can provide immediate access to healthy, fresh, and nutritious food in every neighborhood of our cities,” said NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora. “After more than 10 years of bringing hydroponic farming technology into New York City public school classrooms and working with students to grow food year-round as they learn about sustainability science, nutrition, and climate education, I applaud this effort to also train the next generation of farmers to meet the challenges of our time."

The Harvesting Knowledge Act would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include indoor agricultural technology as an activity that supports well-rounded education and provide grant funding for related projects.

The bill will also:

·    Provide a dedicated funding stream for urban agriculture education
·    Focus on including hydroponic and aquaponic technologies in classroom education
·    Introduce hands-on activities to cultivate interest in biology, nutrition, and sustainability 

Original source can be found here.