The U.S. Department of Agriculture is scheduled to host the first public meeting of the inaugural Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on Wednesday and Thursday, March 23 and 24.

The public, including urban producers, is encouraged to attend the webinar, according to a news release from the Maine State FSA Office  in Bangor.

“I look forward to working with this new urban agriculture federal advisory committee,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, according to a news release from the Maine State FSA Office  in Bangor. “The committee’s valuable insights and expertise will provide critical guidance to help us better serve urban agricultural producers, strengthen local food systems, and increase equity and access to healthy, local food.”

The new federal advisory committee is part of USDA’s efforts to support urban agriculture, creating a network for feedback. Members, announced last month, include agricultural producers, as well as representatives from the areas of higher education or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing.

The meeting is planned from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To attend, register by Friday, March 18, at usda.gov. Additional details are available in the March 8 Federal Register notice, at farmers.gov, or on the committee’s webpage.

At the meeting, committee members will discuss administrative matters and consult on the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Urban, Indoor and Emerging Agriculture grants.

Members of the public who wish to submit comments or questions related to urban agriculture can submit them via regulations.gov. Comments must be submitted by March 18.

For special accommodations, contact Leslie Glover at 602-395-9536 or UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov.