Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Ag Producers to Strengthen Agricultural Supply Chains and Lower Food Costs

Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Ag Producers to ...  USDA.gov

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Nov 28, 2023 - 02:30
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Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Ag Producers to Strengthen Agricultural Supply Chains and Lower Food Costs

$196 Million Investment Expands Markets and Creates Jobs in 37 States and Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 2023 – As part of the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, President Biden and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making investments that will strengthen American food and agriculture supply chains, expand markets for agricultural producers, and lower food costs.

Introduction

The Biden-Harris Administration is championing America’s farmers and ranchers by helping expand businesses and supporting more robust American supply chains. Today’s investments in agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs will create better economic opportunities that bolster food supply chains across the country and increase competition—a key pillar of Bidenomics. This will result in more affordable prices and choices for consumers, as well as more opportunities and revenue for farmers.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. Goal 1: No Poverty
  2. Goal 2: Zero Hunger
  3. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  4. Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  5. Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  6. Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Investments in Market Expansion

USDA is making investments in 185 projects worth nearly $196 million to create new and better market opportunities for producers and entrepreneurs in the following states and Puerto Rico:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • Puerto Rico

Examples of Investments

  • Texas: Lone Star Bakery is a third-generation family-owned business that provides foods like pastries and desserts to multinational food service providers and grocery store chains. They will use a $40 million Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan to help offset costs to purchase and install new equipment, make property improvements, upgrade technology, and refinance. The loan will modernize two facilities in China Grove to meet the needs of current and future customers.
  • Arizona: Merchant’s Garden LLC is a hydroponic and aquaponic farm in Tucson. The company will use a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to expand marketing and sales of prepackaged salad mixes to help them become a local supplier of organic leafy greens for southern Arizona.
  • Nebraska: Lot 279, LLC will use a Value-Added Producer Grant to process, market, distribute, and advertise their direct-to-consumer beef cattle cuts and shares. The project is expected to increase revenue for the company by almost $600,000 a year and increase their customer base by 4,800 people.
  • Massachusetts: The Center for EcoTechnology Inc. will use a $24,355 Rural Business Development Grant to help small farmers decarbonize their farmwork through outreach, technical assistance, training, and education across the Berkshire region. The grant will benefit almost 40,000 residents in 25 towns.

Background

USDA and the Biden-Harris Administration are making these investments through six programs designed to create economic opportunities for people and businesses in rural areas:

  1. Rural Business Development Grants
  2. Value Added Producer Grants Program
  3. Business and Industry Loan Guarantees
  4. Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
  5. Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans, loan guarantees, and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements, business development, housing, community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care, and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas.

USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 1: No Poverty
  • SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
  • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers.
  • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.
  • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
  • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.
  • Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
  • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
  • Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within two kilometers of an all-season road.
  • Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
  • Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 1: No Poverty Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers. Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises. Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within two kilometers of an all-season road.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources. Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: usda.gov

 

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