Why I'm Asking Sen. Raphael Warnock to Cultivate Change & Leverage Land Banks for Urban Agriculture in Georgia
Urban agriculture has the potential to transform vacant urban spaces into productive hubs that enhance food security, foster community engagement, and stimulate local economies. In Georgia, numerous properties lie dormant, particularly in areas designated as food deserts—regions where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited. Recognizing the challenges urban growers face, such as zoning restrictions, complex title histories, and limited capital for land acquisition, I have submitted a programmatic request to U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock. This request urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a grant program or technical assistance initiative aimed at supporting local governments, land banks, and nonprofit land trusts in acquiring and repurposing vacant urban land for food production.
Below is the full text of the cover letter accompanying this request:
April 7, 2025
Office of U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock
Attn: Appropriations Team
B40D Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Appropriations[at]warnock.senate.gov
Dear Senator Warnock and Appropriations Team,
I am submitting a programmatic request for Fiscal Year 2026 urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a grant program or technical assistance initiative that supports local governments, land banks, and nonprofit land trusts in acquiring and repurposing vacant or underutilized urban land for food production.
As a member of the Board of Directors for the Augusta GA Land Bank Authority, I see firsthand the challenges and untapped potential surrounding vacant land in our communities. Across Georgia, land banks hold numerous parcels—many of which sit in areas designated as food deserts. With strategic support from USDA, these parcels could be transformed into vibrant community gardens, training grounds for new farmers, or small-scale urban farms that address both food access and local economic development.
Urban growers across the state consistently face barriers tied to land access: zoning issues, complex title histories, short-term leases, and limited capital to secure and improve the land. This programmatic request proposes federal guidance and investment to help communities resolve these issues, ultimately unlocking land for food production and long-term neighborhood stewardship.
Senator Warnock, your leadership on the Senate Agriculture Committee and your continued advocacy for both urban and rural communities make you an ideal champion for this initiative. I hope you will support this effort to elevate urban agriculture as a viable, long-term strategy for building healthy, resilient, and economically inclusive food systems in Georgia and across the country.
Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to community-centered policymaking.
Warmly,
Karen Gordon
Founder, Growing Augusta / Board Member, Augusta GA Land Bank Authority
kgordon[at]growingaugusta.org
+1 (762) 233-5299
By addressing these critical issues, we can transform underutilized urban spaces into productive agricultural sites, promoting sustainable urban development and community resilience.