Consumers now can access a national database and resources to find local food and family farms in their area through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Under Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced the online resources yesterday.
USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF) website includes the KYF Compass, which points site visitors to local and regional food projects, as well as photos, videos and case studies. An interactive map depicts the family farms across the country. The site also features information about local food infrastructure, agriculture education and careers, local meat and poultry, healthy food access and local food knowledge.
“By encouraging all Americans to know their farmer, USDA is helping consumers learn more about agriculture and the people producing your food,” Merrigan said. “The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative helps farmers and ranchers tap into a vibrant, growing market opportunity. And it’s also stimulating a broader national conversation about where our food comes from and how important agriculture is to our country.”
The USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative launched in September 2009 through funding from the 2008 Farm Bill.