ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The USDA’s new St. Louis Urban Farm Service Agency Service Center will host a listening session Wednesday, Jan. 24, in collaboration with the University of Missouri.

The listening session includes in-person and virtual meeting opportunities. Both meetings will follow the same agenda.

FSA seeks to learn from urban farmers throughout St. Louis to better understand their operations, key issues they're facing and how the new service center might provide more support, said Mallory Rahe, agricultural business and policy education director for MU Extension.

“This meeting will provide an opportunity for urban farmers of all ages and backgrounds to share their experiences with USDA,” Rahe said. “The University of Missouri will be engaged to listen and learn as a project collaborator.”

The virtual meeting will be held 9-11 a.m. via Zoom. The in-person meeting is 1-3 p.m. at the St. Louis Public Library’s Schlafly branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave, St. Louis.

Find more information at http://muext.us/STLurbanlistening. RSVPs are requested but not required.

The St. Louis Urban USDA Service Center is in the Prevedel Federal Building at 9700 Page Ave. and can be reached at 636-229-0291. Urban producers in the St. Louis region can learn more about USDA programs and services and speak directly with staff for both the FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

USDA assists urban, small-scale and innovative producers with growing, processing and selling. USDA provides technical and financial assistance for a variety of growing operations, including community farms and gardens, rooftop, indoor and vertical farms, and hydroponic, aeroponic and aquaponic facilities. More information about the USDA’s urban agricultural programs can be found at https://www.usda.gov/topics/urban.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in this meeting should contact Heather Habinyak at 636-229-0291 or heather.habinyak@usda.gov.