USDA / Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency Louisiana Announce Urban Service Center Grand Opening in New Orleans

Alexandria, LA, August 15, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the opening of 17 new Urban Service Centers in the next year including one in New Orleans. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are hosting the grand opening of the new Urban Service Center in New Orleans at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23. The grand opening will take place at the Urban Service Center located at 2520 Bayou Road New Orleans, LA 70119.

The Urban Service Centers will be staffed by FSA and NRCS employees and will offer farm loans, conservation, disaster assistance and risk management programs. USDA works with agricultural producers through a network of more than 2,300 Service Centers nationwide and the new Urban Service Centers will strengthen services to urban agricultural producers.

“Every producer deserves USDA support in their own community, whether that community is in an urban or rural setting,” said Chad Kacir, NRCS State Conservationist in Louisiana, “We encourage people in urban communities to connect with us and learn what programs and services we have to meet their unique needs.”

“Providing urban agricultural producers with the same level of support as all farmers and ranchers is key to equitable USDA assistance,” said Ronald Guidry, Jr., FSA State Executive Director in Louisiana. “Through local-level partnerships, USDA will learn how to expand our networks, infrastructure and services to urban producers as they strengthen resilient local food systems and nutrition access for all communities.”   

All are welcome to attend the grand opening on August 23, but space is limited. Please RSVP by contacting Audrina Lange at Audrina.Lange@usda.gov, 318-446-4484 or Anthony Reed at Anthony.Reed1@usda.gov, 318-473-7687. If you plan to attend and need special accommodations, please include those needs in your RSVP. A ribbon cutting and light refreshments will follow a brief opening ceremony.

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