PHILADELPHIA (March 192024) – Today,US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz and Charlottesville Mayor Juandiego Wade marked National Agriculture Week by visiting the urban garden at the high school of Charlottesville to learn from students about their sustainable farming practices and the impact on the community of Charlottesville, Virginia.
During this visit, Ortiz and Wade engaged with students, CHS staff and community members to explore the garden and learn about its impact on promoting environmental sustainability and addressing food equity in the local community.
“Charlottesville High School’s urban garden exemplifies the power of aligning education, community involvement and environmental stewardship for a brighter, cleaner future.”said the EPA’s Mid-Atlantic regional administratorgold Adam Ortiz. “Testifying the students’ passion and commitment to building a resilient, sustainable and equitable community highlights the power these initiatives have in inspiring the next generation of leaders in agriculture and environmental conservation.”
Ortiz spoke to the students about the vital role of the agricultural community as spine of the nation He shared that local initiatives like urban gardening help contribute to clean air and water, while also helping farmers overcome extreme climate challenges for stronger food systems and healthier, more resilient communities. resistant
The heads as well recognized students and faculty of the Urban Agriculture Program for their focus on entrepreneurship, the environmently friendly practices and food securityace evidence from their annual contributions of up to 2,000 pounds of produceto the community.
“It was such an incredible opportunity to have Adam Ortiz visit the CHS urban garden and witness the students’ commitment to the protection and success of urban agriculture as an important climate resilience and adaptation strategy , “. Charlottesville said MAyor Juandthat is to sayGo Wade. “A sustainable and food secure future starts with our youth and that is evident based on the involvement and hard work of the students here in Charlottesville.”
This visit also allowed Ortiz and Wade to meet with the leaders of Cultivate Charlottesville, a non-profit organization that helps manage urban gardens, to talk about their role in using garden products to increase access to healthy foods and create the environmental resilience in underserved sectors of the Charlottesville community.
“We are honored to welcome the EPA and Mayor Wade to our school to witness firsthand the incredible work being done in our urban garden.” said Charlottesville High School interim principal Kenneth Leatherwood. “Our staff and students are doing a great job, and we want our students to fully understand what EPA is doing to help the agricultural community.”
EPA is committed to raising awareness of sustainable agricultural practices for continued environmental stewardship through continued environmental education and outreach efforts.
Visit the EPA website for more information on urban agriculture.
Visit the Charlottesville High School Urban Agriculture website for more information.
