Representative Adriano Espaillat Introduces the Harvesting Knowledge Act

NEW YORK, NY – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) has introduced the Harvesting Knowledge Act, legislation to support urban agriculture education—a critical yet often overlooked curriculum that will jumpstart students’ interest and careers in sustainable agricultural technology.

“Nurturing student access to STEM education and urban agriculture will be critical to the health and sustainability of our future,” said Rep. Espaillat. “This bill will help train tomorrow’s biologists, nutritionists, and climate change scientists—especially in urban areas with limited access to farms. By increasing access to new technologies and skills today, our students and their families will have the resources they need to help secure a sustainable future in the face of the daily challenges of climate change.”

The Harvesting Knowledge Act would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include indoor agricultural technology as an activity that supports well-rounded education and provide grant funding for related projects.

The bill will also:

* Provide a dedicated funding stream for urban agriculture education

* Focus on including hydroponic and aquaponic technologies in classroom education

* Introduce hands-on activities to cultivate interest in biology, nutrition, and sustainability