PHOTOS: In Everett, Rep. Pressley, Commissioner Randle Convene Urban Farmers and Environmental Stewards for Timely Discussion

August 14, 2026 PHOTOS: In Everett, Rep. Pressley, Commissioner Randle Convene Urban Farmers and Environmental Stewards for Timely Discussion Tour and Convening Come During MA’s Urban Agriculture Week and While Trump Administration Cuts Local Food System Funding Photos (Dropbox) EVERETT – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Massachusetts Commissioner of Agricultural Resources Ashley Randle visited the Everett Community Garden to convene urban farmers, environmental stewards, elected officials, and policymakers for a tour and roundtable discussion on the future of urban agriculture and environmental stewardship in Massachusetts. The timely discussion comes as the Trump Administration continues to cut funding to support underserved farmers, urban forestry, environmental justice, and nutrition assistance programs, exacerbating food insecurity and the climate crisis. The convening was hosted in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and Everett Community Growers (ECG) and highlighted the essential work of urban farmers and environmental stewards in advancing food sovereignty, healthy food access, environmental justice, and climate resilience. “Urban agriculture is about more than just food—it is community in action, promoting food sovereignty, environmental justice, and climate resilience,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “While Trump and Republicans attack urban farmers and rip food away from our families, I’m grateful for the meaningful work done by the Commonwealth and cities like Everett to stand in the gap. It was a joy to see this work up close and discuss how we can continue creating more just, equitable, and sustainable communities.” “Urban agriculture is a movement and practice that helps to transform communities by tackling the root causes of injustices in food systems and nourishing the souls and stomachs of community members,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle . “I am deeply grateful for the Congresswoman’s tireless advocacy in her district and beyond to ensure community voices are heard so we can continue advancing and deepening our support of urban agriculture across the Commonwealth. Together, we’re working to ensure that all community members have access to local, fresh food.” “Events like this are important because they bring together the people working at every level to improve access to fresh, healthy food,” said Mayor Robert J. Van Campen . “Here in Everett, we’re doing our part through our farmers markets, Community Fridge and partnerships with local organizations, while looking for new opportunities to expand urban agriculture and community gardening. I’m proud to see Everett be part of this larger effort to build healthier, more accessible food systems across Massachusetts.” “Everett Community Growers is grateful to have gathered our friends and neighbors from across the district on a beautiful summer day to celebrate urban agriculture. The passion, creativity, and care of urban farmers was in full bloom in Everett’s community garden today.” –Everett Community Growers Photos from the event are available here . Congresswoman Pressley and Commissioner Randle were joined at the convening by Everett Mayor Robert Van Campen, Everett City Councilor At-Large Katy Rogers, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, United States Department of Agriculture – Farm Service Agency, Grow Boston – City of Boston, Public Space & Urban Forestry – City of Somerville, Cambridge Health Alliance, Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, Massachusetts Sierra Club, UMass Urban Agriculture Extension Service, Northeastern Organic Farmers Association, Charles River Watershed Association, Mystic River Watershed Association, Conservation Law Foundation, The Urban Farming Institute, We Grow Microgreens, Trust for Public Land, Green City Growers, The Food Project, Boston Farms, Haley House, GreenRoots, Eastie Farm, and urban farmers, environmental stewards, and community leaders from across Greater Boston. Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has also been a champion for food security and justice and ensuring families have the essential food assistance they deserve. She has been an outspoken critic of the Big, Ugly Bill since its inception and Republicans’ harmful cuts to SNAP and other government service programs. Rep. Pressley held an emergency convening and press conference with SNAP-dependent food retailers to make plain how the 2025 Trump-Republican government shutdown and ongoing uncertainty over November SNAP benefits is harming Massachusetts families and our local economy. Rep. Pressley joined Rep. McGovern convened a listening session in East Boston with Project Bread to highlight the devastating impacts that Trump’s Big, Ugly Bill will have on Massachusetts families who rely on federal food assistance. Rep. Pressley joined colleagues at a press conference imploring the House to reject the cruel and harmful legislation. Rep. Pressley joined the Congressional Black Caucus and over 100 colleagues in stalling a vote on the Big, Ugly Bill. Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Senate’s passage of the Big, Ugly Bill and vowing to continue fighting it using every tool available. Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates from Caring Across Generations, Care Can’t Wait, and partner organizations to protest Trump’s and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that proposes disastrous cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs and would leave communities sicker, poorer, and more vulnerable. Ahead of the House’s vote on the bill, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor in which she made a direct appeal to her Republican colleagues to oppose this cruel and harmful bill. Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she slammed the bill’s proposed Medicaid cuts, which would decimate reproductive healthcare in America and worsen maternal health outcomes. Rep. Pressley co-hosted a press conference with Color of Change to oppose the Republicans’ cruel and harmful budget reconciliation package, which would gut critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP. In the House Oversight Committee’s markup of the Republican reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley demanded Republicans answer to the families who would go hungry by way of this reconciliation bill – and she was met with silence. In an impassioned speech on the House floor , Rep. Pressley slammed Republicans’ cruel and callous budget resolution that would slash Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical government services to pay for trillions of dollars in tax giveaways for Donald Trump’s billionaire donors. ### Back to News Next Article Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email