Mayor Duggan Names Patrice Brown New Associate Director of Urban Agriculture

Today, Mayor Mike Duggan announced the appointment of Patrice Brown as the city’s new Associate Director of Urban Agriculture. Brown brings over 9 years of experience in developing opportunities for food retailers and helping local communities increase their access to food.   

In September 2023, Mayor Duggan announced the city’s first Urban Agriculture Director, with the purpose of encouraging urban farming by improving city policies and reducing red tape. Urban Agriculture was previously housed under the General Services Department and will now be overseen within the Office of Sustainability, led by former Urban Agriculture Director, Tepfirah Rushdan. Brown will continue working to improve food security, streamline services for gardens and farms, and improve neighborhoods through sustainable practices. 

“Detroit values our urban agriculture community, and we want to continue encouraging farming as the demand for land in the city increases,” said Mayor Duggan. “Patrice Brown, in partnership with Tepfirah Rushdan and the Office of Sustainability, will ensure that our administration supports urban farmers whose work significantly contributes to the city’s sustainability efforts and economic growth.”

A longtime Detroit community advocate, Brown has a proven track record of collaboration with various local organizations and non-profits.  Having previously served at the city in 2006, Brown brings a depth of knowledge and passion for community engagement. Since 2017, Brown served as the Food Access Coordinator at the Eastern Market Corporation, where she worked to create additional food access points for both farmers and retailers.   In her new role at the City of Detroit, Brown will work closely with city departments to create sustainable practices and improve urban agriculture. 

“I am excited to help create more streamlined services, increase food security, and improved neighborhood environments through the sustainable practices within urban AG. I'm especially excited about creating a greener and healthier Detroit,” said Brown. “It is important that residents in the agricultural community, navigate city services more effectively. We are in a pivotal place in urban AG across the US and the world is watching the Detroit AG community. I'm excited to show how our neighborhood environments can be transformed through food.” 

The Office of Urban Agriculture has worked on several key initiatives aimed at helping Detroiters access land, water, and other resources needed for farming.  Last month, the city of Detroit made a commitment to pollinator conservation and ecological sustainability through a partnership with Bee City USA®.  

 In 2013, the city created the Urban Agriculture Ordinance to allow urban farming to take place in Detroit. Recently proposed ordinance looks to expand urban farming further by allowing two honeybee hives and/or eight chickens or ducks per household. 

“We are so happy to have Patrice aboard,” says Tepfirah Rushdan. “She truly cares about people and has spent much of her life helping shape Detroit’s food system. She brings an equity lens to the work and dedicated to this city. I can’t wait to see what she is able to accomplish in this position.” 

Brown plans to expand spaces designated for agriculture and place an emphasis on Agribusiness in Detroit.  She says that she hopes to see more land in the hands of Detroiters, giving them the resources needed to create responsible and sustainable land stewardship in the city.