USDA, Latest Releases
Obama Administration to Hire 20,000 Young People for Summer Work on Public Lands
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, and SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS, CA, May 18, 2012 – In response to President Obama’s call to expand opportunities for summer employment for young people and connect them with the great outdoors, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley today highlighted summer work opportunities for more than 20,000 young people, ages 15-25, in national forests, national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Visits California to Promote Healthy Food Access
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 12:00amWATSONVILLE, Calif., May 18, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today joined leaders from the produce industry at Driscoll’s Berries farm to promote healthy food access and to highlight a new report that underscores that fruits and vegetables are an affordable part of a balanced diet.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan and California Business Leaders Share Ideas on How to Boost Small Businesses and Create Jobs
Thu, 05/17/2012 - 12:00amFAIRFIELD, Calif., May 17, 2012—Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today met with local leaders and business owners at the Solano County Government Center to gather input on how the Obama administration can work with local businesses in the agriculture sector to improve economic conditions and create jobs. The event is one in a series of roundtables being held across the nation with senior Obama administration officials on behalf of the White House Business Council.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Visits California to Promote Healthy Food Access
Wed, 05/16/2012 - 12:00amDAVIS, Calif., May 16, 2012 — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today toured the Davis Farmer’s Market to highlight the Obama administration’s efforts to expand healthy food access by increasing the number of farmers markets participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. USDA recently awarded more than $426,000 to California to expand availability of wireless technology in farmers’ markets not currently participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The funding provides SNAP participants greater access to fresh and healthy food, while supporting American farmers and local economies.
Secretary Vilsack Highlights Importance of Agriculture Education and Research to America's Prosperity
Wed, 05/16/2012 - 12:00amSTATE COLLEGE, Pa., May 16, 2012 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today visited Pennsylvania State University to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the land-grant university system to highlight the groundbreaking research, education, and innovation taking place at these storied institutions.
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 15, 2012–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement about the U.S-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, or Colombia TPA, which enters into force today.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Celebrates USDA's 150th Year of Service, Highlights Ways the Every Day, Every Way' Department Works for American People
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 15, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today marked the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and highlighted the positive impact that USDA has on the life of Americans each day.
U.S. Agencies Join Forces with First Lady and Dr. Biden to Honor and Support Military Families
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 12:00amYORKTOWN, Va., May 15, 2012 – As part of the Joining Forces initiative to support our nation’s service members and their families, several U.S. government agencies will announce an annual pass to active duty service members and their dependents, granting free access to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and other public lands around the nation in the coming years.
An Iowa Medical Center Receives USDA Support to Improve Health Care, Outpatient Services
Mon, 05/14/2012 - 12:00amJEFFERSON, Iowa - May 14, 2012 - Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager today announced that Greene County Medical Center (GCMC) in Iowa will receive $20 million in loans through the Community Facilities program to expand and renovate a 75-year-old medical facility and create a state-of-the-art medical campus.
USDA Grants to Increase Farmers Market Participation in SNAP
Wed, 05/09/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 9, 2012 — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced awards to help States expand availability of wireless technology in farmers’ markets not currently participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The $4 million in funding provides SNAP participants greater access to fresh and healthy food, while supporting American farmers and local economies.
USDA Seeks Grant Applications to Improve Rural Housing
Wed, 05/09/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 9, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that applications for grants are being accepted to provide assistance to low- and very-low-income rural residents to repair their homes.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Job Creation Funding for 12 Projects in Nine States
Wed, 05/09/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 9, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 12 recipients in nine states for loans and grants to spur economic development and create or save jobs in rural areas.
USDA Advances Water Quality Conservation Across the U.S.
Tue, 05/08/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 8, 2012 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the launch of a new National Water Quality Initiative committed to improving one to seven impaired watersheds in every U.S. state and territory. The 157 selected watersheds were identified with assistance from state agencies, key partners, and NRCS State Technical Committees. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will make available at least $33 million in financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners this year to implement conservation practices to help provide cleaner water for their neighbors and communities.
Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture Announce $5.3 million to Fund Collaborative Projects for Agricultural Water Use Efficiencies
Fri, 05/04/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 4, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Hayes today announced that collaboration between the agencies is again providing funds to improve the efficiency of agricultural water use throughout the State of California.
What They're Saying: USDA's Colorado Roadless Rule Receives Widespread Support
Fri, 05/04/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 4, 2012 – On Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper announced the final Environmental Impact Statement for the final Colorado Roadless Rule, which provides conservation for 4.2 million acres of National Forest roadless area within Colorado.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding To Improve Rural Electric Infrastructure and Make the 'Grid' More Reliable and Efficient
Fri, 05/04/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 4, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that rural electric cooperative utilities in 10 states will receive loans to install smart grid technologies and make improvements to generation and transmission facilities.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Urges Petroleum Companies to Increase Adoption of American Made Renewable Energy
Thu, 05/03/2012 - 12:00amOXFORD, N.C., May 3, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today called on petroleum companies to help increase the percentage of ethanol in America’s gas tanks in order to reduce dependence on foreign oil, boost job creation and promote development of renewable energy from farm-produced feedstocks. Recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action approved the use of E15 a fuel blend that is 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, up from the current 10 percent blend level.
USDA Invites Applications for Grants to Provide Broadband Service to Remote Rural Communities
Thu, 05/03/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 3, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications through the Community Connect Broadband program for grants to provide broadband service to residents of remote, rural communities.
Agriculture Secretary and Colorado Governor Release Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado Roadless Rule
Wed, 05/02/2012 - 12:00amDENVER, May 2, 2012—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper today announced the release of the final Environmental Impact Statement for the final Colorado Roadless Rule. The preferred alternative identified in the impact statement provides conservation for 4.2 million acres of National Forest roadless areas within Colorado. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a seven-year collaborative process between the US Forest Service and State of Colorado.
New Proposed BioPreferred Regulation to Expand Biobased Products for Federal Purchase
Tue, 05/01/2012 - 12:00amWASHINGTON, May 1, 2012- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the publication in the Federal Register of new proposed guidelines for the USDA BioPreferred program that could expand the ability of USDA to designate biobased products for Federal purchase. USDA is proposing to allow for the designation of intermediate ingredients such as fibers, resins, and chemicals so that the products made from them could more easily be designated for preferred Federal procurement.
