USDA, Latest Releases
USDA Announces Funding to Improve Electric Service to Customers in 13 States
Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:00pmWASHINGTON, April 10, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for projects to improve electric service in rural areas across 13 states. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today’s announcement is one part of the Department’s efforts to strengthen the rural economy. USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Doug O’Brien made today’s announcement on Vilsack’s behalf.
USDA and Federal Partners Renew Commitment to Improve Access to Safe Drinking Water and Basic Sanitation in Indian Country
Mon, 04/08/2013 - 10:00pmWASHINGTON, April 9, 2013--Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager announced today that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Department of Interior (DOI), to continue to work together to reduce by 50 percent the number of tribal homes lacking access to safe water and basic sanitation by 2015. The announcement was made during the 2013 Tribal Utility Summit in Nashville, Tenn. The United South & Eastern Tribes, EPA, IHS, and USDA are co-hosting a workshop titled “The Sustainable Management of Rural and Small Water/Wastewater Systems” during the summit.
Statements on Departure of Under Secretary Harris Sherman from USDA
Sun, 04/07/2013 - 10:00pmWASHINGTON, April 8, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Under Secretary Harris Sherman today made the following statements on Under Secretary Sherman’s departure from USDA:
USDA Seeks Applications to Promote Job Creation and Boost the Rural Economy
Sun, 04/07/2013 - 10:00pmWASHINGTON, April 8, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that applications are being accepted from qualified non-profit and public organizations (intermediaries) to provide loans to support rural businesses and community development groups. Funding, which is intended to spark business expansion and create jobs will be made available through USDA’s Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Outlines USDA Efforts to Raise a Healthier Generation of Americans; Highlights Efforts to Improve School Meals
Thu, 04/04/2013 - 10:00pmWEST HARTFORD, Conn., April 5, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today discussed USDA efforts to improve school meals and outlined the need for a renewed commitment to improve childhood nutrition, which will lead to a healthier generation of Americans.
Grants to Help Farms & Ranches Build Resilience to Drought
Wed, 04/03/2013 - 10:00pmWASHINGTON, April 4, 2013 - Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of $5.3 million in Conservation Innovation Grants to develop approaches and technology that will help producers adapt to extreme climate changes that cause drought. These grants will fund projects benefiting several states that were significantly impacted by last year's drought. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy.
USDA Opens Export Markets for Day-Old Chicks, Hatching Eggs, Dairy Cattle and Pears
Tue, 04/02/2013 - 10:00pmWASHINGTON, April 3, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced recent results of the Agency’s efforts to support exports of U.S. agricultural products. APHIS’ recent efforts are expected to help increase exports of U.S. cattle, poultry products, and pears by over $85 million a year.
USDA Announces Program to Facilitate the Export of Further Processed Eggs and Egg Products
Tue, 04/02/2013 - 10:00pmWASHINGTON, April 3, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has developed a program to certify processed eggs and egg products for export, providing new opportunities for U.S. food exporters.
USDA Partners with More States to Boost Program Integrity; Protect Taxpayer Investment
Tue, 04/02/2013 - 10:00pmWASHINGTON, April 3, 2013 – Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced Washington and Ohio have joined a new federal-state partnership targeting recipient fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of its SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project. Under the partnership, USDA shares its experience in monitoring retailer fraud with states to help them more aggressively target suspicious activity and improve tactics to catch recipients that attempt to commit SNAP fraud.
USDA Announces New Conservation Collaboration with DuPont to Promote Sustainable Harvesting of Bio-based Feedstocks for Cellulosic Ethanol
Fri, 03/29/2013 - 7:30amJOHNSTON, IOWA, March 29, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new federal-private collaboration with DuPont to safeguard natural resources on private lands used to supply bio-based feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol production.
USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects
Fri, 03/29/2013 - 7:00amWASHINGTON, March 29, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Outlines USDA Efforts to Raise a Healthier Generation of Americans; Highlights Efforts to Increase Access to Affordable and Healthy Food
Thu, 03/28/2013 - 11:45amSIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, March 28, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today discussed USDA efforts to improve access to healthy foods, and outlined the need for a renewed commitment to improve childhood nutrition, which includes empowering parents to provide healthy meals for their families. In remarks at a Hy-Vee, Inc. grocery store, Secretary Vilsack noted that increasing access to healthy foods is one of USDA’s top priorities.
Statements on Departure of Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager from USDA
Wed, 03/27/2013 - 1:00pmWASHINGTON, March 27, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager today made the following statements on Under Secretary Tonsager's departure from USDA:
Secretary Vilsack Launches USDA "StrikeForce" Initiative to Boost Rural Economic Growth and Opportunity
Tue, 03/26/2013 - 4:51amCOLUMBIA, South Carolina, March 26, 2013—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will launch its ”StrikeForce” initiative in 10 additional states, including South Carolina. The primary goal of the StrikeForce initiative is to increase partnership with rural communities and leverage community resources in targeted, persistent poverty areas. Vilsack noted that through the StrikeForce initiative, USDA will do more to partner with local and state governments and community organizations on projects that promote economic development and job creation.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Hispanic and Women Farmers and Ranchers Claims Must be Filed by MAY 1, 2013
Mon, 03/25/2013 - 8:00amWASHINGTON, March 25, 2013- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the extension of the voluntary claims process for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades. All claims must now be filed by MAY 1, 2013.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Outlines USDA Efforts to Raise a Healthier Generation of Americans; Highlights Benefits for Business and the Economy
Wed, 03/20/2013 - 10:30pmATLANTA, March 21, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today outlined the need for a renewed commitment to improve childhood nutrition, which will lead to a healthier generation of Americans and a productive workforce to keep growing American business.
USDA Announces New Partnership with States to Strengthen Integrity of Nation's Most Vital Nutrition Assistance Program
Wed, 03/20/2013 - 7:00amWASHINGTON, March 20, 2013 – Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced a new federal-state partnership targeting recipient fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). USDA will share its extensive experience in monitoring retailer fraud to help states develop a more robust set of tools to identify suspicious activity and improve tactics to catch recipients that attempt to commit SNAP fraud. By law, USDA is responsible for overseeing the more than 250,000 retailers that redeem SNAP benefits nationwide, while states are responsible for identifying and pursuing fraudulent activity by recipients.
Statement from Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan on Departure from USDA
Fri, 03/15/2013 - 10:15amWASHINGTON, March 15, 2013 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan today made the following statement on her departure from the USDA:
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Departure of Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan
Thu, 03/14/2013 - 3:30pmWASHINGTON, March 14, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today made the following statement on the departure of Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan:
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Outlines USDA Efforts to Raise a Healthier Generation of Americans; Affirms Need for Generational Change
Thu, 03/14/2013 - 7:30amPORTLAND, Maine, March 14, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today outlined the need for a generational commitment to improve childhood nutrition, which will lead to a healthier generation of Americans. While health and nutrition are complex topics, Vilsack noted USDA has made significant focus on improving consumers’ access to information and helping consumers have better access to food, which together will ensure progress as the nation battles both childhood obesity and malnutrition. Vilsack made his remarks at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at the Maine Medical Center where he was joined by Portland Mayor Michael Brennan, and representatives from the medical, nutrition, public health, education, military, and business communities.
