USDA Press Releases

USDA Celebrates Native American Heritage Month: Vilsack Highlights Support for Native Americans

  WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today commemorated Native American Heritage Month and recognized USDA programs that strengthen Native Americans and their communities. "This month, USDA is highlighting its support for …

Alaska Native Villages to Receive Upgrades to Water and Wastewater Systems

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the award of 11 grants to help rural Alaska villages finance water system upgrades and improve the quality of life for residents. "These awards will dramatically improve …

USDA Announces Funding to Improve Rural Housing

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that recipients in 45 states, the Western Pacific and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will receive grants to make housing repairs and improve housing conditions for limited …

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Projects to Improve Farm and Rural Business Energy Efficiency

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for 424 projects across the nation that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, and use renewable energy …

USDA Invests in Research to Convert Beetle-Killed Trees into Renewable Energy

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it has awarded nearly $10 million to a consortium of academic, industry and government organizations led by Colorado State University (CSU) and their partners to research …

APHIS Finalizes Bovine Import Regulations in Line with International Animal Health Standards

WASHINGTON, November 1, 2013 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced today a final rule that will complete efforts to modernize the Agency's import regulations for bovine …

2013 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour Begins

Newport, Wash., Oct.31, 2013 – The Colville National Forest and its nonprofit partner, Choose Outdoors, announce the kickoff of the 2013 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour with a cutting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. The "Peoples Tree" will be …

US Forest Service Waives Fees During Veterans Day Weekend

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2013 –The U.S. Forest Service is waiving fees at most of its day-use recreation sites over the Veterans Day holiday weekend, Nov. 9-11. The fee waivers – the fourth this year – are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies …

Payments for Popular Conservation Program Ready Following Shutdown Delay

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2013 – Farmers waiting for their Conservation Security or Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) payments should receive them in the coming days. The shutdown of the federal government delayed some of the $907 million in payments from …

Secretary Vilsack Highlights First-Ever Report on USDA Efforts to Expand Agroforestry Practices on Farms, Ranches and Woodlands

WASHINGTON, October 28, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the first-ever report on USDA's role advancing agroforestry. Agroforestry: USDA Reports to America details how agroforestry practices are helping farmers, ranchers and …

Vilsack Establishes the People's Garden Project on Bicentennial of Lincoln's Birth

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2009 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today "broke pavement" on the inaugural USDA The People's Garden during a ceremony on the grounds of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) commemorating the 200th birthday of …

Agriculture Secretary Announces Electric System Improvements in 23 States

WASHINGTON, October 24, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for rural electric utility system improvements that will benefit residential and business customers in 23 states. The projects include more than $14.3 million to …

USDA Announces Funds to Provide Broadband in Unserved Rural Communities

  WASHINGTON, October 24, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced 14 awards for projects to bring broadband to unserved rural communities. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator John Padalino made the …

Obama Administration Officials Discuss Navy's Successful Demonstration of Domestic Biofuel and New Energy Efficiencies in Major ...

Audio WASHINGTON. D.C., July 19, 2012 – U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal held a conference call today to brief media on the …

Agriculture Secretary Announces Record Sales, Income and Assets for Agriculture and Fishery Cooperatives in 2012

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2013 - In recognition of October as National Cooperative Month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that U.S. farmer, rancher and fishery cooperatives set records for sales, income and assets in 2012, buoyed by strong …

USDA Under Secretary Meets with South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by Blizzard, Urges Farm Bill Passage

RAPID CITY, South Dakota, Oct. 22, 2013 -- Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse announced today that conservation assistance is available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for those affected by the Atlas …

USDA Celebrates National Farm to School Month

WASHINGTON, October 22, 2013 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted important strides made in offering healthy, local food to millions of school children through USDA's Farm to School program, and emphasized the program's role in …

US Forest Service Seeks Comments on Year-Round Recreation Activities at Ski Areas

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2013 – The U.S. Forest Service recently published a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on proposed criteria to evaluate activities and facilities allowed at ski areas on Forest Service lands under the Ski Area Recreational …

USDA Announces Availability of Funding to Develop Advanced Biofuels Projects

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2013 –Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $181 million to develop commercial-scale biorefineries or retrofit existing facilities with appropriate technology to develop advanced biofuels. The U.S. …

USDA Announces Cancellation and Postponement of Selected Reports Impacted by the Lapse in Federal Funding