Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Induction of Cesar Chavez, Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton...
WASHINGTON, November 5, 2015 –Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced two new inductees, Cesar Chavez and Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton, into the U.S. Department of Agriculture Hall of Heroes. Established in September 2000, the Hall of Heroes recognizes those who have had a lasting impact on agriculture and America’s rural communities....
USDA Invests $30 Million to Improve Water Quality in Mississippi River...
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest $30 million this year in 33 new projects and 40 existing projects to improve water quality in high priority watersheds the Mississippi River Basin. These projects reduce loss of nutrients and sediment to...
USDA Provides $314 Million in Water and Waste Infrastructure Improvements in...
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2015 – USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced loans and grants for 141 projects to build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities across the nation....
USDA Ranks High in EPA Report on Renewable Energy Use
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2015—The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to lead in the use of green power according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Top 100 list of the largest green power users nationally. USDA ranked eighth among federal agencies and 92 among all sectors....
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden Announces New USDA Commitments to Help...
LOUISVILLE, October 29, 2015—Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced a commitment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize $5.6 billion over the next two years within USDA programs and services that serve new and beginning farmers and ranchers. Deputy Secretary Harden also announced a new, tailored web tool d...
USDA to Establish First-Ever SNAP Employment Training Center of Excellence
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2015 – Today Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of the nation’s first Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) Center of Excellence. The Center of Excellence will build on the Administration’s commitment to job-driven training. It will build on best practices that help...
USDA Announces $210 Million to be Invested in Renewable Energy Infrastructure...
KISSIMMEE, Fla., Oct. 28, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists. In May 2015, USDA announced t...
USDA Announces $3.7 Million to Repair Rural Housing
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is investing $3.7 million to help rural families repair and rehabilitate their homes. The funds are being awarded through the Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program in 46 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to support the renovation of 1,147 units....
Secretary Vilsack Announces Additional Progress in Addressing Childhood Hunger, Applauds Pediatricians...
WASHINGTON, October 26, 2015 – Today at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that with the current school year underway, 97 percent of schools now report successfully meeting updated nutrition standards, and the number of eligible high-poverty schools utilizing U...
USDA Provides Funding for More Than 1,100 Renewable Energy and Energy...
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding loans and grants that will help more than 1,100 rural small businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy usage and costs in their operations....
