USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Farmers Facing Market Downturn
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that beginning today, nearly one half of the 1.7 million farms that signed up for either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs will receive safety-net payments for the 2014 crop year....
USDA Awards Nearly $2.3 Billion in Loans for 77 Rural Electric...
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $2.3 billion in loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 31 states....
Fact Sheet: USDA Invests in New Market Opportunities in Local and...
Over the course of the Administration, USDA has created new economic opportunities in the growing market for local and regional foods for new and established farmers, ranchers and small food business entrepreneurs. Through investments at the farm level in the form of production research, credit and conservation assistance; infrastructure...
USDA Announces Lanon Baccam as Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and...
WASHINGTON, October 21, 2015—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced Lanon Baccam as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, overseeing the Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison....
New USDA Data Show Growing Farm to School Efforts Help to...
NEW YORK, October 20, 2015 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced preliminary Farm to School Census data for school year 2013-2014 that indicate strong farm to school programs can increase the number of students purchasing school breakfast and lunch, improve consumption of healthier foods at school, and reduce plate waste. Census data...
USDA Announces Funding to Aid Rural Businesses and Create Jobs
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $12.5 million in loans and grants for 39 projects that will help rural businesses in 21 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico....
FACT SHEET: USDA Invests in Locally-Led Conservation Projects Through New Regional...
Created under the 2014 Farm Bill, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a new, comprehensive and flexible program that is designed to build strong and diverse partnerships, multiply the federal conservation investment and target conservation goals on a regional or watershed scale....
USDA to Invest $30 million to Help Protect Wetlands in Six...
DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 15, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will award $30 million to projects in six states to protect, restore and enhance wetlands on private and tribal agricultural lands. The projects are being funded under the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP), a p...
Fact Sheet: Impact of USDA Investments to Protect and Sustain America’s...
Over the past six years, USDA has worked with private landowners to implement voluntary conservation practices that conserve and clean the water we drink. USDA support—leveraged with historic outside investments—boosts producer incomes and rewards them for their good work....
USDA Invests in Global Food Security
Today, 795 million people around the world do not have access to a sufficient supply of safe and nutritious food. The United Nations estimates that worldwide demand for food will increase 70 percent by 2050. To meet this need, production in developing countries will need to almost double....
