Report Shows that Farm Bill Conservation Practices Reduce Runoff of Nutrients,...
WASHINGTON, December 5, 2013 – A record number of voluntary conservation practices adopted by Chesapeake Bay farmers since 2006 have significantly reduced the amount of nitrogen, sediment and phosphorus leaving cultivated croplands, according to a new report released today....
USDA Works to Help Restore Water and Electric Service to Rural...
WASHINGTON, November 6, 2012 – As part of federal efforts to provide necessary support to those affected by Hurricane Sandy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that power and water services have been restored to more than 130,000 rural customers on USDA-financed systems in nine states....
USDA Announces New Support for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
DAVIS, Calif., June 23, 2014 - U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced the implementation of new Farm Bill measures and other policy changes to improve the financial security of new and beginning farmers and ranchers....
USDA Offers Assistance to Carolina Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Floods
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the recent floods in North and South Carolina that USDA has programs to assist with their recovery efforts. State and county staff in USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), N...
Obama Administration's National Drought Resilience Partnership to Help Communities Prepare for...
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2013—As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the Obama Administration today announced an interagency National Drought Resilience Partnership to help communities better prepare for future droughts and reduce the impact of drought events on livelihoods and the economy. Responding to requests from communities, bus...
Agriculture Secretary Announces Projects to Improve Water Quality
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for projects in 40 states to finance investments in improved water and wastewater systems for more than 200,000 rural residents....
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Addresses Access to Credit for Veterans, Young and...
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Feb. 14, 2013—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talked with veterans, young, beginning and socially-disadvantaged producers today at a community center in San Antonio, Texas, about USDA’s work to expand credit for their farming operations. USDA is hearing from excited producers all across the country about USDA’s new microloan p...
Open Data from USDA, Microsoft Cloud Technology Become Tools to Strengthen...
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Microsoft officials today announced the winners of the USDA-Microsoft Innovation Challenge, in which contestants used USDA agriculture production open data to develop online tools that can help make the American food supply more resilient in the face of climate change....
USDA Seeks Applications for Loans and Grants to Help Grow Rural...
WASHINGTON, March 22, 2016 – Rural Business Cooperative-Service Administrator Sam Rikkers today announced that USDA is seeking applications for loans and grants to help support the start-up or expansion of rural businesses....
Agriculture Secretary Announces Rural Schools Payments
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2014--Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that over $300 million will be paid to 41 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in support of local schools and roads as part of the Congressional reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The disbursement incudes $30 million...
