USDA Awards Almost $3 Million in Research Grants to Increase Food...
WASHINGTON, April 23, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced three grants designed to boost food security by minimizing livestock losses to insects and diseases. The awards to support research, education, and Extension efforts were made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Resea...
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces New 1.6 Megawatt Solar Farm at USDA...
WASHINGTON, April 22, 2015 – At a ribbon cutting ceremony today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the activation of USDA’s first solar array project in the National Capital Region. The 1.6 Megawatt (MW) solar farm, located at the George Washington Carver Center (Carver Center) in Beltsville, Maryland, is the largest solar array on fed...
USDA Announces Water Quality and Energy Efficiency Projects Across Rural America
WASHINGTON, April 22, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today celebrated Earth Day by announcing support for projects to improve rural water and wastewater services, promote renewable energy, and promote the efficient use of energy resources....
Voluntary Conservation Effort to Clear California San Joaquin Valley Air Gets...
WASHINGTON, April 21, 2015 – Voluntary efforts by farmers, ranchers, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve air quality in California’s San Joaquin Valley have received regulatory acknowledgement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Earlier this month, EPA published a revis...
USDA Announces Funding for Rural Electric Infrastructure Projects
WASHINGTON, April 21, 2015 – USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for six rural electric infrastructure projects, including three in North Carolina that will use solar energy to generate electricity for rural communities....
Successful Conservation Partnership Keeps Bi-State Sage-Grouse off Endangered Species List
RENO, Nev. April 21, 2015 – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the Bi-State population of greater sage-grouse does not require the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)....
Largest Forest Service Restoration Initiative Reaches Milestone
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2015 – U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said today that the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), the largest landscape-scale restoration initiative of its kind, has reached a pivotal milestone towards achieving accelerated forest restoration on more than 500,000 acres of the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and...
U.S. Forest Service Expands Access to Youth Conservation Corps Program
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2015 – The U.S. Forest Service is announcing new Youth Conservation Corps job opportunities on national forests throughout the country. Young people from across the United States are encouraged to apply for these jobs at a local forest or with a partner organization....
With USDA Assistance, Private Landowners Play Pivotal Role Aiding Gulf Recovery
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2015 – In the five years since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, America’s farmers, ranchers and forest managers have partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to voluntarily help Gulf of Mexico ecosystems recover. Their proven conservation efforts on private lands have helped clean and conserve water, restore ha...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Proclaims April 2015 National Garden Month
WASHINGTON, April 17, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared April National Garden Month. Throughout the month, USDA will celebrate the contributions of home, school and community gardens in providing healthy food for the table; pleasant surroundings and recreational benefits for people; and beneficial habitat for wildlife across...
