USDA Secretary Announces Creation of Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research
WASHINGTON, July 23, 2014 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the creation of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) and the appointment of a 15-member board of directors. The new foundation will leverage public and private resources to increase the scientific and technological research, innovation, and...
USDA Reminds Farmers of 2014 Farm Bill Conservation Compliance Changes
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2014 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded producers that changes mandated through the 2014 Farm Bill require them to have on file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026). The Farm Bill relinked highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation compliance with e...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Proclaims August 3-9 National Farmers Market Week
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared August 3 through 9, 2014, "National Farmers Market Week". Throughout the week, USDA will celebrate our nation's thousands of farmers markets, farmers who make them possible and the communities that host them....
USDA Awards Grants to Native American Communities to Strengthen Small Businesses...
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is providing support to Native American communities in 18 states to help strengthen tribal business and create jobs. The funding is from USDA's Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program, which promotes the development of small and emerging businesses i...
Watershed Rehabilitation Funding to Repair Dams in 26 States
PERRY, Oklahoma, July 18, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that communities across the nation will benefit from a $262 million investment to rehabilitate dams that provide critical infrastructure and protect public health and safety....
USDA Provides Aid to 73,000 Rural Californians Impacted by Drought
FARMERSVILLE, Calif., July 18, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA is providing $9.7 million in emergency water assistance to 73,000 residents in 11 California counties experiencing the driest year on record....
Historic Farm Bill Funding Available to Organic Producers and Handlers
WASHINGTON, July 17, 2014 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that approximately $13 million in Farm Bill funding is now available for organic certification cost-share assistance, making certification more accessible than ever for small certified producers and handlers....
Research Projects to Improve Plant Feedstocks for Bioenergy Production
WASHINGTON, July 17, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the selection of 10 projects that are being awarded funding aimed at accelerating genetic breeding programs to improve plant feedstocks for the production of biofuels, biopower, and biobased products....
USDA Announces Funding to Improve Electric Systems in Rural Areas
WASHINGTON, July 16, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $263.3 million to help modernize and improve the reliability of rural electric systems in eight states....
USDA Awards Funds to Promote Development of Rural Wood to Energy...
WASHINGTON, July 15, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of more than $2.5 million in grants to develop wood energy teams in 11 states and an additional $1.25 million for nine wood energy projects....
