USDA and DOE Fund 7 Research Projects to Develop Plant Feedstocks...
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2013 - The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) today announced $8 million in research grants to develop non-food feedstocks that can be used for bioenergy. The grants are part of a broader effort by the Obama administration to develop domestic renewable energy and advanced biofuels, providing a more secure...
Secretary Vilsack Announces Partnership to Advance Commercial Potential of Cellulosic Nanomaterial...
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2013 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a public-private partnership to rapidly advance the development of the first U.S. commercial facility producing cellulosic nanomaterial, a wood fiber broken down to the nanoscale. The partnership is between the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and C...
USDA Grants Support Organic Agriculture Research
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today awarded five grants to support research, education and Extension programs that will improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers....
Agriculture, Navy Secretaries Promote U.S. Military Energy Independence with 'Farm-to-Fleet'
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus today announced the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Navy’s joint “Farm-to-Fleet” venture will now make biofuel blends part of regular, operational fuel purchase and use by the military. The announcement incorporates the acquisition of biofu...
USDA Announces Support for Mental Health Facilities in Rural Areas
WASHINGTON, Dec., 9, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set a goal of investing up to $50 million to increase access to mental health care in rural areas over the next three years. The funding will be used for the construction, expansion, or equipping of rural mental health...
USDA Chief Scientist Catherine Woteki to Visit Eleanor Roosevelt High School
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2013 – As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's commitment to encourage the next generation of scientists, USDA Chief Scientist and Undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics Catherine Woteki will speak at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md., on December 9....
USDA Overhauls Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2013 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a series of sweeping changes to a popular loan program for rural homebuyers. The changes are part of an extensive overhaul that will strengthen rural housing markets, increase the availability of rural home loans and spur the construction of new h...
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....
Statement from USDA Communications Director Matt Paul on Farm Bill Negotiations
WASHINGTON, December 5, 2013 - USDA Communications Director Matt Paul made the following statement today:...
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Energy Efficiency Loan Program to Lower Costs...
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will take new steps to save consumers money on their energy bills in partnership with rural electric cooperatives. USDA plans to provide rural electric cooperatives up to $250 million to lend to business and residential customers for energy efficiency i...
