Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2013 - Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Release of Rural America at a Glance, 2013 Edition by USDA's Economic Research Service:...
USDA Invests in Research to Convert Beetle-Killed Trees into Renewable Energy
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it has awarded nearly $10 million to a consortium of academic, industry and government organizations led by Colorado State University (CSU) and their partners to research using insect-killed trees in the Rockies as a sustainable feedstock for bioenergy. The award,...
APHIS Finalizes Bovine Import Regulations in Line with International Animal Health...
WASHINGTON, November 1, 2013 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced today a final rule that will complete efforts to modernize the Agency's import regulations for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), demonstrating to the international community that the United States...
2013 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour Begins
Newport, Wash., Oct.31, 2013 – The Colville National Forest and its nonprofit partner, Choose Outdoors, announce the kickoff of the 2013 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour with a cutting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. The “Peoples Tree” will be harvested and is scheduled to arrive in downtown Newport, Wash., that afternoon. The tree will visit 2...
Payments for Popular Conservation Program Ready Following Shutdown Delay
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2013 – Farmers waiting for their Conservation Security or Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) payments should receive them in the coming days. The shutdown of the federal government delayed some of the $907 million in payments from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to CSP participants who have enrolled mil...
US Forest Service Waives Fees During Veterans Day Weekend
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2013 –The U.S. Forest Service is waiving fees at most of its day-use recreation sites over the Veterans Day holiday weekend, Nov. 9-11. The fee waivers – the fourth this year – are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Day-use fees will be waived at all standard...
Secretary Vilsack Highlights First-Ever Report on USDA Efforts to Expand Agroforestry...
WASHINGTON, October 28, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the first-ever report on USDA's role advancing agroforestry. Agroforestry: USDA Reports to America details how agroforestry practices are helping farmers, ranchers and woodland owners enhance agricultural productivity, protect the environment and increase profits....
USDA Announces Funds to Provide Broadband in Unserved Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, October 24, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced 14 awards for projects to bring broadband to unserved rural communities. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator John Padalino made the announcement on the Secretary's behalf while addressing a regional meeting of the National R...
Agriculture Secretary Announces Electric System Improvements in 23 States
WASHINGTON, October 24, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for rural electric utility system improvements that will benefit residential and business customers in 23 states. The projects include more than $14.3 million to implement smart grid technology and nearly $11 million to improve electric service for Native A...
Agriculture Secretary Announces Record Sales, Income and Assets for Agriculture and...
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2013 - In recognition of October as National Cooperative Month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that U.S. farmer, rancher and fishery cooperatives set records for sales, income and assets in 2012, buoyed by strong prices for grain, farm supplies and many other agricultural commodities....
