USDA Seeks Public Comment on 2016-2020 Environmental Justice Strategic Plan
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture invites public comment on the draft update of the Department's Environmental Justice Strategic Plan. The four-year plan establishes goals to increase outreach and participation by historically underserved communities for the years 2016-2020 and outlines the ways each USDA agency p...
USDA Celebrates National Health IT Week
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today kicked off National Health IT week by highlighting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) to expand funding for advanced health care technology in rural A...
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Personnel Announcements
Washington, D.C., June 12, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of Matt Herrick as Director of Communications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The position was recently vacated by Matt Paul. Secretary Vilsack also announced the appointment of Alyn Kiel as Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications...
More Communities Warm Up to Winter Markets
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced that the number of winter markets listed in USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory has increased 52 percent, from 1,225 in 2011 to 1,864 in 2012. Winter markets now account for roughly 24 percent of the 7,865 farmers markets listed in the USDA national dir...
USDA Directory Records More Than 7,800 Farmers Markets
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a 9.6 percent increase in National Farmers Market Directory listings as the kickoff to National Farmer's Market Week....
USDA Awards $8.5 Million to Improve Communities' Water Sources
WASHINGTON, March 22, 2016 – In celebration of World Water Day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today awarded more than $8.5 million in grants that 10 universities will use to help communities improve water resource quality and quantity....
USDA 2013 Food Assistance Programs to Benefit More Than 10.5 Million...
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that the fiscal year 2013 Food for Progress and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition allocations (see charts below) will benefit more than 10.5 million people worldwide....
USDA Releases Report on the Growing Importance of Food Hubs in...
NEW ORLEANS, La., February 26, 2013 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced the release of a report which provides a comprehensive look at the economic role, challenges and opportunities for food hubs in the nation’s growing local food movement. The announcement was made during a visit to Hollygrove Market and Farm, a pro...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Announces Increased Opportunity for Producers as part...
WASHINGTON, March 24, 2014 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced increased opportunity for producers as a result of the 2014 Farm Bill. A fact sheet outlining modifications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs is available here....
USDA Selects 36 Energy Facilities to Accept Biomass Deliveries
WASHINGTON, July 23, 2014 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected 36 energy facilities in 14 states to accept biomass deliveries supported by the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Biomass owners who supply these facilities may q...
