2014 Farm Bill Program Generates Renewable Energy, Helps Reduce Forest Fire Threats Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 200,000 tons of biomass were removed from federal lands…
USDA Provides Greater Protection for Fruit, Vegetable and Other Specialty Crop Growers
Free Basic Coverage Plans and Premium Discounts Available for New, Underserved and Limited Income Farmers Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that greater protection is now available from the Noninsured…
USDA Seeks Public Comment on New Environmental Quality Incentives Program Rule
…details are in the Federal Register notice. “This interim final rule provides a roadmap to help streamline and simplify EQIP for farmers and ranchers,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “We…
USDA Extends Application Deadline for Dairy Margin Protection Program to Dec. 19
…Tom Vilsack today announced that the application deadline for the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) will be extended until Dec. 19, 2014. The program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill,…
USDA Announces Support for Producers of Advanced Biofuel
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making $5.6 million in grants to 220 producers across the nation to support the production of advanced biofuels, and is awarding…
Celebrating Our Nation’s Agricultural Abundance this Thanksgiving
Weekly column from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Vilsack Thanksgiving is a celebration of the harvest and the abundance of food we are able to share with our friends and family….
USDA Disaster Assistance to Help Thousands of Honeybee, Livestock and Farm-Raised Fish Producers
…some relief,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Once the Farm Bill was restored, not only did we implement the disaster assistance programs in record time, we’re issuing payments less than…
USDA Helps Open and Expand Export Markets for U.S. Agriculture
Fiscal Year 2015 Funding Strengthens Market for American Products and Commodities Vilsack Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service has awarded…
USDA and Partners Complete First-of-Its-Kind Sale of Carbon Credits from Working Ranch Grasslands
Vilsack Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today said a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant has helped initiate a partnership that is improving the environment, creating a market for carbon credits generated…
USDA Seeks Input on New Beef Promotion Order
…critical juncture to help achieve the industry’s goal,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “With this action we can boost research investments, increase beef exports, and encourage folks here at home…
USDA Announces $29 Million to Provide Housing for Farmworkers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is investing $29 million to provide affordable housing for farm laborers and their families. “Housing is often the first step on the…
USDA to Provide $4 Million for Honey Bee Habitat
News Release from USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that more than $4 million in technical and financial assistance will be provided to help farmers and…
USDA Extends Dairy Margin Protection Program Deadlines
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, speaking at the National Milk Producers Federation annual meeting, today announced extended deadlines for the dairy Margin Protection Program. Farmers now have until Dec. 5, 2014,…
USDA Releases New State-by-State “Made in Rural America” Report
New Data Demonstrates Obama Administration’s Record Breaking Investments in Rural America As part of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) commitment to strengthening rural economies, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a…