…of the U.S. Forest Service, leading more than 30,000 employees working in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised Chief Tidwell, saying, “From the start,…
California Pursues New Health Protections on Chlorpyrifos
State considers identification of the pesticide as a toxic air contaminant and developmental toxicant The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) announced that both the California Department of Pesticide Regulations and…
Cotton Board Holds Annual Meeting
…voted to recommend Cotton Incorporated’s proposed 2018 budget of $74 million to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Cotton Board also elected Louisiana cotton producer George LaCour, Jr. as Chairman…
Vilsack Helping Create Support for Democrats in Middle America
Vilsack Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is dedicating some of his time in trying to help the Democratic party gain support in middle America. ABC News reports Vilsack is part…
USDA Calls for Nominations for the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations to fill vacancies expiring in 2017 on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). FVIAC, administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service,…
Perdue Turning to Industry for Dicamba Fix
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue indicated to reporters this week that he would like to see the industry work out a fix on dicamba issues. Perdue said: “I would much prefer…
Zinke Proposes New Sage Grouse Management Plan
Sage Grouse Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has announced a new plan to manage sage grouse in 11 Western states. Zinke said the new protocol would go into effect immediately, and…
Ag Secretary Perdue Speaks from “Back to Our Roots” Tour
…they could face civil and criminal penalties for normal agricultural practices. The upcoming North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations are on the Secretary’s radar as well. He tells reporters he’ll…
Funding to Encourage SNAP Participants to Purchase Healthy Foods
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced 32 grants totaling $16.8 million to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables. The program is…
Organic Family Farmers Need Strong Standards and Enforcement
…ranchers at a major disadvantage. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson highlighted the importance of the USDA enforcing those standards in a letter sent to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue. Johnson…
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Proclaims National Farmers Market Week
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue signing a proclamation. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has proclaimed Aug. 6-12 to be National Farmers Market Week. This is the eighteenth year USDA has…
Mexico Names Chief NAFTA Negotiator
…Washington, D.C. and will report to Mexico’s Economy Secretary and Foreign Trade Undersecretary. Officials from Mexico say that Ramos’s past work in Mexico’s agriculture department and economy ministry shows he…
Perdue: No Signs Mexico Will Buy South America’s Corn, Soybeans
While in Mexico Friday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said he has no indication that Mexico will buy corn and soybeans from Argentina and Brazil or other countries. Perdue met…
Secretary Perdue Regarding Japan’s Planned Increase of Tariff on U.S. Frozen Beef
…force. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement: “I am concerned that an increase in Japan’s tariff on frozen beef imports will impede U.S. beef sales and…