By Sandra Avant, Agriculture Research Service A technique called “near-infrared spectroscopy” (NIRS) can rapidly estimate the amount of acrylamide in white-potato French fries, according to a study by U.S. Department …
Agriculture Education Helping Grow the Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced grants to support public secondary schools, non-profits, community and junior colleges, and four-year colleges and universities …
Research to Support Healthy Agroecosystems
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 18 grants totaling more than $6.7 million for research to discover how components of the agroecosystem, …
Changes to Improve the Prevented Planting Program
New Provisions to Take Effect for 2017 Spring Crops The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced updated factors for prevented planting coverage that will strengthen the …
U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions
15 Major U.S. Companies Pledge 50 Percent Reduction in Food Loss and Waste Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy announced the inaugural class of …
National Organic Standards Board Appointments
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed five new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), adding valuable perspectives to the 15-member advisory board. Appointees will begin their 5-year service on …
NIFA Focus on Two New Projects
NIFA Grants Focus on Youth Farm Safety and Agricultural Careers for People with Disabilities The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $832,830 in …
Rural America at a Glance
by Lorin Kusmin, USDA Economic Research Service USDA has released the Rural America at a Glance, 2016 Edition. This report highlights the most recent indicators of social and economic conditions …
National Agricultural Conservation Survey Begins
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is surveying 16,000 farmers and ranchers across the country through February 2017 about their conservation and production practices on …
USDA WASDE Report At a Glance
Corn: This month’s 2016/17 U.S. corn outlook is for larger production, increased food, seed and industrial (FSI) use and slightly higher prices. Corn production is forecast at 15.226 billion bushels, …
Food and Ag Science Will Shape Our Future
by Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary What if I told you a scientist had recently discovered a way to remove up to 98% of the allergens in peanuts without affecting the …
USDA Expands Working-Lands Conservation Opportunities through CRP
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Deputy Under Secretary Alexis Taylor announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands practice specifically tailored …
USDA Seeks Nominations for Advisory Committee on Ag Statistics
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is seeking nominations to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. Members of this Committee advise the Secretary of Agriculture …
FSA County Committee Elections to Begin
Producers to Receive Ballots Week of Nov. 7 Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers …