Recent Posts
-
- SUBSCRIBE:
Author Archives: USDA
USDA Seeks Peer Reviewers for Farmers Market Promotion Program Proposals
/ May 16, 2012 5:02 pm
News Release – WASHINGTON, May 16, 2012 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture invites individuals to share their expertise in reviewing project proposals for the 2012 Farmers Market Promotion Program grants. The Farmers Market Promotion Program is a competitive grant process designed to expand farmer-to-consumer market opportunities in the United States. The grants, which are administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Continue reading
USDA Celebrates 150th Year of Service, Highlights Ways the Department Works for American People
/ May 15, 2012 9:58 pm
News Release – WASHINGTON, May 15, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today marked the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and highlighted the positive impact that USDA has on the life of Americans each day. “For 150 years, USDA has supported our nation’s economic prosperity and touched the lives of generations of Americans,” said Vilsack. “I’m proud Continue reading
Posted in Press Release, USDA News
USDA Grants to Increase Farmers Market Participation in SNAP
/ May 9, 2012 5:50 pm
News Release – WASHINGTON, May 9, 2012 — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced awards to help States expand availability of wireless technology in farmers’ markets not currently participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The $4 million in funding provides SNAP participants greater access to fresh and healthy food, while supporting American farmers and local economies.
Nation’s Largest 100 Agriculture Cooperatives Post Near-Record Revenue of $118 Billion
/ May 1, 2012 5:08 pm
News Release – WASHINGTON, DC, May 01, 2012 — The nation’s 100 largest agriculture cooperatives reported near-record revenue of $118 billion in 2010, USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager announced today. This was an increase of 4 percent over 2009 figures. Net income for the 100 top agriculture co-ops was also up more than 10 percent in 2010, reaching Continue reading
USDA Unveils New Food Hub Resource Guide to Expand Market Opportunities for Farmers and Ranchers
/ April 20, 2012 8:32 pm
News Release – CHICAGO, April 20, 2012 – The U. S. Department of Agriculture unveiled the first Regional Food Hub Resource Guide, bolstering its commitment to expand market opportunities for small and mid-sized producers. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan introduced the new resource guide today at the National Good Food Network Food Hub Collaboration conference.
New USDA Farm to School Program to Improve Student Nutrition and Benefit Local Agricultural Producers
/ April 17, 2012 6:45 pm
News Release – HARWOOD, Md., April 17, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced today that USDA will be investing in farm to school programs nationwide to help eligible schools improve the health and wellbeing of their students and connect with local agricultural producers. Merrigan joined students at Southern High School to announce the new program that will promote Continue reading
USDA Mobile App Enables Individuals Across the Country to Help Stop the Spread of Citrus Diseases
/ April 12, 2012 3:31 pm
News Release – (April 10, Washington D.C.) - Just in time for Earth Day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS ) released [yesterday] a free Save Our Citrus app that makes it easy to identify and report the four leading citrus diseases: citrus greening, citrus canker, citrus black spot and sweet orange scab. Answers Continue reading
USDA to Distribute $10 Million in Grants for 2012 Farmers Market Promotion Program
/ April 5, 2012 4:15 pm
News Release – WASHINGTON, April 5, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking grant applicants for the 2012 Farmers Market Promotion Program. Approximately $10 million is available for marketing operations such as farmers markets, community supported agriculture and road-side stands.
New Study Explores Innovation and Opportunities for Diverse Local Food Distributors
/ March 16, 2012 7:58 pm
News Release – WASHINGTON, March 16, 2012 – Today, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan released a new report on the distribution practices of eight producer networks and their partners distributing locally or regionally-grown food to retail and foodservice customers. The report, entitled Moving Food Along the Value Chain: Innovations in Regional Food Distribution, shows how these networks tap into the Continue reading
USDA Announces New Online Portal to Provide Assistance for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
/ February 16, 2012 6:22 pm
News Release – WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2012 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and USDA’s National Agricultural Library, in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, announced Start2farm.gov, a new online portal that helps provide assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers. The portal includes links to training, financing, technical assistance and other support services specifically for beginning farmers and ranchers Continue reading
U.S. and European Union, World’s Largest Organic Producers, Agree to Landmark Partnership on Organic Trade
/ February 15, 2012 8:11 pm
USDA Release – NUREMBERG, Germany, Feb. 15, 2012-The European Union and the United States announced today that beginning June 1, 2012, organic products certified in Europe or in the United States may be sold as organic in either region. This partnership between the two largest organic-producers in the world will establish a strong foundation from which to promote organic agriculture, Continue reading
Agriculture Dep. Sec. Merrigan Announces Funding To Create Jobs and Strengthen Economic Foundation of Rural America
/ February 4, 2012 12:44 am
News Release – CHICAGO, February 3, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced that USDA has selected 298 recipients in 44 states and Puerto Rico to receive business development assistance through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Merrigan made the announcement in Chicago after keynoting the “Local/Regional Food System Conference” hosted at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
Posted in USDA News
