USDA Blog

Cross-posted from the White House Blog written by Katelyn Sabochik Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host a Clean Energy Economy Forum. The forum will bring together stakeholders from rural communities across the country to discuss bio-energy and energy opportunities for rural economic...

Written by Vicki Schurman, USDA Public Information Officer

Several months ago, Vice President Biden said: “I’m pleased to report that the administration is laying the foundation for a clean energy economy that will create a new generation of jobs, reduce dependence on oil and enhance national security.” If you want proof, check out USDA’s Rural Energy for...

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from the USDA's rich science and research portfolio. -- Marcia Wood, Agricultural Research Service Information Staff Along streams and irrigation canals in 16 states, a wily...

By Amanda Eamich, Director of New Media Crowds drew near as Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan joined FRESHFARM Markets co-directors Ann Yonkers, Bernadine Prince and Chef Jose Andres for the grand re-opening of the 2010 season. At 3 PM, Merrigan and others raised their cowbells high and signaled...

Mary Ann McQuinn, Georgia NRCS NRCS Regional Assistant Chief Leonard Jordan, NRCS Georgia State Conservationist James E. Tillman, Sr., and others including Alice Rolls, the Executive Director of Georgia Organics toured Whippoorwill Hollow Farm with certified organic farmer Andy Byrd. The group...

By Jonathan Adelstein, Administrator-USDA Rural Utilities Service If you lived in a rural area 75 years ago, you probably didn’t have electricity. Water for livestock, cooking, cleaning and bathing had to be hand pumped from a well. Farmers risked milk spoilage in the summer, and people often got...

Submitted by Dave Conine, USDA Rural Development State Director and Donna Birk, PIC Weather was cold in late April in Utah when Santaquin City celebrated Earth Day with USDA Rural Development. Santaquin City officials were shivering with excitement to receive a $7 million plus loan and grant...

By Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, USDA Exploring creative avenues to nourish a nation is a great to start any week. And that’s exactly what USDA Deputy Secretary Merrigan and I had the opportunity to do this Monday (May 10, 2010) during the first...

Audrey Rowe, Deputy Administrator for Special Nutrition Programs School Tours, Las Vegas, Nevada April 26 and 28, 2010 I had the wonderful opportunity to visit two schools in Las Vegas, Nevada to discuss the upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs. As Deputy Administrator for the...