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Keeping #AgStrong

July 24, 2014 Ed Avalos, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

The strength of America’s farmers and ranchers is undeniable. I knew that strength firsthand growing up in a rural community that depended on agriculture. And I see it in so many ways as I meet folks from across the country in my role at USDA—in their work ethic, in their dedication to their crops...

Conservation

Land Conservation Strengthens Rural Communities: Examples of the Land and Water Conservation Fund at Work

July 24, 2014 Leslie Jones, Senior Advisor, Natural Resources and Environment

The Forest Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund investment in national forests and grasslands has ripple effects that extend far beyond the Forest Service and the land that is protected. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, created by Congress in 1964, provides resources to federal, state and...

Conservation Forestry

Dirt, Fire and Road: My First Season as a Wildland Firefighter

July 23, 2014 Michaela Hall, Fire and Aviation Management, U.S. Forest Service

For the second time, I spilled burn mix on my clothing as I reached to replace a drip torch, a wildland firefighting tool used to ignite fires for controlled burns. After three days of working with the Davidson River Initial Attack Crew, I was getting used to how things worked – except for the drip...

Forestry

In Colorado, Partnerships Bloom in Support of Regional Food Systems

July 23, 2014 Chris Beck, Senior Projects Advisor for Philanthropic Engagement, Rural Development

This summer, USDA is highlighting partnerships to invest in the future of rural America. Our partners work with us year after year to leverage resources and grow economic opportunities. They are the key to ensuring our rural communities thrive. Follow more of our stories on Twitter at @USDA or using...

Food and Nutrition Farming Rural

Food Banks Compete in Membership Drive for the U.S. Food Waste Challenge

July 22, 2014 Elise Golan, USDA Director of Sustainable Development

Today, the USDA is joining with Feeding America to launch a friendly competition among the nation’s food banks to sign up the most participants in the U.S. Food Waste Challenge. The food bank that registers the most donors as participants in the U.S. Food Waste Challenge will be honored in an event...

Food and Nutrition

Studies Find Widespread Student Acceptance of New Healthier School Lunches

July 22, 2014 Dr. Janey Thornton, Deputy Under Secretary, USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

With nearly 31 million students now participating in the National School Lunch Program each day, sound nutrition at school plays an essential role in supporting a healthier next generation. But when the new standards were developed by pediatricians and other child nutrition experts, USDA was also...

Food and Nutrition

Retired Couple's Commitment to Restoring Longleaf Pine Highlights Partnership's Success

July 22, 2014 Amelia Hines, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Georgia

Tim and Harriette Allen have focused their golden years on a shared passion that has set them on a path to conservation. The Georgia couple’s love of nature and a desire to help the environment spurred them to become part of a national effort to conserve and restore longleaf pine forests throughout...

Conservation

Moths Aflutter in Honor of National Moth Week

July 22, 2014 Leah Anderson, Eastern Region, U.S. Forest Service

Imagine wandering through your favorite botanic garden in the early evening and catching a glimpse of the moon reflected off of something lime green that moves from flower to flower while closer to the ground the yellow glow of fireflies help illuminate the night. It’s enough to make you feel like...

Forestry

USDA Office of Communications Marks 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act by Asking "Where Were You?"

July 22, 2014 Kathryn Hill, USDA Office of Communications

Where were you? Fifty years ago when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, where were you and what were you doing? That was the question asked last week as a capacity audience filled a conference room at the USDA Whitten Building to commemorate the passage of this landmark...

Initiatives

Calling All Open Data Partners

July 22, 2014 Jaime Adams, Office of the Chief Scientist

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. What data have you opened to the world lately? In a time of increased global challenges in food and agriculture, a...

Research and Science