Skip to main content
Skip to main content

USDA Blog


Showing: 4011 - 4020 of 8118 Results

Secretary's Column: A New Report Shows the Critical Benefits of Farm Bill Conservation

December 06, 2013 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

America’s farmers, ranchers and landowners have led the way in recent years to conserve and protect our soil, water and wildlife habitat. With the help of Farm Bill programs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has worked with a record number of producers since 2009 – more than 500,000 of them – to...

Conservation

Restoration Efforts May Mean More 'Chestnuts Roasting....'

December 06, 2013 Ryan Johnson, North Carolina, U.S. Forest Service

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” is a line from a song that conjures up fond holiday memories for some Americans. For others, the joy of roasting chestnuts has yet to be experienced. But the lack of American chestnuts could change in the coming years, thanks to some very dedicated people. The U...

Forestry

Quality You Can Trust

December 06, 2013 Charles Parrott, AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program Deputy Administrator

When you think of what really makes fruit and vegetables stand out it usually comes down to quality. Determining quality – making sure your fresh food looks, smells, feels and tastes just the way you expect it to – is what USDA’s Quality Monitoring Program (QMP) does. The program, run by the...

Food and Nutrition

USDA Celebrates Soil's Importance on its Special Day

December 05, 2013 Terry Bish, Acting Director, Public Affairs, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Too often, it’s treated like dirt. But this week our living and life-giving soil is finally getting some of the respect it deserves today, for World Soils Day. While soil may not enjoy the media attention of Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s, it can be argued that it shares importance with all...

Conservation

Enviando Regalos de Alimentos a Miembros de Las Fuerzas Armadas

December 05, 2013 CiCi Williamson, Technical Information Specialist, USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, Food Safety Education Staff

Pasar los días navideños en el hogar no será posible para muchos miembros de las fuerzas armadas. Así que la segunda mejor opción es recibir saludos y regalos comestibles de parte de familiares. Varios alimentos son inocuos para mandar por el correo en tanto se tenga el nombre y dirección del...

Food and Nutrition Health and Safety

Tips on Sending Food Gifts to U.S. Military

December 05, 2013 CiCi Williamson, Technical Information Specialist, USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, Food Safety Education Staff

Being home for the holidays will not be possible this year for many American armed forces. The next best thing may be receiving greetings and gifts of food items. Many foods are safe to mail. However, you must have the name and address of a military person stationed overseas. Because of security...

Food and Nutrition Health and Safety

USDA Updates Multi-year Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan

December 05, 2013 Dean Johnson, USDA Facilities Energy & Water Program Manager

Many of the USDA programs touch almost every American, every day. And as concerns grow about climate change, greenhouse gases and depleting natural resources, USDA continues creating opportunities for farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, public land managers and families in rural communities. These...

Energy Conservation

Reflecting on Hunger this Holiday Season

December 04, 2013 Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

A new op-ed, regarding hunger and the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was pushed this afternoon on the Huffington Post. Last week, I wrote about the continued need for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), particularly in the wake of the automatic benefit...

Food and Nutrition

Oh Silent Light of the Capitol Christmas Tree

December 04, 2013 Robert Hudson Westover, Office of Communication, U.S. Forest Service

A crown jewel of American Christmas trees lit the night sky Dec. 3 as thousands of lights burst around the 88-foot-tall 2013 Capitol Christmas Tree. A momentary hush of silent awe overcame the crowd gathered on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol to witness the ceremony that has origins dating back to...

Forestry

Jointly Developed Watershed Assessment Model Being Used in Yosemite National Park

December 03, 2013 Tara T. Weaver-Missick, USDA-Agricultural Research Service Information Staff

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 USDA's rich science and research portfolio. An award-winning watershed assessment tool, the Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA), was deployed to assess...

Research and Science