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USDA Builds on International Collaboration at Open Data Conference

March 14, 2013 Catherine Woteki, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics

I am excited to report that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead the U.S. delegation for an important conference at the end of April at the G-8 International Conference on Open Data for Agriculture in Washington. I will join the Secretary at the conference to launch the G8 countries’...

Research and Science Technology

Audit-Based Beef Grading Can Mean Better Efficiency, Lower Costs

March 13, 2013 Craig Morris, Deputy Administrator, AMS Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program

Consumers and industry look for the USDA grade shields as trusted symbols of wholesome, high-quality American beef. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the agency responsible for grading, continues to explore ways to more efficiently conduct business. Most recently, we used beef...

Health and Safety

Threatened Sea Bird with a Catchy Name

March 13, 2013 Sherri Eng, Southwest Pacific Research Station, U.S. Forest Service

Marbled murrelets are not the background singers in a ‘60s band. Rather, they are a native sea bird species whose population south of Canada is declining. Like the Pacific Northwest’s iconic northern spotted owl, this small seabird’s nesting habitat may be threatened by the loss of coastal old...

Conservation Forestry

In Kentucky, a Model for Relevance

March 13, 2013 Lillian Salerno, Acting Administrator, USDA Business Programs

Kentucky is well-known for its “bluegrass” lands, horses, bountiful agriculture and mountainous hills in the Appalachian region of America. A region historically challenged economically. But today, it is a region on the cusp of new economic opportunity. I recently saw first-hand how the region’s...

USDA Results

When a Tree is More than Just Pretty

March 12, 2013 Sherri Eng, Pacific Southwest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service

Many people like to add trees to their landscaping to enhance the design of a well-planned yard. But, it can mean so much more. Planting trees on your property can lower energy costs and increase carbon storage, reducing your carbon footprint while making your home the show-stopper of the...

Forestry

Sustainability Is More Attainable with High Tunnel Initiative

March 12, 2013 Amelia Hines, NRCS Georgia

High tunnels are hitting the mark for farmers who sell their produce at the Athens Farmers Market. In the past, the market operated once a week on Saturday mornings between April and October. But now, because some northeast Georgia growers are using the tunnels to extend their growing seasons, the...

Conservation

Crisis in the Citrus Groves

March 12, 2013 Sandy Miller Hays, 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 profile. Kermit the Frog often reminded us that “It’s not easy being green”—but in Florida’s citrus groves, being green isn’t just...

Research and Science

Norfolk, Nebraska Area Habitat for Humanity and USDA Partner to Provide Affordable Housing

March 12, 2013 Vicki Schurman, USDA Nebraska Public Information Officer

The Norfolk, Nebraska Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH) wanted to expand the impact of its home construction program, and get a more immediate return on investment so it could help the greatest number of people in need. USDA Rural Development was the agency NAHFH felt was best met that need.

Rural

Smokey Bear on Ice --- a Winning Combination

March 11, 2013 Cassandra Kollenberg, Payette National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

A team of volunteers from the Payette National Forest have sculpted “Smokey’s Magic” a 12-foot high, 3 foot deep sculpture of Smokey Bear in a wizard’s cloak with snowball in hand for the popular Winter Carnival in nearby McCall, Idaho. The Forest Service team, whose members all volunteer their off...

Forestry

Updated Web Tool Maps U.S. Food Access in Greater Detail

March 11, 2013 Paula Dutko, Food Assistance Branch, Economic Research Service

Access to stores that carry healthy, affordable food can play an important role in people’s nutrition and overall health. Ensuring access to healthy food is a priority for USDA and a key component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative.

Food and Nutrition Farming Research and Science