USDA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is seeking new proposals for cutting-edge projects that will provide new conservation opportunities through its competitive Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Through USDA's Natural Resources...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will grant $20.2 million to help 34 small businesses move forward with innovative research and development projects to benefit food security, natural resources conservation and other agricultural issues. These...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $331 million in 85 projects that will improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural areas in 39 states and American Samoa. Community infrastructure...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2016–The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) today announced the winners of the first Innovations in Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (I-FAST) $200,000 prize competition. I...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue nearly $1.7 billion in payments to more than half of a million Americans who have contracts with the government to protect sensitive agricultural lands. The investment, part of the voluntary USDA Conservation Reserve...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement: "Today's report on gross domestic product growth in the third quarter of 2016 brings welcome news for our overall economy, and brings further affirmation that America's agriculture sector remains a...

EAU CLAIRE Wis., Oct. 27, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is providing more than $45 million to help farmers, ranchers, small businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide develop new product lines. USDA is investing in 325 projects through the Value-Added Producer Grant...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $3.6 billion in loans to fund 82 electric projects in 31 states. These loans will finance infrastructure upgrades, create jobs and improve system operations for...

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 25, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $300 million to help hundreds of small businesses across the country save money on their energy costs by adopting renewable sources or implementing...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $17.6 million for research and outreach activities to support the organic agriculture sector. The grants are funded through NIFA's Organic...