USDA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today awarded $5.8 million in grants and loans to support rural economic development projects and create jobs in 11 states through its Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) and Intermediary Relending Program (IRP)....

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today presented Wells Fargo with a Champion of Rural Housing award as part of USDA's observance of National Homeownership Month. "USDA is fortunate to work with many outstanding...

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today awarded $16.8 million in competitive grants to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables. The funding comes from the Food Insecurity Nutrition...

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2016 – Leaders from five state departments of agriculture and eight U.S. agribusinesses and organizations will accompany Agriculture Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse on a trade mission to Ukraine and Romania June 11 to June 18 to expand export opportunities for U.S. food and...

PETERSBURG, VA, June 7, 2016 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Education Secretary John B. King, Jr. joined students and other stakeholders at Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Petersburg, Virginia to celebrate the start of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) summer meals...

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2016 — As National Get Outdoors Month begins, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Forest Service and partners have invested over $11 million to support work and training opportunities for more than 1,500 youth and veterans on national forests and...

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2016 - The Obama Administration today named the final nine Promise Zones across the country - high poverty areas in select urban, rural and tribal communities. Through the Promise Zone Initiative, the Federal government will work strategically with local leaders to boost economic...

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) will provide an estimated $300 million in cost-share assistance payments to cotton producers through the new Cotton Ginning Cost-Share program, in...

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Sam Rikkers today announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to provide assistance to socially-disadvantaged business groups in rural areas. "Rural America is an...

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., June 3, 2016 – USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Sam Rikkers today unveiled new rules to expand access to capital for rural businesses. "Access to capital is one of the most important needs for businesses," Rikkers said. "USDA is partnering with the Treasury...