USDA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2015 – Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced the availability of up to $3.3 million in competitive funding to support the ability of farmers markets to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits provided through...

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2015 – U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell presented the Forest Service forecast on the upcoming 2015 fire season in testimony today before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Forest Service researchers expect 2015 to continue the trend of above average fire...

Audio DENVER, Colo., May 4, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today an investment of up to $235 million to improve the nation's water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. The funding is being made available...

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2015 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack opened the 20th season of the USDA Farmers Market with a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Anne Alonzo joined Secretary at the event and highlighted the expanded market, which now...

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 30, 2015 – The U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the winner of the 2014 "Share the Experience" photography contest and launched the 2015 contest, which gives amateur photographers the chance to showcase their skills by...

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2015 – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Istanbul, Turkey, next week to meet his counterparts at the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting that will focus on food security. "The G20 ministerial provides an important platform for agricultural leaders to discuss...

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the launch of two new private funds, known as Rural Business Investment Companies (RBICs), which make equity investments in rural businesses, helping them grow and create jobs. This announcement is part of USDA's ongoing...

Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS, April 29, 2015 - Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden and Honduras Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock Jacobo Paz today signed an agreement to support agricultural development and trade in Honduras. Through the Food for Progress Program, the U.S. Department of...

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2015 – The Obama Administration announced today eight additional Promise Zones across the country, including six cities, one rural area, and one tribal community. Promise Zones are high poverty communities where the federal government partners with local leaders to increase...

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced more than $3.8 million in funding to support grants focused on using nanotechnology to find solutions to societal challenges such as food security, nutrition...