USDA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2021 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative— USDA Pandemic Assistance for...

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2021 — Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding the D.C. Circuit Court's decision to allow USDA to withdraw its appeal on the previously vacated final rule, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (84...

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today announced that USDA is investing $266 million to build and improve critical community facilities (PDF, 162 KB) to benefit nearly 3 million rural residents in...

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today an $11.5 million research investment to help ensure America’s small and medium-sized farms become more profitable and improve the quality of life in American farm communities. “Few groups are as resilient and as...

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today a 15 percent increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through September 2021, providing an estimated $3.5 billion to households experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The...

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the USDA Forest Service will invest more than $218 million to fund Great American Outdoors Act projects to conserve critical forest and wetland habitat, support rural economic recovery, and increase public access to...

WASHINGTON, Mar. 17, 2021 — In January 2021, President Biden released the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. The plan is driven by science, data, and public health to improve the effectiveness of our nation’s fight against COVID-19 and to restore trust...

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a $598 million rural electric loan package to build or improve electric infrastructure in 11 states (PDF, 119 KB). “The Biden-Harris administration is committed to bringing critical financial assistance to rural...

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the names of individuals who will hold senior positions in Washington, D.C. Sandra Eskin was named Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety. Sandra comes to USDA from The Pew Charitable Trusts where she served as the...

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2021 – “I am grateful to President Biden for nominating Janie Simms Hipp, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, to serve as General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I have the utmost confidence and respect for Janie. I know that she will faithfully carry out her...