USDA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2020 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a request from Washington State to allow meal service during school closures to minimize potential exposure to the coronavirus. These meals are available at no cost to low-income children, and are not required to be...

(Washington, D.C., Friday, March 6, 2020) – Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a proposed rule that will strengthen the way states serve Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients through Employment and Training. The proposal was announced at Jane Addams...

(Washington, D.C., March 5, 2020) – In light of President Trump’s historic economic expansion - with a 3.6% unemployment rate and 6.4 million job openings across the nation - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a proposed rule that will strengthen the way states serve SNAP...

NEW ORLEANS, March 4, 2020 – Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $900 million to build, preserve or improve rural electric infrastructure across 16 states (PDF, 151 KB). Censky made the announcement at the...

(Washington, D.C., February 28, 2020) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Bette Brand will serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Deputy Under Secretary following the retirement of Donald “DJ” LaVoy. “DJ LaVoy is a true public servant...

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 28, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced additional disaster assistance available to agricultural producers, including producers impacted by drought and excess moisture as well as sugar beet growers. Through WHIP+, the U.S. Department of...

(Washington, D.C., February 28, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued a memo today directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to acquire alternative fueled vehicles (AFV) when replacing conventionally fueled vehicles. USDA owns and operates one of the largest civilian...

BUCKINGHAM, Va., Feb. 28, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Virginia Beth Green announced USDA has invested $28 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure for more than 17,000 rural households in Virginia. This is one of many funding...

ELMENDORF, Texas, Feb. 28, 2020 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a $19 million investment in three, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for almost 7,000 rural households, 46 farms, 32 pre-subscribed businesses, 19...

MONTELLO, Nev., Feb. 25, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Nevada State Director Philip Cowee announced USDA has invested $2.3 million in a high-speed broadband infrastructure project that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 273 households, seven farms...