USDA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that $130 million in funding is available for research, education, and extension projects to support sustainable, productive and economically viable plant and animal production systems, including certified organic...

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell today announced over $8.5 million to expand and accelerate technologies and strategies that promote the use of wood in commercial construction, heat and power generation, and other wood product...

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of its first ever Honey Bee Colony Loss survey today. The survey queried more than 20,000 honey beekeepers about the number of colonies, colonies lost, colonies added...

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2016 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shared the first results of USDA's Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry, one year after he unveiled the plan at Michigan State University. In addition to providing specific goals and results of the many actions...

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement on H.R. 4641, H.R. 5046, and related bills considered today by the House of Representatives: "Opioid misuse is an epidemic, and it requires serious action backed by adequate funding. We lost 28,647...

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement today on the departure of Arthur "Butch" Blazer, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. Mr. Blazer's final day with USDA will be Friday, May 13, 2016. "For nearly 40 years, Butch Blazer...

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded 26 grants to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers across rural America conserve energy and develop renewable energy systems, ultimately reducing their carbon footprint, lowering overhead costs and helping to...

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the joint investment of $10 million towards research that will drive more efficient biofuels production and agricultural...

MANCHESTER, N.H., May 9, 2016 - In January 2016, President Obama tapped Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to lead an interagency federal effort focused on the heroin and prescription opioid crisis. As Secretary of Agriculture and Chair of the White House Rural Council, Secretary Vilsack understands...

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $39.3 million in loans and grants for 68 projects that will help small, rural businesses and communities in 26 states. The announcement comes as the Obama Administration celebrates the profound economic impact of American...