USDA Press Releases

Vietnam, April 25, 2016 - Secretary Vilsack traveled to Vietnam today to meet with his counterparts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, among others, to discuss the details of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. Vietnam remains...

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement on the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement: "By signing the historic climate agreement reached with nearly 200 nations in Paris this past December, the U.S. is moving forward on our commitment to...

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $22 million in grants to help citrus producers fight Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening disease. This funding is available through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative...

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2016 – This week, representatives from USDA's Rural Development team will be celebrating Earth Day by visiting newly funded projects that will improve rural water quality and safety in 33 states across the country. USDA is investing $183 million in 60 water and wastewater...

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $4.7 million in grants for food safety education, training, and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers...

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is soliciting applications for grants to establish broadband in unserved rural communities through its Community Connect program. Community Connect is administered by USDA's Rural Utilities Service and helps to...

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that dairy farms participating in the Margin Protection Program (MPP) can now update their production history when an eligible family member joins the operation. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill...

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2016 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement on the passing of Pearlie S. Reed, former USDA Assistant Secretary for Administration: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pearlie Reed. Pearlie began his long and distinguished career...

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is making up to $44 million available to farmers, ranchers and businesses to develop new bio-based products and expand markets through the Value-Added Producer Grant program. "America's farmers, ranchers and...

*This statement has been updated. WASHINGTON, April 8, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement in response to a new report done jointly by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) regarding positive...