USDA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2016 – Today, at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) urged Americans of all ages to "Plant a Window Box for Pollinators" by using a new, free online tool available at the redesigned People's Garden Initiative website. The...

ATLANTA, March 28, 2016 – At the Operation UNITE Summit in Atlanta today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a series of upcoming rural town halls as well as funding rural communities can use to conduct health and safety outreach around prescription painkiller and heroin abuse. Opioids...

CHICAGO, March 24, 2016 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today unveiled a new resource created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Colorado State University that will help communities and businesses evaluate the economic benefits of investing in local food systems. The Secretary...

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2016 – Rural Business Cooperative-Service Administrator Sam Rikkers today announced that USDA is seeking applications for loans and grants to help support the start-up or expansion of rural businesses. "Our small, rural businesses need financing to compete in the global economy...

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2016 – In celebration of World Water Day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today awarded more than $8.5 million in grants that 10 universities will use to help communities improve water resource quality and quantity. In addition, the Department was tapped to serve as...

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2016 – Leaders from across the U.S. agriculture and food sectors are expressing support and optimism in new opportunities for collaboration with their Cuban counterparts, announced during President Obama's historic visit to the island. The two neighboring countries share common...

HAVANA, March 21, 2016 - As part of President Obama's historic trip to Cuba to further normalization of relations, advance commercial and people-to-people ties, and express our support for human rights for all Cubans, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced several measures that will...

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the investment of more than $272 million will go to 41 states and Puerto Rico this year in support of local schools, roads and forests through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS). The SRS...

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2016 – Schools across the United States purchased $789 million in local foods from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers in school year 2013 – 2014, according to results from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm to School Census released...

WASHINGTON, Mar. 15, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement: "On this National Agriculture Day, we recognize the American farmers, ranchers, and growers who do so much for our country, producing the food our children need to grow up healthy and reach their...