USDA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead a trade mission March 14 to March 18 to expand export opportunities for U.S. agriculture in Chile and Peru. "Thanks to existing free trade agreements, the United...

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 15, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the expansion of the Department's StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative into high-poverty counties in Florida, Missouri, Montana, and Ohio. Launched in 2010, more than 1,500 StrikeForce partnerships...

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 15, 2016 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the expansion of USDA's StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative to 11 counties in Ohio. StrikeForce is a collaborative effort to bring targeted assistance to areas experiencing chronic poverty...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture invites public comment on the draft update of the Department's Environmental Justice Strategic Plan. The four-year plan establishes goals to increase outreach and participation by historically underserved communities for the years 2016...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of more than $8.8 million in competitive funding to support Hispanic-Serving Institutions' (HSIs) agricultural science education programs. These grants will enhance the ability of these colleges...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the members of this year's Agricultural Outlook Forum Plenary Panel on "Providing Leadership for Present and Future Generations in the Transformation of Agriculture." This year's panelists have backgrounds in academia...

BURLINGTON, Vt., Jan. 8, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded $46 million in assistance to the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) to support energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in rural areas across the state. USDA awarded VEIC $46 million in assistance to...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2016 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement: On Jan. 7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), reached agreement with South African officials to allow most U.S...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2016 – Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia M. Burwell and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today released updated nutritional guidelines that encourage Americans to adopt a series of science-based recommendations to improve how they eat to reduce obesity and prevent...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement proclaiming today, Jan. 6, 2016, Bob Stallman Appreciation Day. Stallman is retiring as President of the American Farm Bureau Federation after 16 years of service. "Bob Stallman is well-deserving of...