USDA Press Releases

PORTLAND, June 29, 2015 — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that starting July 1, 2015, dairy farmers can enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Margin Protection Program for coverage in 2016. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides...

Audio SUNOL, Calif., June 25, 2015 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday joined Interior Deputy Secretary Mike Connor and California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird to announce a new partnership focused on conserving and restoring the Sierra-Cascade California Headwaters, as part...

PHILADELPHIA, June 25, 2015 – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants are spending more of their benefits to make purchases at roadside farm stands, farmers markets and directly from local farmers than ever before. SNAP redemptions at those outlets in FY14 totaled $18.8 million...

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2015—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made the following statement: "Congress took a bipartisan stand to support American businesses, communities and families, rural and urban alike. Passing Trade Promotion Authority legislation helps to secure the future of American...

Audio SUNOL, Calif., June 24, 2015 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today joined Interior Deputy Secretary Mike Connor and California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird to announce a new partnership focused on conserving and restoring the Sierra-Cascade California Headwaters, as part of...

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report on discoveries by USDA researchers that have led to new patents and inventions with the potential for commercial application and potential economic growth. USDA innovations included in this annual report range...

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2015 - The Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) today recognized three new collaborative landscape...

Audio WASHINGTON, June 23, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of DamWatch, a new web-based application that provides real-time monitoring of rainfall, snowmelt, stream flow and seismic events that could pose potential threats to dam safety. "With tools like...

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of members to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) for the 2015-2017 term. Established in 1988 by USDA (Food Safety and Inspection Service), the U.S. Department of...

On the 40th anniversary of USDA's summer meal programs, the Obama Administration has set a goal of serving 200 million meals to children and teens this summer - an increase of 13 million meals from last year. With school letting out for the summer, the Administration is making unprecedented...