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Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited with the students, faculty and administrators at the University of New Hampshire as part of USDA’s ‘ Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ college tour. Deputy Secretary Merrigan had the opportunity to learn about current research efforts from staff...

Things were “rolling” at Park Lanes in Newton, Illinois Thursday morning for Rural Development’s Road Show. This was our fifth Road Show where we shared how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) can help do what’s needed in rural communities. This time we met with “scores” of our east...

Just in time for the holidays we are implementing the new Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program that will provide critical help to America’s struggling dairy farmers.

Spinach Salad with Sliced Egg, Warm Bacon Dressing and Crumbled Clemson Blue Cheese Tilapia Filet with a Shrimp Mornay Sauce Sweet Potato au Gratin with Goat Cheese and Apples Rainbow Swiss Chard Apple Cobbler with Fresh Whipped Cream In addition to being delicious, there is one thing each of these...

I had the opportunity this week to participate in a roundtable discussion and tour of the St. Paul Schools’ Nutrition Services center. Joining me were local school foodservice professionals and members of the farming, distribution and non-profit community who are working to expand Farm-to-School...

When we rolled out the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative back in September, a special highlight for me was the announcement of the Farm-to-School Tactical Teams. Through the leadership of Congress and the 2008 Farm Bill, schools can now use federal dollars to support their local farmers...

There is nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread. Now image if bread, like wine, was valued for its “terroir” - the idea that the land where the ingredients come from impart a special flavor or essence to the final product. Well that may not be a far fetched idea if you try Borealis Breads up in...

While it was a bye week for the Georgia Bulldogs football there was plenty crunching of heads as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan held a roundtable discussion at the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. Deputy Secretary Merrigan traveled to Georgia...

The ‘ Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ College Tour continued this week with a visit to Iowa State University, where I had the opportunity to speak with students, faculty, and members of the community about USDA’s efforts to promote local and regional food systems.

The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative kickoff week culminated at the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. I asked these state leaders to join me in promoting local and regional food systems. I shared with them a video clip of my conversation with...