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December 2023

Two-Year Anniversary of Customer Experience Executive Order: USDA Celebrates Customer Experience Efforts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has implemented several customer experience (CX) improvements since President Joe Biden signed the Executive Order Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government in December 2021. The executive order directed all federal agencies to improve the overall experience for customers accessing government services and benefits.

USDA 1890 National Scholar Balances Responsibilities

Zakiah Goodlow, an Alabama native and sophomore at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (A & M), credits the USDA 1890 National Scholar Program and USDA liaisons with helping her balance her many responsibilities. “[They] encourage me to enjoy the program,” she said. “They check in with me and make sure I’m doing okay.”

Informing Conservation Decisions and Policies through 20 Years of USDA's Conservation Effects Assessment Project

Each day U.S. farmers and ranchers make thousands of management decisions, ranging from when and what to plant to weighing options for conserving their operation’s natural resources. They depend on an array of experts, research and data to inform these decisions. One of their sources is the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA’s primary private lands conservation agency.

USDA 1890 National Scholars Program and USDA Liaisons Prepare Students for Their Future Careers

Arionne Patterson has come a long way since learning about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 1890 National Scholars Program during a presentation hosted at her high school in Fresno, California. As a result of pursing her agricultural dreams and the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, Patterson obtained her Agriculture Business degree at Prairie View A&M University and her master’s degree at Purdue University.

Registration Now Open for Fourth Meeting of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

As part of its ongoing work, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will hold its next public meeting on January 19, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. Convened jointly by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, the committee will hear updates from each subcommittee and discuss progress made since the third public meeting. Topics will include protocol development, evidence review and synthesis, draft conclusion statements, and plans for future committee work, including development of the committee’s scientific report.

Discovering Alternative Careers in Agriculture through the E. Kika de la Garza Fellowship

A longtime biology instructor at Yakima Valley College (YVC) in Washington state, Claire Carpenter works with YVC students throughout their undergraduate research. She has led small summer research projects and was interested in bringing more agriculture into both those projects and her classes.

Can I Grow Here? Helping Urban and Innovative Growers Navigate Local Policies

When farming in urban environments, whether in-ground or using innovative production, one of the biggest challenges can be navigating local statutes, zoning, permitting and land use regulations. For growers, understanding legal access to land and water, as well as local policies is critical.

10 Holiday Recipes That Won’t Break the Bank

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration and delicious food! Celebrating the holidays on a budget does not mean sacrificing flavor or tradition. With a little ingenuity, you can create delicious, festive meals that celebrate the spirit of the season without compromising on flavor or nutrition. Let's explore some satisfying MyPlate holiday recipes that respect your wallet and contribute to a memorable feast!

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Hosts Japan-U.S. Exchange

If you are involved in the agriculture sector, you probably know about USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). NASS is recognized as a world leader in the field of agricultural statistics, and their reliable and timely data show the most accurate picture of agriculture in America and the people powering it.

Enjoy Stress-Free Holidays with Nutrition.gov’s New Healthy Resources

December is a festive time of year with twinkling lights, fresh baked goods and meaningful get-togethers with our loved ones. However, planning menus that meet guests’ dietary restrictions, sticking within your holiday budget, and ensuring safe food practices, can be overwhelming. That’s why Nutrition.gov launched a Healthy Holidays webpage with resources so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday season. On this new webpage, you can find information on: