Secretary of Agriculture

Willie F. Cooper recently retired after more than 56 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Three hundred of his Louisiana friends – more if the rain doesn’t freeze -- are prepared to honor Willie Feb. 11, in Alexandria, La. At retirement, people often reflect on their careers. Willie has a...

After 6 p.m. February 24, USDA’s 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum speaker presentations will be available online. The Forum, which occurs annually, was a celebration of USDA’s 150 th anniversary, featuring eight former Secretaries of Agriculture discussing the future of agriculture with Secretary...

Following a morning plenary session featuring eight former Secretaries of Agriculture and Secretary Vilsack’s keynote speech, the USDA’s annual Outlook Forum will begin the programs breakout sessions featuring more than 80 speakers. The sessions will focus on a broad range of topical issues related...

It was nice to once again experience the sounds, smells, and activity at the New Mexico State Fair – where “every day is a holiday.” Accompanied by some of my USDA staff, rode on the 4-H float in the NM State Fair Parade. Along the three mile parade route down Central Ave, we greeted spectators and...

Unless policies are changed, the volatility and price fluctuations seen by the dairy industry within the past two years will become more severe, according to a panel of dairy policy experts who presented their research findings yesterday during the USDA Dairy Industry Advisory Committee meeting.