<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0" xml:base="https://www.usda.gov/"> <channel> <title>President Lincoln</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/</link> <description/> <language>en</language> <item> <title>Common Past, Common Future: USDA & Gallaudet Create Opportunities for Students</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2016/12/09/common-past-common-future-usda-gallaudet-create-opportunities-students</link> <description> <span>Common Past, Common Future: USDA &amp; Gallaudet Create Opportunities for Students</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-12-09T10:30:02-05:00" title="Friday, December 9, 2016 - 10:30">Fri, 12/09/2016 - 10:30</time> </span> Elanor Starmer, AMS Administrator <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/193/31159524520_57b0d7cec2.jpg" alt="Gallaudet University President Roberta J. Cordano, left, and USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Elanor Starmer" width="500" height="357" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>Gallaudet University President Roberta J. Cordano, left, and USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Elanor Starmer sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, on Friday, December 2, 2016. USDA Photo by Ken Melton</figcaption> </figure> <p>I often wonder if the leaders who came before us recognized the pivotal things they set in motion, the far-reaching impact their actions would have, and how they helped shape America into a land of opportunity. President Lincoln’s legacy and impact is well-known and obvious, but he did so much more than lead this country during its most trying time.&nbsp; And it’s these smaller acts—those that are not typically taught in the history books—that I wonder about the most.&nbsp; Did he know what he was setting in motion?</p> <p>In 1862, a year after the start of the Civil War, President Lincoln signed the law creating the U.S. Department of Agriculture—a place he called “The People’s Department.”&nbsp; Two years later, and just five months after giving the Gettysburg Address, he signed the charter establishing <a href="http://www2.gallaudet.edu/">Gallaudet University</a>—an institution that has helped thousands of deaf and hard of hearing students achieve their educational goals and fulfill their dreams.</p> <p>While more than 150 years have passed since these events, both institutions—USDA and Gallaudet—with their rich histories and impact on our nation, are now also committed to a shared future of opportunity and service.&nbsp; Through a memorandum of understanding signed with my agency last week, students at Gallaudet University will have access to information, advice, and assistance in applying for internships and employment opportunities at USDA’s <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov">Agricultural Marketing Service</a> (AMS).</p> <p>This is also an incredible opportunity for USDA to share our mission with a talented group of candidates, and will help us hire future leaders who are committed to building on the legacy of both institutions.&nbsp; With over one-third of my agency’s workforce eligible to retire in the next few years, it is absolutely crucial that we are able to hire dedicated public servants to take their place.</p> <p>The success of American agriculture is vital to the success of America.&nbsp; And it is vital that USDA—the People’s Department—cultivates a diverse and talented workforce that represents all of the people, communities, families, and farmers that it serves.</p> <p>It’s not every day that you get to witness the next step in history, but I believe this agreement will add at least another chapter to the already rich legacy of both USDA and Gallaudet.</p> <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/206/31415245691_2aba9f1155.jpg" alt="A student flashes the sign for “I love you” at Gallaudet University’s 2016 graduation ceremony" width="500" height="333" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>A student flashes the sign for “I love you” at Gallaudet University’s 2016 graduation ceremony. For more than 150 years, Gallaudet and USDA have been committed to serving those looking for support and opportunity. Now they will work together to open doors for future leaders. Photo courtesy Gallaudet University</figcaption> </figure> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A14">Initiatives</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/63" class="usa-tag"> AMS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/7397" class="usa-tag"> Elanor Starmer </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/7575" class="usa-tag"> Gallaudet University </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/6782" class="usa-tag"> hiring </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/4312" class="usa-tag"> Internships </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/1943" class="usa-tag"> jobs </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/504" class="usa-tag"> MOU </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/7576" class="usa-tag"> Roberta Cordano </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/7577" class="usa-tag"> student opportunities </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/7439" class="usa-tag"> United States Department of Agriculture </a> </span> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-teaser-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/two_column_header_image_1320x888/public/usda_blog_images/1_193_31159524520_57b0d7cec2.jpg?h=1f523664&amp;itok=l7iI6ZdP" width="1320" height="888" alt="Gallaudet University President Roberta J. Cordano, left, and USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Elanor Starmer" loading="lazy"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-social-share-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-above flex-column"> <div class="field__label">Social Share Image:</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/usda_blog_images/1_193_31159524520_57b0d7cec2.jpg?itok=NFoDIoU7" width="480" height="343" alt="Gallaudet University President Roberta J. Cordano, left, and USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Elanor Starmer" title="1_193_31159524520_57b0d7cec2.jpg" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </description> <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2016 15:30:02 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">20106 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> <item> <title>Continuing Lincoln's Charge: USDA Serving the People</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2016/09/16/continuing-lincolns-charge-usda-serving-people</link> <description> <span>Continuing Lincoln's Charge: USDA Serving the People</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-09-16T15:00:45-04:00" title="Friday, September 16, 2016 - 15:00">Fri, 09/16/2016 - 15:00</time> </span> Sam Rikkers, Administrator, Rural Business and Cooperative Service <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8126/29098960843_e9fb6bf31d.jpg" alt="Rural Business-Cooperative Service Informational Webinar Series graphic" width="500" height="292" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>USDA RBS will host a series of informational webinars to share success stories on how customers and partner organizations have used RBS programs and resources to support businesses in rural and Tribal communities.</figcaption> </figure> <p>When President Lincoln established the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) more than 150 years ago, he called it “the People’s Department” because USDA addresses the vital interests of the people. Now, more than ever, it is necessary for USDA to collaborate across federal agencies and into local community-building institutions to meet the unique challenges faced by the people of rural America.</p> <p><a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/">USDA Rural Development</a> (RD) plays a key role in supporting the diverse communities in rural America. The incredible resilience, hard work, and enduring cultural values of our rural population embody the beauty of America and are worth cherishing.</p> <p>According to USDA’s Economic Research Service, nearly 85 percent of the nation’s persistently poor counties are in rural America. In 2010, the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE">USDA StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity</a> was created to mobilize our staff in regions needing the most assistance. Through the StrikeForce initiative, USDA has strengthened partnerships across our many agencies to provide underserved communities greater access to not only the funding tools available within the USDA, but the resources of our partner agencies and organizations. Since its inception, more than 1,500 StrikeForce partnerships have helped USDA support nearly 190,000 projects with a total investment of $23.5 billion in high-poverty areas in rural America. Nearly 1,000 rural counties, parishes, boroughs, and census areas have been served nationwide through StrikeForce.</p> <p>In 2013, the White House established the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=promisezones">Promise Zone initiative</a>, which requires federal agencies to commit, collaborate, and provide well-coordinated assistance to designated communities. Through these efforts, community leaders and partner organizations are provided the resources and empowerment to organize, plan, and immediately access technical and financial assistance to meet their economic needs. Over $410 million in federal investments were successfully delivered in the Choctaw Nation, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Southeastern Kentucky, and the South Carolina Low Country in just two years.</p> <p>All this month, USDA is focusing on how <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/results-ch7-bac6adea0994#.ok2zbyg3j">“Rural America is Back in Business.”</a> As part of that effort, USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is hosting a series of informational webinars to share success stories from across the country. These stories will provide details on how local community organizations are using USDA programs along with multiple federal and private sector resources to support their businesses in rural and Tribal communities.</p> <p>Customers and stakeholders interested in learning more about RBS programs—and how customers have used our financing tools to support entrepreneurship are <a href="http://go.usa.gov/xZ8bJ">encouraged to participate in this opportunity</a> to engage with diverse partner organizations, ask questions, and explore the opportunities USDA has to offer.</p> <p>As was certain 150 years ago, rural Americans continue to be the backbone of our great country thanks to their resilience, grit, and family values. As we raise a new generation that is full of energy, potential, and opportunity, RD is committed more than ever to protect these values and to empower the people of rural America to achieve their dreams.</p> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A16">Rural</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/328" class="usa-tag"> ERS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/6165" class="usa-tag"> Promise Zone Initiative </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/61" class="usa-tag"> RD </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/556" class="usa-tag"> Rural America </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/7014" class="usa-tag"> Rural Business and Cooperative Service </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5145" class="usa-tag"> StrikeForce </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/521" class="usa-tag"> White House </a> </span> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-teaser-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/two_column_header_image_1320x888/public/usda_blog_images/9_8126_29098960843_e9fb6bf31d.jpg?h=0bf662e1&amp;itok=uaCRVFFx" width="1320" height="888" alt="Rural Business-Cooperative Service Informational Webinar Series graphic" loading="lazy"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-social-share-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-above flex-column"> <div class="field__label">Social Share Image:</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/usda_blog_images/9_8126_29098960843_e9fb6bf31d.jpg?itok=g6vQgTPA" width="480" height="280" alt="Rural Business-Cooperative Service Informational Webinar Series graphic" title="9_8126_29098960843_e9fb6bf31d.jpg" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </description> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2016 19:00:45 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">19937 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> <item> <title>USDA Engages Public through Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2016/04/15/usda-engages-public-through-crowdsourcing-and-citizen-science</link> <description> <span>USDA Engages Public through Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-04-15T14:00:55-04:00" title="Friday, April 15, 2016 - 14:00">Fri, 04/15/2016 - 14:00</time> </span> Samuel Crowell, AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, USDA Office of the Chief Scientist <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1677/25842722963_32f07bde35.jpg" alt="CitizenScience.gov homepage screenshot" width="497" height="500" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>Check out CitizenScience.gov to learn about crowdsourcing and citizen science projects in your area, and get involved.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Recently, <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/09/30/usda-is-making-citizen-science-and-crowdsourcing-possible-through-stem-and-collaboration/">USDA participated</a> in the White House launch of the Federal Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science (CCS) Toolkit. By providing federal employees with information about developing CCS activities, the Toolkit will eventually allow the Federal government to design more programs that ask citizens to help us in solving both simple and complex problems.</p> <p>Now, USDA is excited to announce our role in helping to harness “the power of the crowd” with the official release of <a href="http://www.citizenscience.gov">CitizenScience.gov</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.citizenscience.gov">CitizenScience.gov</a> is the focal point for Federal CCS activities, linking the Toolkit and the CCS Community of Federal Practitioners to a new database that catalogs CCS activities across the Government. This portal will help federal employees design and advertise the existence of CCS programs, and it will serve as a resource for industry, academia, and citizens that are interested in getting involved.</p> <p>As USDA’s CCS Coordinator, I have participated on a team comprised of representatives from 25 Federal Agencies working to prepare the Government’s database of CCS activities. Here at USDA, we have identified over 20 active CCS programs, demonstrating our commitment to engaging and educating citizens on scientific research that aims to improve our stewardship of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human health.</p> <p>Through the Agricultural Research Service, citizens are helping to track invasive mosquitoes that serve as vectors for diseases like Zika virus. Assisting scientists in the Natural Resources Conservation Service, citizens have contributed an estimated 660+ hours annually <a href="http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/">measuring snow melt and water supply</a> throughout Montana, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, and Oregon. With support from the United States Forest Service, citizens are monitoring bird, bat, and plant species in New Mexico, Alaska, and Oklahoma. And through competitive grant funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA has supported citizen science projects that are tracking invasive stink bugs in Michigan and populations of native bees and pollinators on organic farms in Washington State.</p> <p>When it comes to CCS activities, USDA has remained true to President Lincoln’s declaration that we are “The People’s Department”. &nbsp;If you’re excited about getting involved, visit <a href="http://www.citizenscience.gov">CitizenScience.gov</a> to learn about projects in your area, and send your thoughts and comments to @WhiteHouseOSTP and @USGSA using the hashtag #CitSci.</p> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A18">Research and Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A20">Technology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/194" class="usa-tag"> ARS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/6968" class="usa-tag"> citizen science </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/46" class="usa-tag"> FS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/283" class="usa-tag"> NIFA </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/100" class="usa-tag"> NRCS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/4041" class="usa-tag"> OCS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/521" class="usa-tag"> White House </a> </span> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-teaser-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/two_column_header_image_1320x888/public/usda_blog_images/2_1677_25842722963_32f07bde35.jpg?h=fe35a905&amp;itok=lRDy3lXK" width="1320" height="888" alt="CitizenScience.gov homepage screenshot" loading="lazy"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-social-share-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-above flex-column"> <div class="field__label">Social Share Image:</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/usda_blog_images/2_1677_25842722963_32f07bde35.jpg?itok=oCztTmi6" width="477" height="480" alt="CitizenScience.gov homepage screenshot" title="2_1677_25842722963_32f07bde35.jpg" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </description> <pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:00:55 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">19664 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> <item> <title>Living up to our Creed: Commemorating 50 Years of the Voting Rights Act</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2015/08/19/living-our-creed-commemorating-50-years-voting-rights-act</link> <description> <span>Living up to our Creed: Commemorating 50 Years of the Voting Rights Act</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2015-08-19T13:00:45-04:00" title="Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 13:00">Wed, 08/19/2015 - 13:00</time> </span> Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/675/20040571033_f71c6ef3fd.jpg" alt="Secretary Tom Vilsack, Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Selma Mayor George Evans along with USDA State Directors and local officials at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala" width="500" height="333" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>Secretary Tom Vilsack, Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Selma Mayor George Evans along with USDA State Directors and local officials at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Over the course of the Administration, we’ve observed many significant anniversaries in the fight for equality across this great nation. We commemorated the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historic <em>I Have a Dream </em>speech. Last year marked the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of President Johnson’s War on Poverty and our continued commitment to addressing poverty and income inequality across America, as well as fifty years since the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act. This year, we mark the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.</p> <p>Earlier this week, I spent some time with Congresswoman Terri Sewell in Alabama. I had the opportunity to walk across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where, 50 years ago, the men and women of the civil rights movement etched out their place in history as they faced intense hostility and hatred with love and nonviolence.</p> <p>At USDA, we strive to honor the legacy of those brave individuals and live out Dr. King’s creed more fully each and every day. Over the past six years, we have corrected past errors, learned from mistakes, and charted a stronger path for the future. I am proud of what we have <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&amp;contentid=usda-results-civil-rights.html">accomplished</a> to help overcome a troubled history of discrimination at USDA, but we are not finished. We want to be helpful in making sure the story of the fight for equality and justice of which Selma is such an important part is preserved and continued through our rural development efforts.&nbsp;We are working to build a more diverse Department that stands ready to serve all customers with dignity and respect, no matter what.</p> <p>Without question, discrimination and poverty are still part of the lived experience of too many Americans, particularly in the rural communities USDA serves. We continue to listen, engage and transform to better serve every American and move out from under the shadow of prejudice and injustice. Today, I am proud to say that USDA is standing on the right side of the promise President Lincoln made to the American people 150 years ago. Today, I am proud to say that we are truly the “People’s Department.”</p> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A14">Initiatives</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/621" class="usa-tag"> Alabama </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/1495" class="usa-tag"> Civil Rights </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/6901" class="usa-tag"> Dr. Martin Luther King </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5704" class="usa-tag"> President Johnson </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/122" class="usa-tag"> Tom Vilsack </a> </span> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-teaser-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/two_column_header_image_1320x888/public/usda_blog_images/675_20040571033_f71c6ef3fd.jpg?h=def3cf70&amp;itok=epKI9jdi" width="1320" height="888" alt="Secretary Tom Vilsack, Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Selma Mayor George Evans along with USDA State Directors and local officials at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala" loading="lazy"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-social-share-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-above flex-column"> <div class="field__label">Social Share Image:</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/usda_blog_images/675_20040571033_f71c6ef3fd.jpg?itok=iMJsCRT3" width="480" height="320" alt="Secretary Tom Vilsack, Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Selma Mayor George Evans along with USDA State Directors and local officials at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala" title="675_20040571033_f71c6ef3fd.jpg" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </description> <pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:00:45 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">19174 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> <item> <title>Nevada Preschoolers 'Dig in' to Help Dedicate New People's Garden</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2014/07/09/nevada-preschoolers-dig-help-dedicate-new-peoples-garden</link> <description> <span>Nevada Preschoolers 'Dig in' to Help Dedicate New People's Garden</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2014-07-09T10:00:46-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 9, 2014 - 10:00">Wed, 07/09/2014 - 10:00</time> </span> Heather Emmons, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nevada <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5579/14425779530_ab856628c7.jpg" alt="From left to right: Nevada NRCS employee Consuelo Navar, Supply Clerk, helps preschoolers from One World Children’s Academy plant seeds in the People’s Garden, along with a parent helper. Photo by One World Children’s Academy." width="500" height="375" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>From left to right: Nevada NRCS employee Consuelo Navar, Supply Clerk, helps preschoolers from One World Children’s Academy plant seeds in the People’s Garden, along with a parent helper. Photo by One World Children’s Academy.</figcaption> </figure> <p>It’s never too early to start cultivating a “green thumb,” and a People’s Garden in Reno, Nev. is doing just that.</p> <p>Employees of USDA’s <a href="http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/">Natural Resources Conservation Service</a> (NRCS) and <a href="http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/">Farm Service Agency</a> (FSA) recently created a new <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=PEOPLES_GARDEN">People’s Garden</a> at their office in partnership with One World Children’s Academy, a preschool across the street from the office.</p> <p>NRCS and FSA employees dedicated the new garden, called “People’s Garden of the Truckee Meadows,” with the help of a class of four- and five-year-old preschoolers, planting bush beans and peas and building four scarecrows.</p> <p>Because the preschool is near the USDA office, the children can stop by and see the fruits of their labor in the weeks and months to come.</p> <p>“I’ll come back tomorrow to see my bean grow,” said one eager youngster.</p> <p>NRCS State Office employees, along with Earth Team Volunteers, have been working on the beginning stages of the garden since September 2013. The project has faced some challenges with uncooperative weather and local wildlife, but the dedication in April went off without a hitch.</p> <p>“It’s so exciting to see all of the enthusiasm from employees, volunteers and retirees happy to donate supplies and valuable knowledge to the garden, but to share it with the community and educate children has been the icing on the cake,” said Emily Avila, People’s Garden coordinator for NRCS in Nevada.</p> <p>USDA began the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=PEOPLES_GARDEN">People’s Garden Initiative</a> in 2009 in honor of President Lincoln’s founding of USDA as the “People’s Department” with a challenge to employees to create gardens at facilities worldwide.</p> <p>In keeping with the mission of the People’s Garden Initiative, it will benefit the community, be a collaborative effort and incorporate sustainable practices.</p> <p>“In addition to employees helping outside in the garden, they have been helping indoors by disposing of biodegradable trash like coffee grounds and fruit peels, into our composting bucket, which we take outside and add to our composting pile,” Avila said.</p> <p>After Christmas last year, NRCS partnered with Washoe County Parks and Recreation to gather recycled Christmas tree mulch to use as the ground cover for the garden and have designated the <a href="http://fbnn.org/">Food Bank of Northern Nevada</a> as the charity to receive all the fruit and vegetables grown in the garden.</p> <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14589407656_2b6319989f.jpg" alt="Kids and staff from the One World Children’s Academy build and decorate a scarecrow, with the help of Nevada NRCS employee Susan Looper, Technical Resource Conservationist (far right), at the People’s Garden. Photo by Bill Daily, Nevada NRCS." width="500" height="332" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>Kids and staff from the One World Children’s Academy build and decorate a scarecrow, with the help of Nevada NRCS employee Susan Looper, Technical Resource Conservationist (far right), at the People’s Garden. Photo by Bill Daily, Nevada NRCS.</figcaption> </figure> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A14">Initiatives</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/930" class="usa-tag"> Earth Team </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3211" class="usa-tag"> Earth Team Volunteers </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5316" class="usa-tag"> food banks </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/126" class="usa-tag"> FSA </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/538" class="usa-tag"> Nevada </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/100" class="usa-tag"> NRCS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/133" class="usa-tag"> People's Garden </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-teaser-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/two_column_header_image_1320x888/public/usda_blog_images/5579_14425779530_ab856628c7.jpg?h=2075fdba&amp;itok=3TQJiCZg" width="1320" height="888" alt="From left to right: Nevada NRCS employee Consuelo Navar, Supply Clerk, helps preschoolers from One World Children’s Academy plant seeds in the People’s Garden, along with a parent helper. Photo by One World Children’s Academy." loading="lazy"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-social-share-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-above flex-column"> <div class="field__label">Social Share Image:</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/usda_blog_images/5579_14425779530_ab856628c7.jpg?itok=uxhXJaQw" width="480" height="360" alt="From left to right: Nevada NRCS employee Consuelo Navar, Supply Clerk, helps preschoolers from One World Children’s Academy plant seeds in the People’s Garden, along with a parent helper. Photo by One World Children’s Academy." title="5579_14425779530_ab856628c7.jpg" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </description> <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2014 14:00:46 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">18182 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> <item> <title>Secretary's Column: USDA Support Keeps Old Glory Flying High</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2014/07/03/secretarys-column-usda-support-keeps-old-glory-flying-high</link> <description> <span>Secretary's Column: USDA Support Keeps Old Glory Flying High</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2014-07-03T15:00:00-04:00" title="Thursday, July 3, 2014 - 15:00">Thu, 07/03/2014 - 15:00</time> </span> Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack <p>What began as a small sail-making shop in 19<sup>th</sup> century New York City has evolved into the modern realization of one family’s American Dream—a family-owned and –operated small business whose product has been a part of some of the most iconic images in our nation’s history.</p> <p>Alexander Annin’s sail-making shop, established in the 1820s, has evolved into the oldest and largest flag company in the United States and is still in operation today. Commencing with Zachary Taylor’s 1849 presidential inauguration; to the flag-draped coffin of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865; onward to the iconic image of U.S. Marines hoisting the flag on Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi in 1945; to the flag planted by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon in 1969—all were Annin-made flags.</p> <p>Today, <a href="http://www.annin.com/">Annin Flagmakers</a> is still family-owned and fiercely committed to using only U.S. labor and materials to produce an average of 35,000 flags each week. From start to finish, Annin flag makers oversee every stitch in more than 15 million flags every year.</p> <p>In recent years, USDA Rural Development has helped this small business continue to grow and thrive through support from our <a href="http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_gar.html">Business and Industry loan program</a>. The company used the funds to purchase, renovate and expand its manufacturing facility in rural Coshocton, Ohio which today employs approximately 225 proud Ohioans.</p> <p>Most recently, Annin Flagmakers donated labor and materials to help restore the <a href="http://national911flag.org/">National 9/11 Flag</a>, destroyed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. This flag, which has traveled the breadth of the United States and has been stitched upon by hundreds of American hands, also integrates thread from the original <em>Star Spangled Banner</em> that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.</p> <p>As we celebrate American independence this weekend with family, friends, feasting and fireworks, let us also remember the brave men and women across the centuries whose commitment to duty was so deep that they gave their own lives to protect others. The American flag stands as a proud symbol of their sacrifice, and reminds us of our many blessings. Because of them, each and every one of us is able to pursue the opportunity for life, liberty, and our own personal American Dream.</p> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A16">Rural</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/6072" class="usa-tag"> #4thofJuly </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/6022" class="usa-tag"> #RuralMade </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5465" class="usa-tag"> 9/11 </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/1457" class="usa-tag"> Business and Industry Loan </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/1115" class="usa-tag"> New York City </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/251" class="usa-tag"> Ohio </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/61" class="usa-tag"> RD </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3355" class="usa-tag"> Secretary's Column </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5556" class="usa-tag"> small businesses </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/122" class="usa-tag"> Tom Vilsack </a> </span> </div> </description> <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2014 19:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">18173 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> <item> <title>People's Garden in Illinois Provides Food, Sanctuary for Pollinators</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2014/06/20/peoples-garden-illinois-provides-food-sanctuary-pollinators</link> <description> <span>People's Garden in Illinois Provides Food, Sanctuary for Pollinators</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2014-06-20T10:00:44-04:00" title="Friday, June 20, 2014 - 10:00">Fri, 06/20/2014 - 10:00</time> </span> Jody Christiansen, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Illinois <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/14460342245_39b5a947b7.jpg" alt="The volunteers worked four hours to get the 710 plants in the ground. NRCS photo." width="500" height="333" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>The volunteers worked four hours to get the 710 plants in the ground. NRCS photo.</figcaption> </figure> <p>What’s the buzz going on in Princeton, Ill.? A food fest for our pollinator friends, that’s what.</p> <p>This is a <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=PEOPLES_GARDEN">People’s Garden</a> designed specifically for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The idea came to Ellen Starr, area biologist with the USDA’s <a href="http://www.nrcs.usda.gov">Natural Resources Conservation Service</a>, while walking her dog one day.</p> <p>“Populations of many pollinators are in serious decline,” said Starr, a fan of pollinators. “So what better way to educate the public about the issue than create a garden?”</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=PEOPLES_GARDEN">People’s Garden Initiative</a> began in 2009 in honor of President Lincoln’s founding of USDA as the “People’s Department” with a challenge to employees to create gardens at facilities worldwide.</p> <p>In keeping with the mission of the People’s Garden Initiative, the garden planted last month will benefit the community, be a collaborative effort and incorporate sustainable practices.</p> <p>It took several months to find a location, but finally the garden found a spot in front of the public library. Perry Memorial Hospital owns the land and was very glad to welcome the garden to their green space, Starr said.</p> <p>“The library can use the garden for educational sessions,” Starr said. “I am giving two talks this summer about <a href="http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/faqs/nativefaq2.html">gardening with native plants</a> and the importance of pollinators. Both talks were prompted by the planting of this garden.”</p> <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3892/14459230284_eb2439e46a.jpg" alt="Ellen Starr discusses with volunteer where certain plants will be placed. NRCS photo." width="500" height="403" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>Ellen Starr discusses with volunteer where certain plants will be placed. NRCS photo.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Gardens, especially ones with native plants, provide food and habitat for pollinators. This 2,400-square-foot garden has 710 plants, comprised of 28 different native species.</p> <p><a href="http://plants.usda.gov/java/">Some of the native plants</a> include wild geranium, butterfly weed, goldenrod and New England aster and will bloom throughout early spring to late fall.</p> <p>“All the plants have nectar high in sugar and will be a great source of food for the pollinators,” Starr said, noting the benefits of native plants for food and sanctuary for pollinators.</p> <p>A path made of stone runs through the middle of the garden making it easier for those who are curious to get a closer look. Signs were placed throughout the garden to identify the plant species.</p> <p>Late last month, volunteers consisting of <a href="http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2009news/07091_master_gardener.html">Master Gardener</a> members, USDA employees and others who just like to garden helped establish the People’s Garden. Within a few hours the ground came to life.</p> <p>Each year the plants grow, they will fill in and slow weed growth.</p> <p>“We hope the community will stop by often to see the changes as the plants grow and learn what they can do in their own yard and help pull a few weeds too,” Starr said.</p> <p>Some of the garden’s partners include Princeton Graphics, Bureau County Pheasants Forever Chapter, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Friends of the Garden and local businesses.</p> <p>This week, USDA is celebrating <a href="http://www.pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2014.htm">National Pollinator Week</a> by highlighting the many ways in which conservation benefits pollinators.</p> <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/14273737150_557000254a.jpg" alt="The pollinator garden plants were finally in and sprinklers began watering. NRCS photo." width="500" height="332" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>The pollinator garden plants were finally in and sprinklers began watering. NRCS photo.</figcaption> </figure> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A4">Conservation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A14">Initiatives</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/162" class="usa-tag"> Bees </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/1184" class="usa-tag"> Butterflies </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/34" class="usa-tag"> Conservation </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5789" class="usa-tag"> flowers </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/1386" class="usa-tag"> gardens </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/536" class="usa-tag"> Illinois </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/1297" class="usa-tag"> National Pollinator Week </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/100" class="usa-tag"> NRCS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/133" class="usa-tag"> People's Garden </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/234" class="usa-tag"> pollinators </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5330" class="usa-tag"> Xerces Society </a> </span> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-teaser-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/two_column_header_image_1320x888/public/usda_blog_images/2908_14460342245_39b5a947b7.jpg?h=def3cf70&amp;itok=4u60Jcgy" width="1320" height="888" alt="The volunteers worked four hours to get the 710 plants in the ground. NRCS photo." loading="lazy"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-social-share-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-above flex-column"> <div class="field__label">Social Share Image:</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/usda_blog_images/2908_14460342245_39b5a947b7.jpg?itok=CHLzPFGp" width="480" height="320" alt="The volunteers worked four hours to get the 710 plants in the ground. NRCS photo." title="2908_14460342245_39b5a947b7.jpg" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </description> <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:00:44 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">18129 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> <item> <title>Ag Research Month at the "People's Department"</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2014/04/29/ag-research-month-peoples-department</link> <description> <span>Ag Research Month at the "People's Department"</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2014-04-29T15:00:51-04:00" title="Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 15:00">Tue, 04/29/2014 - 15:00</time> </span> Sean Adams, USDA Agricultural Research Service Information Staff <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/14041810756_462ecdde06.jpg" alt="ARS cotton technologist Paul Sawhney (left) and research leader Brian Condon examine needled-punched nonwoven products made with classical raw cotton and precleaned raw cotton, respectively." width="333" height="500" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>ARS cotton technologist Paul Sawhney (left) and research leader Brian Condon examine needled-punched nonwoven products made with classical raw cotton and precleaned raw cotton, respectively.</figcaption> </figure> <p><em>This post is part of the </em><a href="https://blogs.usda.gov/tag/science-tuesday/"><em>Science Tuesday</em></a><em> feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from the USDA’s rich science and research portfolio.</em></p> <p><em>During the month of April we have taken a closer look at USDA’s Groundbreaking Research for a Revitalized Rural America, highlighting ways USDA researchers are improving the lives of Americans in ways you might never imagine.</em></p> <p>Ag research month has been an excellent opportunity to showcase all the ways in which USDA is truly the “People’s Department.”</p> <p>That’s how President Lincoln described it after USDA was established in 1862. More than 150 years later, we continue to find innovative ways to improve agricultural production and create new products to benefit the American people.</p> <p>In recent posts, we’ve talked about how USDA scientists are protecting watersheds and underground aquifers, discovering new organisms with high-tech microscopes, improving food safety, and preserving garlic varieties that can benefit small farmers who can, in turn, offer them to consumers at farmers’ markets. We’re also helping to develop the next generation of scientists who will continue the USDA tradition of scientific innovation that has resulted in everything from frozen food to permanent press cotton to the mass production of penicillin.</p> <p>USDA is redoubling its efforts to transfer technology from the laboratory to the marketplace, where consumers can benefit from new products. Last week, USDA released its <a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/sp2UserFiles/Place/01090000/FY13_TT%20Ann%20Rpt%20.pdf">annual technology transfer report for 2013</a>. The report documents research accomplishments from Federal scientists, as well as highlights success stories from partnerships USDA scientists have established with outside investigators at universities and private companies. By entering into these partnerships, we are leveraging our limited resources to get the biggest bang for the buck.</p> <p>In Fiscal Year 2013, USDA filed 147 patent applications, received 51 patents, and disclosed 180 new inventions. We also have 259 active Cooperative Research and Development Agreements with outside investigators, including 117 with small businesses.</p> <p>These types of cooperative agreements continue to bear fruit and often lead to groundbreaking research discoveries that benefit the American public. For example, a USDA Agricultural Research Service stakeholder, T.J. Beall Company, recently won an international award for its product called True Cotton™, a cotton fiber specific for use in nonwoven fabrics.</p> <p>Under a cooperative agreement with ARS and a <a href="http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/sbir/sbir.html">USDA SBIR grant</a>, the company developed and launched True Cotton™, the first non-bleached cotton that can be used specifically in nonwoven products like wipes and diapers. ARS researchers at New Orleans, La., have conducted studies using True Cotton™ to demonstrate its suitability for processing into these products. The more than $50 billion nonwoven market is a significant true business expansion opportunity for U.S. cotton because it is currently dominated by synthetic materials due to technical reasons.</p> <p>At USDA, we will continue to enter into these types of agreements to bring innovations to the people—a fitting mission for the “People’s Department.”</p> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A18">Research and Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5763" class="usa-tag"> #AgInnovates </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/2680" class="usa-tag"> agricultural production </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/194" class="usa-tag"> ARS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5889" class="usa-tag"> cotton </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/43" class="usa-tag"> Food Safety </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/181" class="usa-tag"> Louisiana </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/48" class="usa-tag"> Research </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3708" class="usa-tag"> SBIR </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/1321" class="usa-tag"> Science Tuesday </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5583" class="usa-tag"> small farmers </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5011" class="usa-tag"> watersheds </a> </span> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-teaser-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/two_column_header_image_1320x888/public/usda_blog_images/2940_14041810756_462ecdde06.jpg?h=85035172&amp;itok=avMGhX0E" width="1320" height="888" alt="ARS cotton technologist Paul Sawhney (left) and research leader Brian Condon examine needled-punched nonwoven products made with classical raw cotton and precleaned raw cotton, respectively." loading="lazy"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-social-share-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-above flex-column"> <div class="field__label">Social Share Image:</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/usda_blog_images/2940_14041810756_462ecdde06.jpg?itok=-wfGq8gW" width="320" height="480" alt="ARS cotton technologist Paul Sawhney (left) and research leader Brian Condon examine needled-punched nonwoven products made with classical raw cotton and precleaned raw cotton, respectively." title="2940_14041810756_462ecdde06.jpg" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </description> <pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2014 19:00:51 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">17988 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> <item> <title>Secretary's Column: Serving Up Healthy Food and a Healthier Next Generation</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2014/03/21/secretarys-column-serving-healthy-food-and-healthier-next-generation</link> <description> <span>Secretary's Column: Serving Up Healthy Food and a Healthier Next Generation</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2014-03-21T12:00:35-04:00" title="Friday, March 21, 2014 - 12:00">Fri, 03/21/2014 - 12:00</time> </span> Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack <p><em>This article was originally posted on ServiceNation.org. Read the original </em><a href="http://www.servicenation.org/serving_up_healthy_food_and_a_healthier_next_generation"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em></p> <p>As Secretary of Agriculture, I take USDA’s nickname of the “People’s Department”—first coined by President Abraham Lincoln—to heart. Over the past five years, we have worked hard to build upon our tradition of service to the American people, supporting both the farmers and ranchers who grow our food and giving American families confidence that the food they buy at the grocery store is safe, healthy and affordable.</p> <p>We could not accomplish our mission without the contributions of partner organizations and individual volunteers across the country. While our work with volunteers is by no means exclusive to nutrition and nutrition education, volunteers act as our boots on the ground in classrooms and communities to teach kids about where food comes from and <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday">why the diet and lifestyle choices they make today matter for their future</a>. Volunteers, along with parents, teachers, school administrators, and school food service professionals, are absolutely critical to our efforts to improve childhood nutrition and help this generation of youngsters grow up healthy and strong.</p> <p>Last year, we worked with 125 <a href="https://foodcorps.org/">FoodCorps service members</a> in schools across 15 states, including my home state of Iowa. FoodCorps is part of the AmeriCorps Service Network, and its volunteers spend one year terms in schools across the country, from Connecticut to California, helping schools bring local and regionally grown foods into the cafeteria and providing nutrition education to students.</p> <p>The importance of that second piece cannot be overstated. The average elementary school student gets just an average of 3.4 hours of nutrition education each year, far less time than they spend watching television in a typical <em>day</em>. Studies show that kids exposed to healthy foods early on are more likely to try and like them, so one of the most important things that FoodCorps members do is work with teachers to expand the quantity and quality of nutrition and agricultural education available to students in the classroom.</p> <p>One of the ways FoodCorps members do that is through hands-on learning experiences in school gardens. School gardens provide great learning tools for kids, teaching them to apply math, science and nutrition lessons outside of the classroom. Last year, FoodCorps members built or revitalized more than 400 school gardens. As an added bonus, those same FoodCorps members helped to harvest more than 29,000 pounds of produce, which was donated in their local communities.</p> <p>I am also proud to say that the <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/tag/volunteers/">spirit of service runs deep in all that we do at the Department of Agriculture</a>. For example, through Feds Feed Families, a Federal government-wide initiative to supply food and hygiene items for distribution by food banks and shelters, USDA last year donated more than more than 4.3 million pounds of food.</p> <p>And through our People’s Garden Initiative—named in honor of President Lincoln—we’ve established a network of 2,014 gardens at USDA facilities, schools, faith-based centers and other locations across the country. USDA employees volunteer in the gardens to weed and perform other upkeep, teach demonstration classes, and harvest fruits, vegetables and herbs, which are donated to local food banks.</p> <p>Volunteers have given&nbsp;211,884 hours of their time to People’s Gardens located across the country. This time alone is worth an estimated $4.5 million dollars, which comes on top of the 3.8 million pounds of fresh produce volunteers have picked to donate to those in need.</p> <p>Committed volunteers make a tremendous difference in towns and communities across our great nation. Their great ideas, hard work and innovation—whether on farms, in schools, or in the local community—improve the lives of everyone around them. If you’re currently a volunteer, keep it up! If not, I encourage you to visit <a href="http://www.serve.gov">www.serve.gov</a> for information on opportunities to make a difference in your own hometown.</p> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A11">Food and Nutrition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A14">Initiatives</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/2882" class="usa-tag"> AmeriCorps </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/540" class="usa-tag"> California </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/1865" class="usa-tag"> Connecticut </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/35" class="usa-tag"> Farmers </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/160" class="usa-tag"> Feds Feed Families </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/31" class="usa-tag"> Food and Nutrition </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5121" class="usa-tag"> HealthierNextGen </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/220" class="usa-tag"> Iowa </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3397" class="usa-tag"> People's Garden Initiative </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/37" class="usa-tag"> Ranchers </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/5522" class="usa-tag"> School Gardens </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3355" class="usa-tag"> Secretary's Column </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/122" class="usa-tag"> Tom Vilsack </a> </span> </div> </description> <pubDate>Fri, 21 Mar 2014 16:00:35 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">17873 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> <item> <title>New Hampshire Celebrates USDA 150th Anniversary at Miles Smith Farm</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2012/08/06/new-hampshire-celebrates-usda-150th-anniversary-miles-smith-farm</link> <description> <span>New Hampshire Celebrates USDA 150th Anniversary at Miles Smith Farm</span> <span><span>Ben Weaver</span></span> <span><time datetime="2012-08-06T14:17:53-04:00" title="Monday, August 6, 2012 - 14:17">Mon, 08/06/2012 - 14:17</time> </span> Marie Ferris, New Hampshire USDA Public Information Officer and Molly Lambert, State Director, USDA Rural Development <p>Over 250 people gathered at the Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, New Hampshire last week to celebrate <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=USDA150">USDA’s 150<sup>th</sup> Anniversary</a> on a hot, humid summer day.</p> <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8423/7727000548_b0d083a1de.jpg" alt="on left - Judith Canales, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development in front row with Gregg MacPherson, Area Director and Molly Lambert, State Director – on right – congressional staff Ivey Jones-Congressman Bass, Sean Thomas-Congressman Guinta, Matt Leahy-Senator Shaheen, and Simon Thompson-Senator Ayotte with community attendees at the New Hampshire 150th USDA Anniversary Observance." width="500" height="375" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>on left - Judith Canales, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development in front row with Gregg MacPherson, Area Director and Molly Lambert, State Director – on right – congressional staff Ivey Jones-Congressman Bass, Sean Thomas-Congressman Guinta, Matt Leahy-Senator Shaheen, and Simon Thompson-Senator Ayotte with community attendees at the New Hampshire 150th USDA Anniversary Observance.</figcaption> </figure> <p>The hosts – Carole Soule and Bruce Dawson graciously opened their farm as the perfect location for this event. After driving up a narrow road, we discovered a scurry of activity as guests were welcomed and directed to a field set up with tents, farmer market vendors, informational booths and people.</p> <p>The people who attended, shared interest in and knowledge of agriculture and the work of the USDA. Community members, state, federal and local officials came together to celebrate the 150 year history of the USDA and to share their visions of the USDA going forward.</p> <p>Judith Canales, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for <a href="http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Home.html">Rural Development</a> and the keynote speaker, delivered stirring remarks on behalf of President Obama and Secretary Tom Vilsack. &nbsp;She spoke about "The People's Department" as declared by President Lincoln 150 years ago. She noted New Hampshire's history as one of the original thirteen colonies when USDA was created by President Lincoln. &nbsp;She added that it was appropriate to be celebrating on a farm that existed in 1830 - even older than the USDA!</p> <p>Camaraderie was felt throughout the tent as Rick Ellsmore, <a href="http://www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov/">Natural Resources Conservation Service</a> State Executive Conservationist and master of ceremonies spoke to the audience followed by staff from each member of the congressional delegation.</p> <p>Lorraine Merrill, Commissioner New Hampshire Dept of Agriculture, Marketing and Foods spoke eloquently about the historic significance of the USDA and stated that in spite of the raging civil war, the Congress and President managed to launch the USDA, sign the <a href="http://www.nal.usda.gov/morrill-land-grant-college-act">Morrill Land Grant College Act</a>, pass the <a href="http://www.nal.usda.gov/homestead-act">Homestead Act</a> and complete the Transcontinental Railroad.&nbsp;New H Farm Bureau President, Jeff Holmes, made a plea to get the Farm Bill passed.</p> <p>After the Two Chiefs Award Ceremony recognizing the joint efforts of conservationists, the crowd visited the vendors, chatted with many agency representatives and toured nine projects on the Miles Smith Farm funded by USDA <a href="http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/stateoffapp?mystate=nh&amp;area=home&amp;subject=landing&amp;topic=landing">Farm Service Agency</a>, Natural Resources Conservation Service, <a href="http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/NH-VTHome.html">Rural Development</a> and <a href="http://agriculture.nh.gov/">New Hampshire Department of Agriculture</a>.</p> <p>For the more adventurous, there was an opportunity to ride a Scottish Highlander cow named Missy.</p> <p>The day ended with a dedication of a <a href="http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wa/document/People%27s%20Garden/Vilsack%20People%27s%20Garden%20Letter.pdf">People’s Garden</a> and plaque as a thank you to Carole Soule, Bruce Dawson and Miles Smith Farm for their warm hospitality.</p> <p>What a great way to celebrate a great agency - its work and its people!</p> <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7726997864_fc5c7ce3f5.jpg" alt="Owners Carole Soule and Bruce Dawson at the Miles Smith Farm – with a commemorative garden plaque marking USDA’s 150th Anniversary." width="500" height="487" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>Owners Carole Soule and Bruce Dawson at the Miles Smith Farm – with a commemorative garden plaque marking USDA’s 150th Anniversary.</figcaption> </figure> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A105">USDA Results</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A4">Conservation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A16">Rural</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/126" class="usa-tag"> FSA </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/552" class="usa-tag"> Judith Canales </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3881" class="usa-tag"> Morrill Act </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/544" class="usa-tag"> New Hampshire </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/100" class="usa-tag"> NRCS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/3883" class="usa-tag"> President Lincoln </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/96" class="usa-tag"> President Obama </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/61" class="usa-tag"> RD </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/122" class="usa-tag"> Tom Vilsack </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/4137" class="usa-tag"> usda150 </a> </span> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-teaser-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/two_column_header_image_1320x888/public/usda_blog_images/8423_7727000548_b0d083a1de.jpg?h=2075fdba&amp;itok=-OGf2G0X" width="1320" height="888" alt="on left - Judith Canales, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development in front row with Gregg MacPherson, Area Director and Molly Lambert, State Director – on right – congressional staff Ivey Jones-Congressman Bass, Sean Thomas-Congressman Guinta, Matt Leahy-Senator Shaheen, and Simon Thompson-Senator Ayotte with community attendees at the New Hampshire 150th USDA Anniversary Observance." loading="lazy"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-social-share-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-above flex-column"> <div class="field__label">Social Share Image:</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/usda_blog_images/8423_7727000548_b0d083a1de.jpg?itok=hPEN3p2M" width="480" height="360" alt="on left - Judith Canales, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development in front row with Gregg MacPherson, Area Director and Molly Lambert, State Director – on right – congressional staff Ivey Jones-Congressman Bass, Sean Thomas-Congressman Guinta, Matt Leahy-Senator Shaheen, and Simon Thompson-Senator Ayotte with community attendees at the New Hampshire 150th USDA Anniversary Observance." title="8423_7727000548_b0d083a1de.jpg" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </description> <pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:17:53 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Ben Weaver</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">16464 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> </channel> </rss>