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USDA-Brazil Team Examines Biodegradable Food Packaging

May 19, 2015 Sandra Avant, Agricultural Research Service

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from USDA’s rich science and research portfolio. A taste of Brazilian culture is presenting a favorable research environment for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS)...

Research and Science

$1 Billion Invested in Rural Health Care Across 13 States

May 04, 2015 Brandon McBride, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Karen B. DeSalvo, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc.

In late 2011, the President announced a White House Rural Council initiative lead by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to invest in rural health and link rural doctors and hospitals to financing for health IT. The initiative was designed to...

Rural Technology

Do You Know the Biosecurity Steps to Protect Your Poultry from Avian Influenza? Get Advice From the Experts with #chickenchat2015 on April 16

April 14, 2015 Joelle R. Hayden, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Since December 2014, USDA has confirmed several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways (or migratory bird paths). The disease has been found in wild birds, as well as in a few backyard and commercial poultry flocks. The Centers for...

Animals Plants

A Tool Helps Farmers, Conservationists Measure Cover Crop Economics

April 09, 2015 Jody Christiansen and Charlie Rahm, Natural Resources Conservation Service

What happens when you get two energized agriculture economists together? Possibly one of the best economic tools out there for farmers using or considering cover crops. The Cover Crop Economics Decision Support Tool, an Excel spreadsheet, was created by two economists with USDA’s Natural Resources...

Conservation

Taking a Bite out of the Local Apple in the Windy City

March 26, 2015 Anne L. Alonzo, Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator

March is National Nutrition Month, and local food plays an important role in providing Americans with fresh, healthy fuel for their bodies. From farmers to financiers to schools and hospitals, there is a lot of passion for sharing good food by supporting strong local and regional food systems. I...

Food and Nutrition Farming

Midwest and Northern Forests Regional Climate Hubs Vulnerability Assessment Published

March 24, 2015 Jerry L. Hatfield, Midwest Climate Hub lead and Christopher Swanston, Northern Forests Sub Hub lead

USDA’s Regional Climate Hubs were established in February of 2014 to deliver science-based knowledge, practical information, and program support to farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and resource managers to support climate-informed decision-making in light of the increased risks and...

Climate

Promoting Skills and Training for Low-Income Workers

March 23, 2015 Cecilia Muñoz, Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Jeff Zients, Director of the National Economic Council and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy

Cross-posted from the White House Council of Economic Advisers blog: Last year, the President directed Vice President Biden to lead a review of federal job training programs in order to identify and implement steps to make these programs more “job-driven” and responsive to the needs of employers...

USDA Results Food and Nutrition

Let's Get Every Kid in a Park

February 20, 2015 Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture; Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education; Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior; Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; Kathryn Sullivan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere a

Cross-posted from the White House Blog From sea to shining sea, our country is home to gorgeous landscapes, vibrant waterways, and historic treasures that all Americans can enjoy. But right now, young people are spending more time in front of screens than outside, and that means they are missing out...

Conservation

100 Years of USDA Market News: The Trusted Source - Then, Now and Always

February 11, 2015 Anne Alonzo, Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator

Have you ever wondered how American farmers and businesses track the price of their commodities? Today, farmers, ranchers, and the entire agricultural supply chain turn to USDA Market News – administered by my agency, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) – for timely, reliable, unbiased data...

Conservation Food and Nutrition Farming

USDA Foods Hatches New Chicken Product for Schools

January 21, 2015 Lindsay Walle, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Food Distribution Division

School lunches have evolved since many of our childhood days to keep pace with new dietary guidelines and school meal patterns, but one food has been an enduring component: chicken. The popular protein graces the center of the plate in a variety of forms and flavors, and the new USDA Foods...

Food and Nutrition
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