U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Staff Appointments

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the names of individuals who will hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C. Malcom A. Shorter has been appointed to serve as Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Actions, Investments to Create Fairer Markets, Lower Prices

SAN FRANCISCO, March 6, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $89 million across the country (PDF, 160 KB) to finance the startup and expansion of independent meat processors. USDA also announced initial steps the Department is taking to create a more competitive marketplace for seeds and other agricultural inputs.

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $59 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain and Rural Economies

HARRISONBURG, Va., Feb. 21, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $59 million across the country (PDF, 153 KB) to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and create jobs in rural areas.

Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Project Summaries

USDA is investing $3.1 billion in 141 selected projects under Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. Details on individual projects are provided below. First Funding Pool Project Summaries Farmers for Soil Health Climate-Smart Commodities Partnership

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Historic Investment in Partnerships for 70 Climate-Smart Commodities and Rural Projects

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2022 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the Biden-Harris Administration through the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity, with projects from the second funding pool to be announced later this year.

A Precision Ag Approach to Cover Crops

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Congressional Deal for Child Nutrition

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2022 – "USDA’s child nutrition programs provide nutritious meals to America’s children. The school and other nutrition professionals who make these meals possible need additional resources and continued flexibilities as they grapple with the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic. The deal announced yesterday by Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman and Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Foxx would ease uncertainty and bring a measure of relief to our schools, summer sites and child care feeding programs.

Farm to School to Future!

Making varsity, attending prom, getting into college or finding a job upon graduation … all things that many high school students spend time thinking about. We’d wager that very few of them also spend time thinking about where their food comes from, how nutritious it is, or how it got to their plate. Unless, that is, they happen to be a student at William Penn High School in New Castle, Delaware.

USDA Urges Communities, Farmers, Ranchers to be Prepared for Severe Weather

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2022 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds those in the path of the severe weather forecast for the Southeast this week, to take steps now to keep their food safe, and for farmers and ranchers to take proactive steps to protect their livestock. The weather system is forecast to bring severe storms, including damaging winds, severe rain, potential flooding, hail and even tornadoes to parts of the Southern Plains and Gulf Coast starting today. Food safety guidance:

USDA Seeks Nominations for Membership on Food Safety Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is soliciting nominations for membership to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). USDA expects to appoint committee members in 2022.