News from June 2023


USDA Launches Effort to Strengthen Substantiation of Animal-Raising Claims

Release: WASHINGTON, June 14, 2023 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. This action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels and to implement President Bidens Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy.


Opening Statement: “A Review of Title VII: University Perspectives on Research and Extension Programs”

Release: "Good morning and welcome to today’s hearing on agricultural research and extension activities across the nation’s universities. As a three-time graduate of land-grant universities and a former Extension agent, this is an issue near to my heart and I am looking forward to the discussion today.


Farm Service Agency Now Accepting Nominations for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on Local County Committees

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members for elections that will occur later this year. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is unveiling a new GIS tool to make it easier for producers to participate in the nomination and election processes for county committee members, who make important decisions on how federal farm programs are administered locally.


USDA Applauds Washingtons Tribal Eligibility Demonstration Project Expansion

Release: San Francisco, June 15, 2023 USDAs Food and Nutrition Service has approved Washington Department of Social and Health Services request to expand their Tribal Eligibility Demonstration Project to five additional tribal nations. Stacy Dean, deputy under secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, shared the news at an event yesterday on Port Gamble SKlallam tribal lands.


Agriculture Department discusses Decoupling Rental Assistance: Virtual Public Listening Sessions on June 15

The US Agriculture Department published a two page notice on June 15, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.



Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Agricultural Producers to Strengthen Markets and Create Jobs for Producers in 19 States

News Release: Manchester, NH, June 15, 2023 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making investments that will create new and better markets for agricultural producers and food businesses in 19 states across rural America.




Producers Can Now go "Whole Hog" on New Heat Stress App for Pigs

News Release: HotHog, a new smartphone application ("app") that predicts heat stress in pigs, is now available for download and use, a team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists announced today.


Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $700 Million to Connect People in Rural Areas to High-Speed Internet

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $714 million in grants and loans to connect thousands of rural residents, farmers and business owners in 19 states to reliable, affordable high-speed internet.


USDA Accepts More Than 1 Million Acres in Offers Through Conservation Reserve Program General Signup

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting more than 1 million acres in this year’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup.


APHIS Authorizes Importation of Orchids for Planting from the Republic of Costa Rica

APHIS is authorizing the importation of Phalaenopsis spp. orchid plants for planting in approved growing media from the Republic of Costa Rica into the United States, including territories.


APHIS Announces Finding of No Significant Impact to Control Grasshoppers and Mormon crickets in New Mexico

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) completed Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Decisions for the environmental assessment (EA) to control grasshoppers and Mormon crickets in parts of New Mexico.


APHIS Reminds Importers to File APHIS Core Message Set Before Sending Cargo to Plant Inspection Station to Avoid Delays

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reminds brokers, filers, forwarders, carriers, and other members of the importing community that an APHIS Core Message Set for clearance must be filed prior to moving cargo to Plant Inspection Stations (PIS) for inspection.


Reminder: Upcoming NACMPI Meeting

The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will convene a virtual meeting on June 21-22, 2023, from 10-4 p.m. ET.


Indiana NRCS Accepting Applications for Third Round of CSP-IRA Funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a third round of Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was passed by Congress in August 2022.


NRCS seeks new priority watersheds for the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative and National Water Quality Initiative

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Indiana announced it is accepting proposals to designate new priority watersheds for the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) and National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) through July 28.


Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Tierra y Montes and Western Mora Soil and Water Conservation Districts will host two community events in Las Vegas and Mora.


Southwestern Plant Materials Centers Address Climate Concerns

Southwestern Plant Materials Centers in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Nevada collaborate to explore the climate adaptation potential of Plant Materials products and technology in accordance with the NRCS Climate Adaptation Plan.