News from June 2023


USDA Provides Significant Support for American Producers, School Meal Providers and Emergency Food Operations

News Release: WASHINGTON, June 23, 2023 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the Biden-Harris Administration is providing $2.7 billion to support American farmers, students who participate in school meal programs, and emergency food operations.


USDA Partners with Farmers to Increase Innovative Domestic Fertilizer Production Through Investing in America Agenda

News Release: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is partnering with American businesses as part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to increase innovative domestic fertilizer production, creating jobs in rural communities and providing more options to U.S. farmers.


Constituent Update - June 23, 2023

Release: FSIS conducted a study with the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) laboratories to gather data on not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded stuffed chicken products purchased at retail stores. Specifically, FSIS was interested in gaining information on the positive rate ofSalmonellain these products and any differences in laboratory methods used.


Statement by Secretary Vilsack Regarding India’s Reduction In Retaliatory Tariffs on Agricultural Products

News Release: WASHINGTON, June 22, 2023 - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement today regarding the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s announcement that India will remove retaliatory tariffs on certain agriculture products, restoring and expanding significant market opportunities for U.S. farmers:


13 notices published in week ending June 10 by Agriculture Department

There were 13 notices published by the Agriculture Department in week ending June 10, according to the Federal Register.


Public Notice Announcing Scoping Meetings for St. Mary Canal Modernization Project

The Milk River Joint Board of Control (MRJBOC), in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)


Second application batching period now open for FY23 CSP

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Washington announced July 23, 2023, as the 2nd application batching period for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Classic and IRA for Fiscal Year 2023.


USDA Hiring Engineers, Natural Resource Specialists Nationwide to Strengthen Inflation Reduction Act Implementation, Enhance Agricultural Conservation

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is ramping up hiring for key positions that will help strengthen agricultural conservation efforts and turn President Biden’s Investing in America agenda into action.


FACT SHEET: USDA Support for Food Banks and the Emergency Food System

Emergency food providers are vital partners in USDA’s efforts to promote food and nutrition security.


USDA Provides Significant Support for American Producers, School Meal Providers and Emergency Food Operations

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the Biden-Harris Administration is providing $2.7 billion to support American farmers, students who participate in school meal programs, and emergency food operations.


Cultivating Health, Nutrition & Innovation in the Land of Enchantment

Cindy Long, Administrator, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), and regional FNS leadership visited New Mexico last month to recognize several FNS nutrition assistance programs in action and learn how FNS can support their work.


Varroa Mites and Deformed Wing Virus Make Honeybees More Susceptible to Insecticides

Controlling for Varroa mites, the parasitic mites that feed on honey bees and serve as vectors for viral diseases like deformed wing virus (DWV)


USDA Announces Inaugural “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals Program”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a $262.5 million investment in institutions of higher education to foster the next generation of diverse agricultural professionals across the nation.


NIFA Invests $7.5 Million to Safeguard Animal Welfare (A1251)

The Welfare of Agricultural Animals program area priority within the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s Foundational and Applied Science program supports projects that evaluate current production practices; reduce transportation and thermal stress;


NIFA Invests $9.6 Million to Support Innovation in Animal Systems (A1261)

The Inter-Disciplinary Engagement in Animal Systems (IDEAS) program area priority within the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative seeks to bridge traditional disciplinary divides and address complex issues in animal agriculture (including aquaculture).


NIFA Invests $7.3 Million to Increase Food and Agriculture Educational Workforce (A7501)

The Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy program area in the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s Education and Workforce Development program seeks to increase the number of K-14 educational professionals trained in the food and agricultural sciences.


USDA NIFA Invests in Positive Youth Development

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)


USDA Files Action Against American Fruit & Produce Corp. in Florida for Alleged PACA Violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against American Fruit & Produce Corp.


California Firm Posts $100,000 Employment Bond

Westlake Distributors LLC, operating out of Downey, Calif., has posted a $100,000 surety bond to employ Christopher Martin, as required by the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).


USDA Issues Final Rule regarding Preserving Trust Benefits Under the Packers and Stockyards Act

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a notice in the Federal Register on June 23, 2023, implementing revisions to regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act (Act).