News from June 2023


USDA Partners with States to Expand Reach, Bolster Resiliency of Emergency Food System

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service recently awarded more than $58.5 million in grants to 40 state agencies to improve the reach of The Emergency Food Assistance Program, known as TEFAP, in remote, rural, tribal, and/or low-income areas.


Secretary Vilsack Visits Michigan to Highlight Biden-Harris Administration Efforts to Expand Market Access for Producers and Healthy Meal Options for Children as part of Investing in America Agenda

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today visited Michigan to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to build more, new, and better markets for producers and ensure children have access to healthy and nutritious meals during the summer months as part of the Investing in America agenda.


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

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.


Completing Genome of Rusty Patched Bumble Bee May Offer New Approach to Saving Endangered Bee

A detailed, high-resolution map of the rusty patched bumble bee's genome has been released by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) scientists, offering approaches for bringing the native pollinator back from the danger of extinction.


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)


Old Bulls Bring New Genetic Benefits To Light

Animal genetics plays a crucial role in modern agriculture, enhancing food sustainability, and animal adaptation to a changing climate.


Science and Engineering for a Biobased Industry and Economy

This article was originally published by the Multistate Research Fund Impacts Program. It is reprinted here with permission.


NIFA Invests $9 Million to Improve Soil Health (A1401)

Healthy soils function as a living system and sustain plant and animal productivity while maintaining or enhancing water and air quality and promoting plant, animal and human health.


State of Success: National Alaska Day

Alaska’s Agricultural and Forestry Experiment stations date to territorial times when Charles Christian Georgeson arrived to explore Alaska’s agricultural potential.


Secretary Vilsack Visits Michigan to Highlight Biden-Harris Administration Efforts to Expand Market Access for Producers and Healthy Meal Options for Children as part of Investing in America Agenda

Release: Michigan, June 27, 2023 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today visited Michigan to highlight the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to build more, new, and better markets for producers and ensure children have access to healthy and nutritious meals during the summer months as part of the Investing in America agenda.


USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Ellison Brothers Inc., dba Franklin County Livestock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Franklin County Livestock (FCL)


USDA Settles Packers and Stockyards Act Case with Kiran Enterprises Inc. and Mohammed S. Malik

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reached a consent decision with Kiran Enterprises Inc. (Kiran)


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. (American) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).


Opening Statement: "Closing The Digital Divide In Rural America"

Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, delivered the following opening remarks at today's full committee hearing entitled, "Closing the Digital Divide in Rural America."


Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Scott Announce Bipartisan Working Group Tackling Agriculture Workforce Challenges

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Ranking Member David Scott (GA-13)


Thompson And Mchenry Release Digital Asset Market Structure Proposal

Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, and Patrick McHenry (NC-10)


Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Scott Announce Bipartisan Working Group Tackling Agriculture Workforce Challenges

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Ranking Member David Scott (GA-13)


Statement of Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) on EPA New Renewable Fuel Standard Final Rule

Chairwoman Stabenow released the following statement on the Biden Administration’s biofuels announcement:


Leader McConnell, Ranking Member Boozman Discuss Agriculture Priorities in Kentucky

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, hosted the Committee’s Ranking Member, U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR)


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).