News from 2023


Feds Feed Families During Hunger Action Month

Release: By Stacy Dean, USDA's Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.


Spring into Action for Hunger Action Month

Release: By Andrea B. Simao, 2023 Feds Feed Families National Chair.


Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Intent to Nominate Basil Gooden, Ph.D. to Serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development

News Release: WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2023 - Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered the following statement following President Biden’s nomination of Dr. Basil Gooden as Under Secretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).


Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Staff Transitions

News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced that Eyang Garrison will become the new Majority Staff Director. Erica Chabot, currently serving as Staff Director, will transition off Capitol Hill later this month. The Committee also anticipates an announcement about senior staff support in the coming days.


USDA Announces Milk Loss Assistance for Dairy Operations Impacted by 2020, 2021 and 2022 Disaster Events

News Release: Washington -The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced Milk Loss Program (MLP) assistance for eligible dairy operations for milk that was dumped or removed, without compensation, from the commercial milk market due to qualifying weather events and the consequences of those weather events...


Farm Bill 101: New Farmers and Ranchers

News Release: New Farmers and Ranchers: * The Farm Bill invests in the future of agriculture by cultivating and supporting the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and agriculture professionals. * According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, there are more than 516,000 farms run by new and beginning farmers ...


Stabenow Fights to Restore Funding for Urban Agriculture

News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, today filed an amendment to restore $8.5 million in funding for the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production to the Senate’s Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill.


USDA Commemorates 100 Years of Contributions to the Grape Industry

News Release: PARLIER, Calif., Sept. 12, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center (SJVASC) today celebrated 100 years of cooperative research with the grape industry that has positively impacted the way the world grows, cultivates and consumes grapes.