News from 2023
USDA Opens Full-Time, Entry-Level Soil Conservationist Positions in Illinois
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is quickly ramping up hiring of new team members to help implement $19.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for conservation programs.
Hub helps host urban Earth Day workshop
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The NRCS Dallas Urban Team, Dallas AgriLife Extension, and Southern Plains Climate Hub partnered to host a first of three-part series Urban Ag Workshop which was kicked off on Earth Day.
NRCS Delaware Announces Signup to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic as Part of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced details around its $75 million investment in conservation assistance for producers transitioning to organic production.
NRCS, Conservation Districts Promote Soil Health at Fort Adams May 13-22 for Ocean Race-Newport Stopover
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
Join us Saturdays and Sundays over the next two weeks to learn about soil health!
NRCS California Assists California Farmers Transition to Organic Production
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is making federal funding available to assist California’s agricultural producers transition to organic production.
NRCS Oregon Announces Funding Available for Organic Transition Initiative
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon announces funding available for the Organic Transition Initiative.
Minnesota NRCS announces the EQIP- OTI sign up to assist producers Transitioning to Organic as part of the USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The Fiscal Year 2023 Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) provides funding to support producers transitioning to organic production by providing financial assistance and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that support organic production.
USDA Invests $17 Million in Partnerships to Restore Wetlands, Support Underserved Producers
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $17 million in five Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) projects, bringing together partners and landowners in a joint effort to return critical wetland functions to agricultural landscapes.
Apply for USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative in Montana
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Organic Transition Initiative.
USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Tennessee Disaster Areas
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income Tennessee residents in 10 counties (Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton, and Wayne) recovering from tornadoes and severe storms that began on March 31, 2023, could be eligible for a helping hand from the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Oklahoma Disaster Areas
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income Oklahoma residents in two counties (McClain and Pottawatomie) recovering from tornadoes and severe storms that began on April 19, 2023, could be eligible for a helping hand from the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
Farm to School and Child Nutrition Programming Model in Rialto, California
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
One of my favorite activities is to see FNS programs in action.
New Research Reveals How Grazing Management Practices Affect Cattle Weight Gain by Altering Foraging Behavior
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
Ranchers often rotate cattle seasonally among different pastures on their operations but may allow cattle to graze season-long in a single pasture.
USDA's Research Chemist Named Finalist in The Science, Technology and Environment Category For Samuel J. Heyman Service To America Medal
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
Vincent Edwards, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist, is being honored today as a finalist in the Science, Technology and Environment category for 2023 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal for his innovative work in developing effective new cotton-based medical gauze and dressings for trauma and chronic wound patients that are now in use by hospitals and first responders.
USDA-ARS Research Entomologist Named Finalist in the Samuel J. Heyman Service To America Medal
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris, a research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, is being honored today as a finalist for a 2023 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (the Sammies) as an Emerging Leader for her pioneering work designing ways to use insects as biological controls for other bugs that damage crops, especially apples and pears, which limits the need for some pesticides, cutting costs for farmers and protecting the environment.
Scientists Use Gene-Editing Technology to Produce First Calf Resistant to Major Viral Disease
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
Scientists have collaborated to produce the first gene-edited calf with resistance to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a virus that costs the U.S. cattle sector billions of dollars annually.
The Impact of Recent Trade Agreements on Japan’s Pork Market
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
Between 2018 and 2021, Japan ratified trade agreements that will virtually eliminate its pork import barriers by 2028.
The Prevalence of the “Natural” Claim on Food Product Packaging
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
U.S. food suppliers make claims about their production processes on food packaging that highlight attributes some consumers want while charging a higher price than for unlabeled products.
NIFA Invests Over $13M in Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation Program
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The AFRI Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation Program promotes innovative work in cellular, molecular, genomic and whole-animal aspects of nutrition, growth and lactation.
NIFA Invests $9M in Extension, Education and USDA Climate Hubs Partnership
By USDA Newswire Report | May 14, 2023
The A1721 Extension, Education and USDA Climate Hubs Partnership program area priority within AFRI’s Foundational and Applied Science Program supports projects that provide effective, translatable and scalable approaches to address climate change through regional partnerships including the USDA Climate Hubs and Extension (e.g., the Cooperative Extension Service).