Latest News


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.


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 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.



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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


United States Standards for Beans discussed on June 14 by Agriculture Department

The US Agriculture Department published a two page notice on June 14, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


Biden-Harris Administration Outlines Strategic Priorities to Support Communities Impacted by Wildfires Across the Nation

News Release: WASHINGTON, June 14, 2023 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today issued a joint memo to federal agency leaders with wildfire responsibilities outlining their vision and goals for managing wildland fires this year.


USDA-FAS offers new grant application process starting June 15

FY 2023 Cochran Fellowship Program - MSI grant opened on June 15.


USDA Launches Effort to Strengthen Substantiation of Animal-Raising Claims

News 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 Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy.


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request discussed on June 14 by Agriculture Department

The US Agriculture Department published a one page notice on June 14, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


Agriculture Department discusses Submission for OMB Review; Reinstatement Comment Request on June 14

The US Agriculture Department published a one page notice on June 14, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


USDA Seeks Comments on Increasing Land Access Programmatic Environmental Assessment

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the availability of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program.


Public press releases or notices: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service publishes nine in May

There were nine press releases or notices published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service in May.


USDA Announces Corrections to Emergency Relief Program Policy to More Accurately Reflect 2020 and 2021 Natural Disaster Impacts on Crops Intended for On-Farm Use

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two to provide a method for valuing losses and accessing program benefits to eligible producers of certain crops, including grapes grown and used by the same producer for wine production or forage...