Stories by USDA Newswire on Federal Newswire

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a complaint and notice of hearing on Dec. 28, 2020, against Murray Bresky Consultants LTD, doing business as Murray’s Chicken (Murray’s) of South Fallsburg, N.Y., for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

USDA Encourages the Public to Protect Plants Against Invasive Pests in April

Release: Washington -The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared April 2021 as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month (IPPDAM). The national outreach initiative enlists the public in the fight against invasive pests. These damaging invaders threaten our nation’s food crops, forests ...

USDA Lifts PACA Reparation Sanctions on Maryland Produce Business

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Los Fuertes Produce LLC, satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $37,322 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

USDA Issues a Packers and Stockyards Complaint Against Trampas Jordan for Packers and Stockyards Act Violations

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a complaint against Trampas Jordan (Jordan) of Buffalo, Texas, on March 2, 2021, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

USDA Lifts PACA Reparation Sanctions on Arizona Produce Business

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that SCC International Inc. satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $7,504 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

USDA Reaches a Consent Decision against Michelle L. Harnish dba Wyalusing Livestock Market and Auction for Packers and Stockyards Act Violations

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reached a consent decision on Jan. 15, 2021, against Michelle L. Harnish, d.b.a. Wyalusing Livestock Market and Auction (Ms. Harnish) of Rome, Pa., for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

USDA Increases Emergency SNAP Benefits for 25 million Americans; Ensures COVID-19 Relief Reaches Those Struggling the Most

News Release: WASHINGTON, April 1, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today took action to provide $1 billion per month in additional food assistance to an estimated 25 million people in very low-income households that are participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and struggling to put food on the table due to the pandemic.

USDA Seeks Public Input to Help Create a New Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program

News Release: Agency to Host Public Listening Session on April 22, 2021 WASHINGTON, April 1, 2021 — Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is requesting public input from interested parties, including potential customers and interested stakeholders, to help create a new Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program. To ensure a diverse group of voices are heard, USDA is seeking written comments and will host a public listening session on April 22, 2021.

USDA Increases Emergency SNAP Benefits for 25 million Americans

Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today took action to provide $1 billion per month in additional food assistance to an estimated 25 million people in very low-income households that are participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and struggling to put food on the table due to the pandemic.

USDA Announces April 2021 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced loan interest rates for April 2021, which are effective April 1. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs.

USDA Seeks Public Input to Help Create a New Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program

News Release: Washington - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is requesting public input from interested parties, including potential customers and interested stakeholders, to help create a new Rural Renewable Energy Pilot Program. To ensure a diverse group of voices are heard, USDA is seeking written comments and will host a public listening session on April 22, 2021.

FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic

News Release: USDA Has Deployed 749 Disaster, Public Health Specialists to Assist with Federal Response WASHINGTON, Mar. 31, 2021 — In January 2021, President Biden released the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. The plan is driven by science, data, and public health to improve the effectiveness of our nation’s fight against COVID-19 and to restore trust, accountability and a sense of common purpose in our response to the pandemic.

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the President’s American Jobs Plan

News Release: WASHINGTON, March 31, 2021 — Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding the release of the American Jobs Plan today by President Biden and the White House.

April 5, 2021 - BRS Permit Applicants Required to Use APHIS eFile

Release: On April 5, 2021, all applicants for permits from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) will be required to apply using APHIS eFile. We encourage you to create your APHIS eFile account today to apply for BRS permits at

FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic