U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Cabinet-Level Federal Department
Recent News About U.S. Department of Agriculture
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The Biden-Harris Administration announced a $140 million investment for clean energy projects in rural Nevada and Kentucky. This initiative aims to reduce power bills, enhance access to clean energy, and create jobs for rural families, small businesses, and agricultural producers.
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BOONE, IA, Aug. 28, 2024 – At the annual Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is partnering with American business owners to expand innovative domestic fertilizer production. This initiative aims to create jobs in rural communities and strengthen local economies. The Department is awarding $35 million for seven projects across seven states through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation. The program provides grants to independent business...
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the release of an updated guideline to strengthen documentation supporting animal-raising and environment-related claims on meat and poultry product labels. This initiative aims to enhance consumer protection against false and misleading labels, aligning with President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy.
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WASHINGTON, DC, August 16, 2024 – Two years ago, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, marking the largest investment in climate action and clean energy in history. This law is central to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda and aims to lower energy costs, create new income streams, and address the climate crisis. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has received significant resources through this act to better serve communities nationwide.
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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Aug. 16, 2024 – On the second anniversary of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for 160 projects in 26 states aimed at expanding access to clean energy systems and increasing the availability of domestic biofuels. These initiatives are expected to create new market opportunities and jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers.
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WASHINGTON, August 14, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 20 new members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. This committee is part of USDA’s support for equitable access to its services and programs, aiming to create more market opportunities for local and regional production.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its intention to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council, informally known as the Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council. The USDA is currently seeking nominations for membership on this new council, as stated in a Federal Register notice published today.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on August 1 that it will invest $400 million in collaboration with at least 18 irrigation districts to assist farmers in continuing commodity production while conserving water across the Western United States. The funding aims to conserve up to 50,000 acre-feet of water across 250,000 acres of irrigated land and create new sustainable market opportunities.
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On August 8, 2024, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the advancement of a new clean energy project under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. SE Municipal Solar LLC in Nebraska has been selected to receive nearly $30 million to construct eight solar photovoltaic generation facilities with a total capacity of 18.72 megawatts. These facilities are expected to generate enough electricity to power over 1,700 residential homes across Alliance, Gering, Sidney, Imperial, Ansley, Pender, Crete, and Stuart in Nebraska.
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers, and residents affected by Hurricane Debby, which continues its track up the East Coast. USDA staff across the country are prepared to respond with various program flexibilities and other assistance to producers and communities in need.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced changes to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs, effective September 25, 2024. These updates aim to increase financial viability for farmers and ranchers as part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule. The modifications are intended to improve farm profitability by providing essential financing options for operating expenses, land purchases, and equipment.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has announced a $25 million funding opportunity through the hazardous fuels transportation assistance program. The initiative aims to reduce wildfire risk, expand market opportunities, and support local employment. This program targets local businesses and partners engaged in removing hazardous fuels from national forests and transporting the material for processing into wood products or services.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make an additional $300 million available through the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to help grow export markets for American farm and food products globally, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced today.
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On August 1, 2024, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $400 million with at least 18 irrigation districts to help farmers continue commodity production while conserving water across the Western United States. This funding aims to support irrigation districts and producers in using innovative water-saving technologies and farming practices amid ongoing drought conditions.
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the appointment or reappointment of 55 members to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees.
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On Wednesday, July 31, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the issuance of payments to eligible applicants under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP). This move was widely praised by leaders across the country as a significant step in advancing President Biden’s Executive Order on promoting equity in federal government programs.
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The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the issuance of payments to eligible applicants under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP). The program aims to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination before January 2021.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced several key staff appointments and promotions in Washington, D.C.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a comprehensive proposed rule aimed at reducing Salmonella contamination in raw poultry products. This initiative is the result of FSIS' three-year effort to reevaluate their strategy for controlling Salmonella rates in poultry, with the goal of protecting American consumers from foodborne illnesses linked to poultry consumption.
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Brunswick, Maine, July 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced from the Brunswick Farmers Market today that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program. Today, USDA is investing $163 million in loans, grants, and technical assistance that will support 338 clean energy projects in 39 states and Guam. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s...