News and reports from the Department of Agriculture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the signing of a formal agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to renew their Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste (FIFLAW). The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also joined the collaboration to help reduce food loss and waste internationally.

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of several individuals to senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input on protocols for a new Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, the main initiative under the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The information will be collected through a Request for Information and will inform a proposed rule to establish the program.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has conducted tests on beef tissue from 96 cull dairy cows condemned at select FSIS-inspected facilities. On May 22, 2024, viral particles were detected in tissue samples, including muscle, from one cow. To date, samples from 95 cows have tested negative for viral particles. No meat from these dairy cattle entered the food supply.

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2024 -- Since the detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in March, the USDA has worked to assess the prevalence of the virus in U.S. dairy herds and to use scientific data to contain the disease. On May 10, USDA announced several financial assistance options for producers with affected herds.

On May 23, 2024, in Casco, Wisconsin, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new investment in domestic fertilizer projects aimed at strengthening competition for American farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. This initiative is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda designed to stimulate economic growth from the middle out and bottom up.

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, marking the start of summer, outdoor meals become more frequent. To help prevent foodborne illnesses during these activities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued several food safety tips.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income Oklahoma residents recovering from severe storms and tornadoes beginning April 25, 2024, could be eligible for assistance through the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $300 million to 66 U.S. organizations under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). This initiative aims to build demand for American food and farm exports in high-potential markets globally.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on May 17, 2024, an investment of $30.8 million to bolster research and extension capacity across all 19 of America’s designated 1890 historically black Land-grant Universities. The funding is part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program, aimed at supporting scientific research addressing some of the nation's most challenging agricultural issues.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Turn Around Columbus, a nonprofit organization in Columbus, Georgia, on May 17, 2024. The organization is committed to investing in youth development and creating opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs, farmers, and community leaders. During his visit, Secretary Vilsack emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration's dedication to developing new markets, generating revenue, and supporting agriculture both in Georgia and across the nation.

On May 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 10 members to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. The appointees include seven new members and three re-appointments, representing a diverse mix of university, non-profit, and industry representatives.

ALBANY, GA, May 16, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack attended the Regional Equity Convening for the Southeastern Region at the Sherrod Institute’s annual Farm Field Day in Albany, Georgia. The event highlighted opportunities to advance equity in agricultural and rural communities. Regional leaders and local stakeholders from across the Southeast were invited to learn about the recommendations put forward in the Equity Commission Final Report and to hear from USDA leadership on their efforts to advance equity through various initiatives.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a series of initiatives designed to bolster the organic sector, including new programs, partnerships, grant awards and an additional $10 million in funding. These measures aim to expand markets for organic products and assist producers in transitioning to organic production.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on May 14, 2024, that the USDA is funding 47 projects in 23 states to improve access to reliable electricity and clean drinking water for over one million people. This initiative is also expected to create numerous jobs across the nation. The announcement was made during President Biden's Infrastructure Week, which showcases the progress made by the Biden-Harris Administration in enhancing American infrastructure through historic funding packages such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation...