News and reports from the Department of Agriculture.

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.

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...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income New Mexico residents in parts of Rio Arriba and San Juan counties recovering from the impact of wildfires and flooding that began on June 17, 2024, could be eligible for assistance through the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the awarding of 91 scholarships through the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program. This initiative is part of the Department's efforts to cultivate a diverse future workforce in food and agriculture sectors. The program, administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), collaborates with 19 historically Black land-grant universities established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890.

ORONO, Maine, July 25, 2024 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is allocating $190 million to assist private forest landowners in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change while retaining working forestlands.

WASHINGTON, July 23, 2024 — The Biden-Harris administration announced today additional measures to protect western communities from increasingly severe wildfires by enhancing early detection capabilities through satellite technology. The Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Forest Service have entered into an agreement with the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to utilize data from NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite — R series (GOES-R) for rapid wildfire detection and...

Parents and caregivers will soon begin the routine of preparing and packing school lunches for their children. They play a crucial role in safeguarding their children’s health by ensuring these lunches are safe from foodborne illness and allergens for those with food allergies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service encourages following food safety tips and being allergen aware for a wholesome, worry-free return to the classroom.

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued a statement highlighting President Biden's leadership and its impact on the nation.

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a $90 million investment in 53 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) projects aimed at developing new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. This year's funding increase is attributed to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which specifically supports projects addressing climate change with a focus on reducing livestock emissions of enteric methane.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the names of individuals who hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is awarding $14.3 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants to 154 projects across 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. This investment aims to help 1.9 million children access nutritious foods in school while supporting local farmers and producers.

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the Biden-Harris Administration is making investments to strengthen American food supply chains, increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, create new markets for producers, and lower food costs.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the allocation of $4.5 million to establish three additional USDA Nutrition Hubs across the country. These new hubs aim to advance food and nutrition security and help prevent diet-related chronic diseases, particularly in historically underserved communities.

The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service has awarded $10 million in grants through its partners, Full Plates Full Potential and the Illinois Public Health Institute, as part of the $100 million Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative (HMI). This initiative aims to empower schools to serve nutritious meals that support student growth and development.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a $100 million investment in grants to support states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories in implementing SUN Bucks, a new permanent program aimed at assisting families in purchasing groceries for their children during the summer months. SUN Bucks, also referred to as Summer EBT, is part of USDA’s broader Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids (SUN Programs), which seek to reduce costs for families and enhance food and nutrition security when school meals are unavailable.