Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack hosted a national media Tuesday call to discuss the Obama administration’s 2017 budget request for USDA programs. “Over the past seven years, USDA has made strides in improving the health of our nation’s children, enrolled a record number of privately-owned acres in conservation programs, bolstered the economies and infrastructure of small rural towns, and more,” said …
USDA Pledges $9M Towards Wetlands
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, create, or enhance wetland ecosystems, broadening the conservation options available to farmers and …
Deputy Secretary Harden to Leave USDA
USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced plans to depart the agency at the end of next month. “Today is bittersweet for me as I announce my decision to step down as Deputy Secretary at the end of February,” said Harden in a statement. “I am proud of what our Department has accomplished since 2009 to bring economic opportunity that …
Bio-Oil Produced Right on the Farm
Soon farmers will be able to produce bio-oil right on their farm. The renewable fuel can be produced from agricultural and food waste using a new mobile unit. The goal of USDA project is to be able to distill this bio-oil in existing petroleum refineries. The research team, headed by Agricultural Research Services (ARS) chemical engineer Akwasi Boateng with the …
Chile & Peru Slated for Stops on USDA Trade Mission
Two South American countries have been slated for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission. This news release from the agency says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead a trade mission March 14-18 to expand export opportunities for U.S. agriculture in Chile and Peru. “Thanks to existing free trade agreements, the United States enjoys strong trading relationships with both …
Vilsack: Farmer Greatest Job on Earth
Being a farmer is the greatest job on earth noted USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. He spent the morning back in his home state of Iowa (Vilsack is a former Iowa Governor) to kick off the 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. He kicked off his speech noting that he is proud of the work the USDA has done to help …
Ag Secy Vilsack Talks SOTU, Trade & Climate
USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack held a press call yesterday to discuss President Obama’s last State of the Union (SOTU) address. Vilsack, who has served in the capacity of Ag Secretary throughout Obama’s Administration, was in attendance during the speech. He said he is very proud to have been part of an administration that has basically taken the country from …
USDA Outlook Forum Panel Announced
USDA has announced the members of the 92nd annual Agricultural Outlook Forum Plenary Panel on “Providing Leadership for Present and Future Generations in the Transformation of Agriculture.” This year’s panelists include Elizabeth Garrett, President of Cornell University; Ilene Gordon, CEO of Ingredion; Pamela Hess, Executive Director of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture; and Pam Johnson, an Iowa …
#AFBF16 Town Hall with Secretary Vilsack
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman at the 97th AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show Sunday for their second town hall style meeting, taking questions from members on a variety of topics. In his opening remarks Vilsack thanked Farm Bureau members for their help in securing the 2014 farm bill and passing trade …
HHS & USDA Announce 2015 Dietary Guidelines
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released updated nutritional guidelines that encourage Americans to adopt a series of science-based recommendations to improve how they eat to reduce obesity and prevent chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is the nation’s trusted resource for …