U.S. Department of Agriculture

08/27/2021

USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers, and Communities Affected by Recent Flooding in Tennessee

If you were recently affected by the flooding in Tennessee, you may be eligible for a variety of USDA program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers and impacted communities

WASHINGTON, August 27, 2021 - To help residents, farmers, and ranchers affected by the recent flooding in Tennessee, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts. USDA staff in the regional, state, and county offices are responding....

08/27/2021

New Wellness Center Leads Health Transformation in Rural Washington County

Inspiring story about Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma, Washington, which was able to build a $32 million wellness center thanks to USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program. USDA has made $500 million in CF funding available for projects like this!

In Washington State, Summit Pacific Medical Center utilized USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program for funding to build a new $32 million well...

08/26/2021

Women's Impact on Agriculture

On Women's Equality Day, we celebrate the progress made toward women's equality and recognize the achievements and contributions women have made, especially in agriculture

08/25/2021

USDA Statement on the Affordable Housing Crisis

As the nation continues to grapple with an affordable housing crisis worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to supporting our tenants and owners

WASHINGTON, August 25, 2021 — As the nation continues to grapple with an affordable housing crisis worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, USDA is committed to supporting our tenants and owners. In addition to previous actions taken by the Biden Administration, USDA will now offer:

08/24/2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture updated the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for contract producers of certain livestock and poultry and for producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. USDA has also announced an Oct. 12th deadline to apply for or modify applications for CFAP 2. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xFMrK

08/20/2021

Tropical Storm Henri may cause massive power outages for an extended time. Be sure to take precautions to protect the safety of your food 👉 https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/emergencies/consumers-guide-food-safety-severe

08/19/2021

USDA Announces Improvements to the Dairy Safety Net and New Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program

Our new Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program will provide about $350 million in pandemic assistance payments to dairy farmers who received a lower value for their products due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic. The assistance is part of a larger package including permanent improvements to the Dairy Margin Coverage safety net program

Burlington, VT, Aug. 19, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the details of the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program as part of meetings with farmers and a tour of farms with Senator Leahy. In June, Secretary Vilsack committed to providing additional pandemic ...

08/17/2021

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the implementation of President Biden’s pay initiatives to recognize and support federal wildland firefighters. The initiatives will increase the amount paid to approximately 3,500 firefighters with the U.S. Department of the Interior and more than 11,300 firefighters at the U.S. Forest Service to ensure all firefighters are paid at least $15 an hour.

Details: https://go.usa.gov/xFwGp

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the implementation of President Biden’s pay initiatives to recognize and support federal wildland firefighters. The initiatives will increase the amount paid to approximately 3,500 firefighters with the U.S. Department of the Interior and more than 11,300 firefighters at the U.S. Forest Service to ensure all firefighters are paid at least $15 an hour.

Details: https://go.usa.gov/xFwGp

08/16/2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief – will increase for Fiscal Year 2022 beginning on Oct. 1, 2021. https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0179.21

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief – will increase for Fiscal Year 2022 beginning on Oct. 1, 2021. https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0179.21

08/11/2021

La Peste Porcina Africana (PPA) no es una amenaza para la salud humana, pero es una enfermedad porcina mortal que se propaga por todo el mundo. La PPA se confirmó recientemente en la República Dominicana y el USDA continúa tomando medidas para mantener a los EE. UU. libres de la PPA. Aprenda más información sobre la PPA y lo que puede hacer aquí:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fsc-asf-es.pdf

La Peste Porcina Africana (PPA) no es una amenaza para la salud humana, pero es una enfermedad porcina mortal que se propaga por todo el mundo. La PPA se confirmó recientemente en la República Dominicana y el USDA continúa tomando medidas para mantener a los EE. UU. libres de la PPA. Aprenda más información sobre la PPA y lo que puede hacer aquí:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fsc-asf-es.pdf

08/11/2021

African swine fever (ASF) is not a threat to human health, but it is a deadly swine disease spreading across the world. ASF was recently confirmed in the Dominican Republic, and the USDA continues to take steps to keep the U.S. free of ASF. Learn more about ASF and what you can do here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/swine-disease-information/african-swine-fever/

African swine fever (ASF) is not a threat to human health, but it is a deadly swine disease spreading across the world. ASF was recently confirmed in the Dominican Republic, and the USDA continues to take steps to keep the U.S. free of ASF. Learn more about ASF and what you can do here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/swine-disease-information/african-swine-fever/

08/11/2021

08/10/2021

You Spoke, We Listened: The Challenges of Purchasing Healthy Food with SNAP Benefits

As directed by Congress in 2018, USDA is re-evaluating the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP)—the estimated cost of an affordable, nutritious diet. The TFP is used to calculate SNAP benefit levels. To complement the re-evaluation efforts and gather insights from those who will be impacted by the result, USDA recently hosted 5 listening sessions with SNAP participants, researchers, advocates, and others. Here’s some of what we heard 👇

As directed by Congress in 2018, USDA is re-evaluating the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP)—the estimated cost of an affordable, nutritious diet. The TFP is used to calculate SNAP benefit levels. To complement the re-evaluation efforts and gather insights from those who will be impacted by the result, USDA...

08/06/2021

We're hiring! USDA Rural Development is looking for two people ready to help make rural America a better place to work and live. Two new job opportunities in Illinois:

🔹 Loan Assistant: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/609177300
🔹 Loan Specialist (Commercial): https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/609195400

We're hiring! USDA Rural Development is looking for two people ready to help make rural America a better place to work and live. Two new job opportunities in Illinois:

🔹 Loan Assistant: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/609177300
🔹 Loan Specialist (Commercial): https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/609195400

08/05/2021

USDA Food and Nutrition Service programs support rural economies and help families in need by working with farmers and producers at farmers markets! SNAP participants spent nearly $33 million at more than 4,700 farmers markets and direct marketing farmers in 2020. The WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs increase access to fresh local fruits and vegetables while providing nutrition education to participants. Want to help farmers and producers near you tap into this important source of income? Visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/farmer-producer to learn how to accept SNAP EBT and https://www.fns.usda.gov/contacts?f[0]=program%3A30 to find out if your state is one of the 49 that uses the WIC and Senior Farmers Market Program!

USDA Food and Nutrition Service programs support rural economies and help families in need by working with farmers and producers at farmers markets! SNAP participants spent nearly $33 million at more than 4,700 farmers markets and direct marketing farmers in 2020. The WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs increase access to fresh local fruits and vegetables while providing nutrition education to participants. Want to help farmers and producers near you tap into this important source of income? Visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/farmer-producer to learn how to accept SNAP EBT and https://www.fns.usda.gov/contacts?f[0]=program%3A30 to find out if your state is one of the 49 that uses the WIC and Senior Farmers Market Program!

08/04/2021

This week is Farmers Market Week and USDA is celebrating by recognizing the ways local farmers and producers support nutrition security by accepting SNAP and WIC! Not only do farmers markets provide delicious, fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods, they offer an ideal location to maximize the value of benefits by partnering with Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grantees. Learn about how GusNIP brings together farmers markets, SNAP, and P-EBT at https://www.fns.usda.gov/blog/celebrating-national-farmers-market-week

This week is Farmers Market Week and USDA is celebrating by recognizing the ways local farmers and producers support nutrition security by accepting SNAP and WIC! Not only do farmers markets provide delicious, fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods, they offer an ideal location to maximize the value of benefits by partnering with Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grantees. Learn about how GusNIP brings together farmers markets, SNAP, and P-EBT at https://www.fns.usda.gov/blog/celebrating-national-farmers-market-week

08/04/2021

This week we celebrate National WIC Breastfeeding Week! The WIC program aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care. Learn more about the benefits of WIC and breastfeeding here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-breastfeeding-support

This week we celebrate National WIC Breastfeeding Week! The WIC program aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care. Learn more about the benefits of WIC and breastfeeding here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-breastfeeding-support

08/03/2021

Feds pledge $15 million toward drought relief for Klamath Basin growers

We are investing $25 million to assist agricultural producers impacted by worsening drought conditions, including relief to impacted California and Oregon farmers who are unable to plant this season due to lack of water. https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Feds-pledge-15-million-toward-drought-relief-for-Klamath-Basin-growers-575002451.html

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that it has freed up $15 million to pay toward farmers who agree to reduce their irrigation demand, letting the limited water supply go to other needs.

08/02/2021

Happy National Farmers Market Week! There are more than 8,000 farmers markets across the country that play an important role in local food economy, regional food development and American agriculture. Be sure to stop by your local farmers market this week!

Happy National Farmers Market Week! There are more than 8,000 farmers markets across the country that play an important role in local food economy, regional food development and American agriculture. Be sure to stop by your local farmers market this week!

07/30/2021

07/29/2021

"Many Black farmers and other groups who have experienced historic discrimination have inherited heirs’ property. USDA is committed to revising policies to be more equitable and examining barriers faced by heirs’ property owners is part of that effort," Secretary Vilsack https://thefern.org/ag_insider/usda-puts-67-million-to-new-program-for-heirs-property-owners/

"Many Black farmers and other groups who have experienced historic discrimination have inherited heirs’ property. USDA is committed to revising policies to be more equitable and examining barriers faced by heirs’ property owners is part of that effort," Secretary Vilsack https://thefern.org/ag_insider/usda-puts-67-million-to-new-program-for-heirs-property-owners/

07/27/2021

USDA launches its first ever Alexa skill, a digital tool for parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers ages 4 – 24 months. Learn how this new MyPlate skill can provide nutritional tips for your child’s diet. https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0162.21

USDA launches its first ever Alexa skill, a digital tool for parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers ages 4 – 24 months. Learn how this new MyPlate skill can provide nutritional tips for your child’s diet. https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0162.21

07/22/2021

How the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Demonstrate the Importance of Ag Trade

Just in time for the Tokyo Olympics, USDA Acting Deputy Under Secretary Jason Hafemeister explains how the 2020 Olympics demonstrate the importance of ag trade!

Beginning July 23, all eyes will be on Japan as it hosts the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. For me, this summer’s Olympics is the perfect blend of things that I’m passionate about – there’s cycling, there’s an international governing body that oversees the games, and there’s fe...

07/20/2021

Timber harvesters and haulers who experienced losses due to COVID-19 can apply for assistance through USDA's Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers program (PATHH). Farm Service Agency will take applications from July 22 - Oct. 15, 2021. Details: https://go.usa.gov/xFYpM

Timber harvesters and haulers who experienced losses due to COVID-19 can apply for assistance through USDA's Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers program (PATHH). Farm Service Agency will take applications from July 22 - Oct. 15, 2021. Details: https://go.usa.gov/xFYpM

07/18/2021

America's Top 10 Favorite Ice Cream Flavors

Happy National Ice Cream Day! According to International Dairy Foods Association, these are America’s favorite 🍦 flavors!

07/15/2021

USDA awarded the largest number of Farm to School Grants in history, totaling more than $12 million. These grants will serve more than 1.4 million students in over 6,800 schools across the country. For the first time, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program operators joined schools, state agencies, non-profits, Tribal nations, and agricultural producers and groups in receiving funding.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0158.21

USDA awarded the largest number of Farm to School Grants in history, totaling more than $12 million. These grants will serve more than 1.4 million students in over 6,800 schools across the country. For the first time, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program operators joined schools, state agencies, non-profits, Tribal nations, and agricultural producers and groups in receiving funding.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0158.21

07/15/2021

As a key part of Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy, USDA will end large-scale old growth timber sales on the U.S. Forest Service - Tongass National Forest and focus management resources to support forest restoration, recreation and resilience, including for climate, wildlife habit and watershed improvement. Details: https://go.usa.gov/xFcny

As a key part of Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy, USDA will end large-scale old growth timber sales on the U.S. Forest Service - Tongass National Forest and focus management resources to support forest restoration, recreation and resilience, including for climate, wildlife habit and watershed improvement. Details: https://go.usa.gov/xFcny