USDA
Ag Secretary Vilsack, sustainable coalition highlight loss of farms
The 2022 Census of Agriculture, recently released by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), underscores the need for federal policies that support small and medium farms, according to the National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition (NASC).... more »
Brighter Bites named strategic MyPlate.gov partner
Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly to families, has been named a National Strategic Partner of MyPlate.gov. Through this partnership, Brighter Bites joins a large variety of organizations and... more »
USDA pesticide data report shows overwhelming compliance
The USDA has released its Pesticide Data Program (PDP) report focused on 2022 sampling results, which shows that more than 99% of all foods sampled had residues well below Environmental Protection Agency safety standards, if... more »
USDA invests in strengthening specialty crops sector
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in programs designed to support the U.S. specialty crops industry, including promoting exports and funding a maximum residue limits (MRL) database. The launch of the Assisting Specialty... more »
USDA’s fruit and vegetable advisory group meets in February
The USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC) is preparing for its next meeting. The committee will have a virtual meeting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern on March 4-5, 2024. The USDA... more »
USDA funds more than $1 million in organic promotion abroad
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has received more than $1 million from the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) to promote U.S. organic products around the world in 2024. The $1.05 million consists of $760,633 in... more »
USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum registration open
Registration is open for the 100th USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum, a hybrid event set for Feb. 15-16 in Arlington, Virginia. The 2024 forum, themed “Cultivating the Future,” will be at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott... more »
Farmer risk management training receives funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is awarding up to $3 million for cooperative agreements to educate underserved, small-scale and organic producers on risk management and climate-smart practices. RMA’s Risk Management Education... more »
$203M awarded to market access programs
More than $203 million will be awarded to nearly 70 agricultural organizations to help expand U.S. food and agricultural export markets through two USDA programs. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service is distributing the funds through the... more »
USDA reminds specialty crop growers about on-farm food safety expenses application deadline
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop growers that assistance is available for producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses to obtain or renew a food safety certification through the Food... more »