New USDA Website, Rules for Beginning Farmers
On Monday, June 23, U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden announced the implementation of several 2014 Farm Bill measures as well as other policy initiatives to help...
View ArticleUSDA Releases Final Rule to Expand Nondiscriminatory Protections
On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its final rule, “Nondiscrimination in Programs or Activities Conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture.”...
View ArticleUSDA Webinar on the Grass Fed Program for Small Livestock Operations
On Tuesday, August 5, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a webinar about the previously announced Grass-Fed Program for Small and Very Small (SVS)...
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White House and USDA Honor Beginning Farmer “Champions of Change”
Champions of Change with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Krysta Harden On Tuesday, July 29, the White House honored 15 “Champions of Change” working to build a strong foundation for the next...
View ArticleSeeking Business Listings for Local and Regional Food Directories
Two recent announcements by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) highlighted the agency’s progress in developing three new directories that will support...
View ArticleNew Local and Regional Food Data Available from USDA Market News
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) recently announced that its free online Market News service will now include reports on local and regional food markets....
View ArticleDeadline for Applications for Minority Farmer Assistance Grant Program
On Thursday, August 21st, the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) hosted a listening session on available funding for the Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially...
View ArticleOrganic Certification Farmer Cost Share Funds Still Available
As the 2014 fiscal year comes to a close, organic farmers and handlers can still take advantage of nearly $13 million dollars in farm bill funding through two organic certification cost-share programs...
View ArticleConservation Innovation Grant Recipients Announced
On Monday, September 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced 47 new Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) awards, totaling $15.7 million. Recipients include universities, soil and water...
View ArticleAwards Promoting Local and Regional Farmers and Food Systems Announced
On September 29, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced over $32.8 million awards from three grant programs supporting local and regional food systems, research into...
View ArticleNew USDA Tools to Help Locate Local Food
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) unveiled new and updated tools to help consumers, producers, and community leaders find local food sources in their region. As...
View ArticleFarm to School Programs Create New Opportunities for Farmers
Guest Blog – Cross posted from the USDA Blog Posted by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, on October 2, 2014 at 3:00 PM This October, just like every other month during the school year, school menus...
View ArticleNSAC member organizations receive Rural Business Enterprise Grants from USDA
On Tuesday, October 21, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced 50 new Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) for the 2014 fiscal year, including awards for two NSAC member organizations....
View ArticleUSDA Releases Guidance Documents for Conservation Initiatives
In the final days of October, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided its state NRCS offices with national guidance on when and how to administer various conservation initiatives...
View ArticleNew USDA Assistance for Farmer Veterans
More and more military veterans are trading in their combat boots for cowboy boots and transitioning into a career in agriculture. Many of the men and women who have served our country come from rural...
View ArticleNew Year, New USDA Farm to School Webinars
Farm to school activities connect school children with healthy foods from local farmers. These efforts include bringing locally produced food into school cafeterias, integrating lessons in agriculture,...
View ArticleProgram Roundup – Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
Editor’s Note — This is the latest in a series of periodic blog posts on the latest happenings in each Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) regions as they roll out project...
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Rural Child Poverty – New White House Report and Initiative
Addressing rural child poverty is the subject of a recently launched White House “Rural Impact” initiative, including a recently published report highlighting the trends in rural poverty in the United...
View ArticleFarm Conservation Client Gateway Now Open for Use!
On Wednesday, May 27, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released their long anticipated online portal for conservation activities. This new Conservation Client Gateway, is a...
View ArticleUSDA Invests $6.7 Million in Rural Energy Projects
On Wednesday, June 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of $6.7 million in 544 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects through the farm bill’s Rural Energy for...
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