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At the core of USDA's mission is fostering economic opportunity and innovation to help rural America grow and create jobs. That means finding out what works and building on our successes to expand opportunities for American farmers and ranchers and yield positive results for rural communities across the country. Last week we announced preliminary Farm to School Census data for school year 2013-2014 indicating that last year schools purchased nearly $600 million worth of food locally. That’s 55% more than when the first Farm to School Census was conducted during school year 2011-2012! The census data indicate that in addition to increased consumption, strong farm to school programs also reduce plate waste and increase participation in the school meals program. Those numbers are good news for our kids who have more healthy, fresh options to choose from in the school cafeteria, and good news for farmers and ranchers who benefit from expanded marketing opportunities in their local communities. You can see more ways USDA is working to invest in new market opportunities for local and regional food systems in a fact sheet we released last week. We also announced nearly $2.3 billion in loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 31 states. The announcement included funding for smart grid technology, renewable energy improvements and storm damage repairs. These loans will also help build or improve 12,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines. Learn more about the program and find a project in your state. Stay tuned this month as we highlight some of our nation’s #HarvestHeroes and continue to celebrate the promise of rural America, and the #RuralMade economy.
Preliminary results from the Farm to School Census show that 75% of respondents engaged in farm to school activities experienced at least one of these benefits.
USDA Rural Development Michigan State Director James J. Turner cuts the ribbon for the Mt. Pleasant Native Farmers Market with Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Chief Steve Pego in Michigan.
The GroupGAP framework enabled very small farms to access wholesale markets by providing an umbrella of expert and peer-to-peer technical support.
A $39.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is helping turn forest byproducts into biofuel.
A Colorado elementary school student shows off fresh lettuce grown by students in his school’s garden.
Nationwide Census on Farm to School Activities Shows Increased Use of Local Foods in Schools What can $598 million buy you these days? A lot of local food! GroupGAP Program Brings New Market Opportunities for Farmers In the spring of 2016, USDA will add the GroupGAP Audit Program to the list of third-party auditing services provided by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Fall Migration Underway – Make Sure to Protect Your Poultry with Good Biosecurity Practices Earlier this year, we experienced this country’s largest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, affecting more than 200 commercial and backyard poultry flocks. Fueling our Future, from Wood to Wing U.S. airline carriers collectively used more than 16 billion gallons of jet fuel in 2014. Given growing concerns over energy independence and the environment, commercial airlines are looking for secure and reliable alternative jet fuels that reduce global emissions. Preparing for a ‘Silver Tsunami’ October is National Cooperative Month, and we’re highlighting several projects throughout the month that have been supported through USDA Rural Development’s Cooperative Services. UPDATE: A Farmers Market Soars in Michigan To update you on a story featured previously, I was honored to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Mt. Pleasant Native Farmers Market. Gopher Tortoise Habitats Thrive along Alabama’s Gulf Coast Longleaf pine forests once dominated the Southeast. But over the past two centuries, many of these forests have disappeared along with the wildlife that called them home. Support Healthy Markets this National Forest Products Week Our forests are renewable and vital resources when sustainably managed. South Florida Drought: Mobile Irrigation Labs to the Rescue Widespread drought in California and other parts of the western United States has been widely covered, but earlier this year, drought conditions in southeast Florida were “extreme” and are still considered “abnormally dry” according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.
Jet fuel from wood, hunger as a health issue, and Disability Mentoring Day.
Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack on RURAL TOWN HALL (RFD-TV)[VIDEO] The top seat of the U.S. Department of Agriculture says helping rural America and the senior population will help the country as a whole. As Schools Buy More Local Food, Kids Throw Less Food In The Trash (NPR) More and more schools are trying to serve meals with food that was grown nearby. Vilsack: ‘Vision Iowa’-like conservation effort needed (Des Moines Register) Iowa needs a conservation effort similar to its $2 billion Vision Iowa program, the public-private investment that led to development of the Iowa Events Center, Dubuque's America's River Project and other landmark efforts, U.S. Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday. USDA Awards Infrastructure Loans to North Carolina Companies (NPR/WFDD) The USDA announced Thursday it’s granting nearly $2.3 billion in loans to help rural communities improve their power grids, and three North Carolina companies will get a piece of that pie. USDA: Farm to School program responsible for better school meal outcomes (Agri-Pulse) The Agriculture Department says its Farm to School Grant Program, created under the Obama administration's Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, has increased the number of school meals sold, bolstered consumption of healthier foods in schools, and helped to reduce plate waste. More Schools Serving Locally Grown Food, USDA Says (The Educated Reporter) Students in public schools are eating healthier cafeteria meals made from an increasing array of locally sourced food, according to new federal data out today from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Auburn awarded USDA grant focused on young farmers and ranchers (The Plainsman) Auburn University received a $711,213 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to provide resources, technology and assistance to new and beginning farmers.
LATEST ROUND OF T-TIP NEGOTIATIONS Broadcast Date: Fri, October 23, 2015 What progress has been made with the TransAtlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations, now that the latest round of talks has wrapped up? (Rod Bain and Chief US T-TIP Negotiator Dan Mullaney) AG INNOVATION AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD HISTORY Broadcast Date: Fri, October 23, 2015 How we raise, store, and transport food has improved significantly over time, thanks to innovation, leading to more food and more choices for consumers. (Rod Bain and Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden) A VERY LOW 2015 FOOD PRICE INFLATION RATE Broadcast Date: Fri, October 23, 2015 Consumers are seeing food prices this year climbing very little from last year's levels. (Gary Crawford and Annemarie Kuhns) ACTUALITY: A LOOK AHEAD TO 2016 FOOD PRICE INFLATION Broadcast Date: Fri, October 23, 2015 Annemarie Kuhns, USDA food price economist, with an early look at expected food price inflation for 2016. VILSACK HARD AT WORK EXPLAINING TPP TO LAWMAKERS AND OTHERS Broadcast Date: Thu, October 22, 2015 The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement would have major implications for agriculture. The Secretary of Agriculture is busy explaining the agreement to lawmakers and others. (Gary Crawford and Sec'y Tom Vilsack) ACTUALITY: VILSACK ANNOUNCING RURAL ELECTRIC LOANS Broadcast Date: Thu, October 22, 2015 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announcing new rural electric infrastructure loans. LAWMAKERS HEAR ABOUT EXAMPLES OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT Broadcast Date: Wed, October 21, 2015 USDA's Rural Development mission area covers many facets connected to growing rural communities and rural economies. (Rod Bain and Under Secretary Lisa Mensah) BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN Broadcast Date: Wed, October 21, 2015 Coordinated Agricultural Projects are an approach to build regional supply chains to support bioenergy and biobased industries. (Rod Bain and Dr. Bill Goldner of USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture) NEEDED DRYING, THEN NEEDED RAIN, IN PARTS OF SOUTHEAST Broadcast Date: Tue, October 20, 2015 Dry conditions in the Southeast have helped in flood recovery efforts, but moisture is soon needed for winter crops. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey) THE COST OF EATING OUT IS RISING FASTER THAN FOOD PRICES Broadcast Date: Tue, October 20, 2015 The costs of eating out are rising and are rising at an accelerated pace, compared to the costs of food at grocery stores. (Gary Crawford and Annemarie Kuhns) A LOOK AT HARVEST PROGRESS FOR CORN AND SOYBEANS Broadcast Date: Mon, October 19, 2015 Farmers are racing along with corn and soybean harvesting. (Gary Crawford and Brad Rippey)
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