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"No matter where you're from, no matter what you look like, no matter your background, we want USDA to be the first stop for anyone who is looking to be a part of the story and legacy of American agriculture." – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden
To build on existing support for new and future farmers, Deputy Secretary Harden traveled to the National FFA Convention in Kentucky where she announced a new commitment to prioritize $5.6 billion over the next two years with the goal of increasing beginning farmer and rancher participation by 6.6%. In the United States today, the average age of the American farmer is around 58. And data show that close to 10% of farmland in the continental U.S. will change hands in the next five years. Here at USDA, we see this as both a challenge and an opportunity that we must step up to meet. While in Kentucky, she also unveiled a newly tailored web tool designed to connect burgeoning farm entrepreneurs with programs and resources available to help them get started: www.usda.gov/newfarmers. The site features advice and guidance on everything a new farm business owner will need to know, and even includes a personalized Discovery Tool that builds a customized set of recommendations of USDA programs and services based on your needs. Take a tour and let us know what you think with #NewFarmers!
This week on our blog, we’ve been featuring the stories of America’s Harvest Heroes who, like farmers across the nation, are working this harvest season to secure the bounty of healthy food American agriculture is renowned for. Read their stories here.
We released a new web tool targeted to new and beginning farmers! Discover it here: www.usda.gov/newfarmers
Secretary Vilsack announces investments made nationwide to increase the availability of renewable biofuels at a Citgo station located in Kissimmee, FL.
Mark Schalk explains the process for sorting Alpaca hair that will be used to make blanket yarn. Natural Fiber Producers cooperative worked with USDA to obtain a Business and Industry Loan Guarantee.
Harvesting Clean Energy in Montana If properly leveraged with other programs, both private and public, and investment from the private sector – the funding made available by Congress could conceivably have a billion-dollar impact on clean energy development in our nation. In the fall a person’s fancy often turns to thoughts of…pumpkins. The season is underway, from the ornamental pumpkins of Halloween to the pies that grace many tables at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Where do pumpkins come from? Co-ops Help Make Home Affordable and Bridge Digital Divide for Rural Americans October is National Cooperative Month, and we’re happy to spotlight several projects throughout the month that have been supported through USDA Rural Development’s Cooperative Services. USDA Assists in Bringing Commercial Dehairing Operations Back to United States It took nearly two years to travel from Italy to America via transportation across water, through the air, and along roadways and railways – and now a large, brightly colored piece of equipment is making history in the tiny rural community of Springfield, KY.
A towering, craggy McIntosh apple tree in the center of the orchard at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts, has weathered 113 winters, borne many tons of crisp, tart apples and fed generations of customers. Heroes of the Harvest: Breeding program brings better, safer corn to South Dr. Seth Murray grew up in suburban Michigan and, after spending time on his grandfather’s farm, knew from a young age he wanted to work with plants. Collaboration and Innovation are Keys to Organic Success For years, the organic industry has experienced enormous growth, defying expectations and creating exciting opportunities for producers and entrepreneurs around the world.
On a small parcel of land in the heart of the City of Champaign, Illinois, are two gardens that offer opportunities for neighbors and the community to learn about growing food, eating nutritious food and earning a living. USDA Foods: From American Farms to American Tables USDA has programs and services that bring the bounty of American agriculture to people and communities across the country. Sound and Sensible Initiative Projects Simplify Organic Certification USDA’s National Organic Program is the bedrock regulatory program responsible for developing national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. A Look at Life in the Wildland Urban Interface There is a growing population that seeks refuge in and near forests and other natural areas. Not for hiking, biking, and picnicking, but rather to live, in primary residences and second homes. Heroes of the Harvest, #WomeninAg Edition: Shelly and Morgan Ziesch Farming and ranching in central North Dakota is a family affair for the Zieschs. Shelly and Robin Ziesch have three daughters who are all involved in agriculture, from ranching on their own to agriculture education to helping out on the family farm. Smart Phones: The Latest Tool for Sustainable Farming Seems like there’s an “app” (application) for everything these days—perhaps because mobile phone use is becoming increasingly global. USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) soil scientist Jeff Herrick and colleagues have jumped on that trend in their efforts to promote sustainable land-use practices and world food security. There’s Something Fishy Going on in Petersburg’s Food Desert Money’s tight in Petersburg, Va., and sometimes it’s difficult to put nutritious food on the table. A Student’s Perspective: How Fuel Up to Play 60 Supports Farm to School I am a student ambassador (for Fuel Up to Play 60) at my middle school in Wisconsin. Heroes of the Harvest: Texas Producer Changes his Mind about Leaving the Farm Jonathan Cobb had made up his mind. He was leaving the farm.
Appealing to pediatricians, honoring veterans, and doing the I'm Possible.
Vilsack: TPP deal is a good deal for rural America (Richmond Times-Dispatch) Picture this: nearly 500 million people — more than four times the number of people who watched the Super Bowl last year. That’s the equivalent of every man, woman and child living in the 11 other countries that make up the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and they’re all hungry for the American brand of agriculture. USDA Provides $100M for 5,000 New Ethanol Pumps in 21 States (Associated Press) The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it is spending $100 million to help install nearly 5,000 additional ethanol fuel pumps in 21 states. Florida to receive $15.9 million in federal funds for biofuel pumps (Palm Beach Post) Florida is slated to receive $15.9 million in federal grants to provide 893 fuel pumps at 130 stations to supply renewable fuels such as E85 to motorists, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday. USDA Making $210 Million Investment in Renewable Energy Infrastructure (Southeast Ag Net) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Florida today to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists. USDA awards $3.6 million to set up SNAP job training hub (Agri-Pulse) USDA has awarded a $3.6 million grant to the Seattle Jobs Initiative (SGI) to set up a so-called Center of Excellence designed to develop and disseminate best practices to help state job training centers find work for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP). 5 things to love about USDA’s New Farmers website: (National Young Farmers Coalition) Yesterday, USDA announced that they are doubling down on their commitment to new farmers. USDA funding plan, web tool aimed at helping beginning farmers (Agri-Pulse) The Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced plans to prioritize $5.6 billion in funding over the next two years to help beginning farmers and ranchers get started. USDA designs new web tool for beginning farmers and ranchers (Farm Futures) The average age of the American farmer now exceeds 58 years, and data shows that almost 10% of farmland in the continental United States will change hands in the next five years. USDA looking for new farmers (Arkansas Online) The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced plans to direct $5.6 billion over the next two years toward programs that serve new farmers and ranchers. USDA Commits $5.6 Billion to New Farmers (Agriculture.com) Today, in front of over 60,000 attendees at the National FFA Convention, the USDA announced its commitment to put $5.6 billion toward helping new and beginning farmers and ranchers. USDA Offering More Funding to Beginning Farmer Programs (USAg Net) USDA will invest $5.6 billion in programs and services over the next two years to serve new and beginning farmers and ranchers, according to Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden. USDA Spending Millions on Rural (CBS2) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Wednesday that USDA is investing $3.7 million to help rural families repair and rehabilitate their homes. Beginning farmer interactive site unveiled (Brownfield Ag News) Beginning farmers now have a new online tool – an interactive website – for choosing USDA programs to help them get started. USDA deputy ag secretary tells UKAg students they are the future of agriculture (UK Ag News) U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden told University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment students they are the next generation of agricultural decision-makers and problem solvers. White House honors agriculture ‘Champions of Change’ (Agri-Pulse) The White House honored 12 “Champions of Change” in sustainable agriculture Monday for using and promoting management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve environmental conditions and grow local economies. Campus dining has learned to waste not (News-Gazette) When the U.S. secretary of agriculture visited campus last month, he challenged students at the University of Illinois to do their part to help prevent food waste.
STATES TO GET HELP WITH SNAP EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING PROGRAMS Broadcast Date: Thu, October 29, 2015 The Agriculture Secretary has announced creation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Center of Excellence. (Gary Crawford, Sec'y Tom Vilsack, Rep. Suzan Delbene and john Kim) NEW INVESTMENT WILL MEAN MORE CHOICE FOR MOTORISTS AT THE PUMP Broadcast Date: Wed, October 28, 2015 Some new investments by the Agriculture Department, private industry and 21 states will mean more choices for motorists at the pump. (Gary Crawford and Sec'y Tom Vilsack) ACTUALITY: VILSACK CONNECTING BIOFUELS TO LOWER COSTS AT THE PUMP Broadcast Date: Wed, October 28, 2015 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at a gas station in Kissimmee, Florida, Wednesday, saying that studies show a healthy biofuels industry means lower prices for consumers at the pump. USDA MAKES FIRST FARM BILL SAFETY NET PAYMENTS FOR 2014 CROPS Broadcast Date: Tue, October 27, 2015 Farm safety net programs were designed to help farmers when crop prices and farm revenues fall. That happened to many farmers in 2014 and those safety net programs are now paying off. (Gary Crawford and Val Dolcini) HOW YOU CAN HELP MONARCH BUTTERFLIES Broadcast Date: Tue, October 27, 2015 Planting pollinator friendly plants specific to Monarch butterflies that live in your area can help this iconic species. (Rod Bain and Kim Winter of the US Forest Service) T-TIP NEGOTIATIONS BUILDING UPON PREVIOUS PROGRESS Broadcast Date: Mon, October 26, 2015 While much work remains to get a US-European Union trade deal in place, both sides noted progress in the recent round of negotiations. (Rod Bain. US Chief T-TIP Negotiator Dan Mullaney. EU Chief T-TIP Negotiator Ignacio Garcia-Bercero.) ACTUALITY: BENEFITS OF CRP AFTER 30 YEARS Broadcast Date: Mon, October 26, 2015 Farm Service Agency Administrator Val Dolcini notes how the Conservation Reserve Program, now in its thirtieth year, provides environmental benefits.
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