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Last week, Secretary Vilsack traveled to Japan and China. There, he met with his agricultural counterparts to discuss opportunities for removing trade barriers and expanding overseas markets that will support jobs and boost economic growth in rural America. To learn more about Secretary Vilsack’s trip and its focus, you can read a fact sheet about how USDA is working to help U.S. exporters gain access to overseas markets. You can also read about how the TPP expands an already significant market for U.S. exports in Japan even further. Or, if you’d like to discover firsthand how the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will effect the agricultural community and rural economies, hear from a peanut grower in Georgia, a feed manufacturer in Indiana, a rural small business owner, or two ranchers – one from Kansas and one from Texas – on how their businesses, and their industry as a whole, stand to benefit from the agreement. In addition to a focus on trade, we also took time to celebrate Rural Health Day by announcing that USDA is investing in 75 projects across 31 states and the Western Pacific to expand distance learning and telemedicine opportunities in rural areas. These grants serve to address unique challenges facing rural Americans in finding adequate healthcare options and by helping to increase access to healthcare and many other essential services. Be sure to stay tuned the rest of this month as we continue to highlight our partners and USDA’s work to strengthen rural communities and improve the quality of life for all Americans.
Texas rancher Bob McCan explains how expanding markets will benefit his cattle ranch and the industry as a whole.
Peanut farmer Brad Thompson from Donalsonville, GA tells us why The Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, is good for his industry and good for the country.
Kansas rancher Tracy Brunner explains why The Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, is good for his ranch and good for the cattle industry.
Tim Belstra from DeMotte, Indiana explains how his family and employee-owned feed manufacturing business stands to benefit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
A Regional, Rural Northeast Kansas Hospital Celebrates the Completion of State-of-the-Art Facility What began as an individual physician medical practice in 1859 in the small rural community of Onaga, Kan., has grown into a regional healthcare system spanning 10,000 square miles in three counties in northeast Kansas. The vision for this regional system was seeded by dedicated doctors, nurses, and hospital staff and guided to fruition by a series of forward-thinking hospital administrators and board members. Building Technology that Supports Organic Integrity If you have accessed the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) list of certified organic operations recently, you may have noticed a new look to the site, and new ways to search for organic operations. These changes reflect an early release of the Organic INTEGRITY Database, a system funded by the 2014 Farm Bill and built by the AMS National Organic Program and Information Technology Service with support from Intact and Harmonia Holdings Group. A New Day for Healthcare in Livingston, Montana When the first patient was admitted to the newly constructed Livingston HealthCare Hospital in late October, it marked a new era in state-of-the-art care for residents of Park County, Montana. The new critical care center boasts a Level IV Trauma Center with heli-pad, twenty-five beds, and 125,000 square feet to provide modern, high quality health care services to the over 15,000 people in the region. Agriculture Is a New Mission for a U.S. Marine Veteran Raising clams was always a part of Michael McCarthy’s life — until Sept. 11, 2001. McCarthy was working with the New York/New Jersey Harbor relay program, purging and harvesting clams, when terrorists crashed two airplanes into the World Trade Center. “You could look across the water and see the towers. That was my motivation. We were shut down for a couple of weeks and that’s when I decided to join the Marines. I knew I wasn’t going to do it for the rest of my life, but I felt like I did something to help a little bit.” Investing in a Healthy Rural America Imagine for a moment what it must be like to get injured in an accident, or have a heart attack or stroke, and have the nearest medical facility be an hour’s ambulance ride away – and that’s after the ambulance from thirty miles away gets to you. New Handbook Highlights Resources for Conservation on Organic Farms Consumer demand for organic products continues to grow. The Organic Trade Association that represents more than 8,500 organic businesses across 50 states reports that demand for organic products exceeded $39 billion in 2014. To meet that demand, more farmers and ranchers are pursuing organic certification and seeking assistance through USDA programs. Genomics and Precision Agriculture: The Future of Farming For nearly 400 years, Thanksgiving has been a time in North America when families come together to celebrate food and agriculture. As we reflect on yet another year, agricultural scientists at USDA continue to keep a wary eye on the future. New Farmers’ Legacy for the Land Some people leave a legacy for their children. Cameron Green and Eric Wittenbach plan to leave theirs to Mother Nature. Alternatives to Antibiotics to Keep Food Animals Healthy Antibiotics are lifesavers. We depend on them to treat bacterial infections and diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis and strep throat, as well as ear infections and infected wounds. Winyan Toka Win Garden Evolves Into Micro Farm When the Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP) first began its organic garden in 1999, staff members at the 26-year-old not-for-profit youth organization scarcely could have imagined where that little garden would take them. USDA Makes First Visit to Cuba Since 1961 “Last week, I was part of the first USDA team to visit Cuba since U.S. Government offices were closed there in 1961, and I was the third U.S. Cabinet official to visit the island since President Obama announced his intent to resume relations with Cuba late last year.” – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Tribal Communities Strive to Regain Food Sovereignty For thousands of years Native Americans thrived in self-sustaining communities. Now, many have to make do with whatever food and basic goods can be hauled in by truck. USDA Embraces One Health Approach for Solving Problems Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance This week is World Antibiotic Awareness Week and USDA remains focused on prolonging the usefulness of a very precious resource—antibiotics.
In this edition of USDA Week In Review: Feds feeding families, curbing food waste, and honoring American Indian and Alaska Native heritage.
US eyes food exports to growing Asia under TPP trade pact (Associated press) U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack defended a recently agreed-to 12-nation Pacific trade pact, saying the Trans-Pacific Partnership would provide a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the region while also opening up promising Asian markets with their burgeoning middle class. US agriculture secretary '100% confident' US will ratify trade pact (Nikkei) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said he is "100% confident" the U.S. will ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, considering the benefits on offer. Phil Karsting: TPP is good for Maryland and America (Baltimore Sun) This week in Baltimore, the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council will host its annual meeting, bringing together farmers, ranchers and food processors from across the country toward one common goal: to open new markets overseas to the abundance of high-quality, American-grown and American-made products that come from rural communities right here in Maryland and around the nation. US Dept of Agric to invest $56m in local poultry industry (GhanaWeb/Graphic Online) The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to invest more than $56million in the Ghanaian poultry industry to help revive the struggling sector. US keen on mutual trade opportunities with Ghana (GhanaWeb) Krysta Harden, United States (US) Deputy Secretary of Agriculture says his country is keen on exploring mutual opportunities for export of agricultural produce between Ghana and the US. USDA announces new programme to boost Ghana’s Poultry production (Business Ghana) The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced two new agreements under a Food for Progress Initiative to help enhance the value chain in Ghana's Poultry farming industry. US, Ghana announce ‘Food for Progress’ deal (Ayekoo! News) Deputy Agriculture Secretary for the United States, Krysta Harden and Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture Fifi Kwetey announced two Food for Progress agreements Tuesday to support agricultural development and trade within Ghana's poultry sector, according to usda.gov. US to invest $57m into Ghana agriculture (Ghana Business News) The US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Krysta Harden today announced a $57 million investment into the agriculture sector of Ghana. USDA Helps Schools Connect with Local Farmers and Ranchers (Ag Web) Nearly $5 million in grants will create healthier school meals and support local farmers in 39 states this school year. USDA pushes link between schools, and local farmers, ranchers (Farm Futures) USDA is working to help schools buy more local fresh foods from farmers and ranchers with the release of nearly $5 million in grants for 74 projects in 39 states.
The Ag And Trade Conversation At JCCT Broadcast Date: Thu, November 19, 2015 The Agriculture Secretary talks about some of the topics US and Chinese agricultural officials will talk about at the upcoming Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade. (Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack) Rural Telemedicine Support Through USDA Program Broadcast Date: Thu, November 19, 2015 Telemedicine facilities are among the recipients of recent awards from a USDA loan and grant program. (Rod Bain and Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Lillian Salerno) Community Facilities Funding And Support Of Rural Health Broadcast Date: Thu, November 19, 2015 A USDA Rural Development funding program provides grants and loans for a wide range of community projects, including those related to health care. (Rod Bain and Deputy Under Secretary Lillian Salerno) Broadband Reaching into More Rural Homes and Businesses Broadcast Date: Wed, November 18, 2015 Rural broadband projects financed under the 2009 Recovery Act are now complete and bringing high speed internet access to more rural areas. (Gary Crawford and Sec'y Tom Vilsack) Vilsack On US-Japan Farm And Trade Similarities Broadcast Date: Tue, November 17, 2015 The Agriculture Secretary will use his visit to Japan to share how that nation, and ours, has much in common when it comes to agriculture and trade. (Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack) A M.A.P.(And F.M.D.P.) To Build Ag Export Markets Broadcast Date: Tue, November 17, 2015 How do not one, but two, USDA export development programs support commodity groups and cooperatives building business overseas? (Rod Bain and Dalton Henry of US Wheat Associates) USDA Will Lead Trade Mission to Sub-Saharan Africa Broadcast Date: Mon, November 9, 2015 The Deputy Agriculture Secretary leads a trade delegation November 17 -20 hoping to expand US ag and food exports in Sub-Saharan Africa. (Rod Bain and Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden) USDA Expands Water Conservation Efforts in Ogallala Aquifer Broadcast Date: Mon, November 9, 2015 USDA is expanding the scope of its water conservation efforts for the Ogallala Aquifer. (Gary Crawford and Sec'y Tom Vilsack)
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