Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
 
This year, millions of rural businesses and families made positive impacts in their communities with the support of USDA investments. As 2015 draws to a close, we want to thank our nation’s farmers and ranchers for all they’ve done by highlighting a few of the most moving and motivating stories of the year.
In 2015, A #HighFive for Farmers This year, millions of rural businesses and families were positively impacted by USDA investments in their communities. From helping farmers and ranchers bring their products to tables here and abroad, to building critical infrastructure in America’s rural areas, to conserving our nation’s natural resources with long-lasting partnerships, USDA is continuously working toward better results each year for the American people. As 2015 draws to a close, we want to thank our nation’s farmers and ranchers and rural families for all they’ve done by highlighting some of the most moving and motivating stories of the year. Partnering with Farmers and Ranchers to Address Climate Change and Food Security Challenges As world leaders gather in Paris this week to negotiate a new global climate agreement, it is important to recognize the contributions of farmers, ranchers and foresters in the United States towards achieving a more food secure world while adapting to climate change, increasing carbon sequestration, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Five Conservation Stories from 2015 You Should Read 2015 was a banner year for voluntary conservation efforts in the United States. Whether protecting the farmlands, grasslands and wetlands with partnership efforts and conservation easements, helping new farmers get started with conservation on smaller scale farms or providing conservation solutions for organic, transitioning-to-organic and conventional farms or ranches across the country, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service celebrates the voluntary, private-lands conservation efforts of the partners, farmers and ranchers. Together they represent some of the strongest stewards of the American landscape. Here are five 2015 stories that highlight a big year for conservation. Five Things You Should Know About USDA Climate Hubs In 2015 The USDA Climate Hubs are having a banner first year. The focus has been about coordination and scoping. We are diligently working to understand all the existing “players” in the game so that we can concentrate on areas and projects that will have the greatest impact on America’s farmers, ranchers and forest land owners. Farmer, Conservationists Partner to Build a Bridge for Salmon in Southern Maine A just-completed project that restored a fish passage in southern Maine may have another benefit – preventing an environmental disaster on important salmon-spawning streams. A new bridge that now crosses the Swan Pond Creek at the Al Dube Quarterhorse Farm in York County was the culmination of a year-long quest by the Saco River Salmon Club and Hatchery and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to rehabilitate a section of the creek for fish passage and rearing of juvenile salmon. Working Together to Address Global Food Insecurity As a daughter of farmers, and as someone who has spent her career working on behalf of farmers, one of the things I care most deeply about is the future of agriculture – both in the United States and around the world. That is why one of my highest priorities at USDA has been to help develop the next generation of farmers, ensuring that women, young people, and others have access to the programs and support they need to farm successfully. FSA Partnership Helps New Farmer Connect to the Land Growing up in Tanzania, East Africa, Sangiwa Eliamani became a skilled farmer producing rice, millet and cotton throughout the year, using typical hand tools. He had no concerns about seasonal timing or finding markets for his crops, until he moved to the United States and attempted to farm in Massachusetts. Library Garden Provides ‘Rest Stop’ for Monarch Butterflies The pollinator garden at our library in Princeton, Ill. is a popular rest stop for monarch butterflies on their cross-continental journey. My agency, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), worked with local partners and businesses to create a 2,400-square-foot pollinator garden as a way to educate the public and provide needed pollinator habitat.
In this edition of USDA Week In Review: Lighting the Capitol Christmas Tree, agriculture and climate change, and the connection between soil and space.
Agriculture Department Forecasts Less Abundance in the Land of Plenty (New York Times) The United States is the world’s largest food exporter, but as the climate keeps changing, “crop yields, livestock production and revenues are expected to decline,” according to a detailed new analysis by the Agriculture Department. Climate change could make 175 million more people go hungry – USDA report (The Guardian) Unchecked climate change risks plunging a further 175 million people into hunger and undernourishment worldwide, undermining progress in reducing food insecurity, a US government report warns. Study Looks At Climate Change, Colo. Food Security (Colorado Public Radio) A new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns that climate change could impact the food supply in Colorado--and across the world. USDA report details climate change threat to U.S. and global agriculture (Agri-Pulse) The USDA today unveiled a new report warning that global warming will continue to cut agricultural production in the U.S. and around the world and reverse the recent trend of rising food security in some of the poorest countries. Vilsack: 'To address climate change, we have to get ahead of it' (Farm Futures) As world leaders gather in Paris this week to negotiate a new global climate agreement, it is important to recognize the contributions of farmers, ranchers and foresters in the United States towards achieving a more food secure world while adapting to climate change, increasing carbon sequestration, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Globetrotting Ag Secretary (Ag Wired) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is continuing his world travels this week in Europe after visiting Cuba, Japan and China in the past few weeks.
California Drought Woes Continue Broadcast Date: Thu, December 3, 2015 California anxiously awaits drought relief from El Nino fueled storms, but for now the four year drought continues. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey) Beyond International Year Of Soil Celebration Broadcast Date: Thu, December 3, 2015 What lies ahead for education and awareness of the importance of soils and soil health as the International Year of Soil celebration comes to a close? (Rod Bain and Griffith Observatory curator Laura Danly) USDA Releases New Report on Climate Change Broadcast Date: Wed, December 2, 2015 New report has warnings about the effects of climate change on world food security. (Gary Crawford, Sec'y Tom Vilsack and Peter Backlund) World Agricultural Leaders in Paris Talk about Climate Change Challenge Broadcast Date: Wed, December 2, 2015 The idea of "climate smart agriculture" is being given international attention this week in Paris meetings. (Gary Crawford, Sec'y Tom Vilsack, Luis Felipe Arauz-Cavallin, Cao duc Phat, Geraldine Byrne-Nelson) Actuality: Report Lists Ways to Reduce Climate Change Effect on Agriculture Broadcast Date: Wed, December 2, 2015 Peter Backund, co-author of USDA's new climate change report, saying there are possible ways to mitigate some of the negative effects of climate change on the world's food system. Actuality: Vilsack Outlines for Paris Meeting U.S. Ag. Climate Change Actions Broadcast Date: Wed, December 2, 2015 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack telling a meeting of the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture in Paris about what the U.S. is doing to help famers adapt to climate change and to reduce carbon emissions. Actuality: No Single Solution for Agriculture to Handle Climate Change Broadcast Date: Wed, December 2, 2015 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack telling a session at the Paris climate change meetings that it's clear that it will take a number of approaches to handle possible agricultural problems brought on by climate change. Building Efforts To Combat Global Hunger Broadcast Date: Wed, December 2, 2015 The Agriculture Deputy Secretary offers ideas how USDA can continue to build upon its efforts to help improve food security around the world. (Rod Bain and Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden) Vilsack Introduces American Farmer At EU Ag Outlook Conference Broadcast Date: Tue, December 1, 2015 The Agriculture Secretary used a forum in Europe to describe US farmers and share American perspectives on agriculture. (Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack) Vilsack Visits With European Ag Leaders Broadcast Date: Mon, November 30, 2015 The Agriculture Secretary is in Belgium visiting with both the European Union Ag Commissioner and European parliament members. (Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack) Obama Addresses UN Climate Change Summit Broadcast Date: Mon, November 30, 2015 The President of the United States is among the world leaders attending and addressing this week's United Nations conference on climate change. (Rod Bain and President Barack Obama)
|
