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Join us throughout the month of April as we take a look at how significant and transformative USDA investments have supported a growing movement to better connect producers with consumers and expand rural economic opportunities. Follow along on usda.gov, on the USDA blog and by using #USDAResults, or catch up on Chapter IV on our Medium site: http://www.usda.gov/medium.
In April we’ll take a look at how USDA’s programs evolved to support a growing movement to better get to know our farmers, connecting producers with consumers and expanding rural economic opportunities to help more farmers stay on the farm: www.usda.gov/medium.
Celebrating the New Face of Agriculture At the Agricultural Marketing Service and across USDA, we often talk about the fact that the face of American agriculture is changing. The ranks of our farmers, especially young and beginning farmers, include a growing number of women, people of color, veterans or folks in their second careers. So-called “traditional” agriculture defies the term as it pursues new strategies, new products, and new markets. The Shawnee National Forest is one of few places in Illinois where you will find large open spaces to explore and be immersed in nature. One of its special places is the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area. When Otis Donald Philen, Jr. decided to combine his working farm operation with an outdoor classroom, he knew just the group to help―the New River Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Every day, many young people feel unsafe, disconnected, unsupported, and harmed because of bullying, harassment, and other forms of violence. Be SAFE: Safe, Affirming, and Fair Environments is a Michigan State University Extension initiative that helps communities learn about and address these issues. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) teamed up with techies across the nation to strengthen the integrity and improve the user experience of the National School Lunch Program application. On December 1, 2015, we launched a public “hackathon” contest – the E.A.T. (Electronic Application Transformation) School Lunch U.X. Challenge – to tap into this country’s greatest resource: its people. For many veterans, agriculture may be a career choice worth exploring when they return to civilian life. Veterans have discipline, passion and a sense of service—qualities that would translate well for anyone interested in getting into agriculture. Recently, the National Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) hosted its 31st National Career Fair and Training Conference. After service in the U.S. Navy, that included deployment to Kuwait and Afghanistan, Commander Theresa Everest knew farming was her next step.
Broadcast Date: Mon, April 11, 2016 Broadcast Date: Mon, April 11, 2016 Broadcast Date: Mon, April 11, 2016 Broadcast Date: Mon, April 11, 2016
Helping farmers and ranchers add value to their businesses (Brownfield Ag News) The US Department of Agriculture is helping farmers and ranchers expand markets and add value to their businesses. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced up to $44 million would be available to farmers, ranchers, and businesses to develop new bio-based products through the Value-Added Producer Grant program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and private partners announced last week that they are putting nearly $3 million into bolstering the supply chain for 10 local-food systems around the country, including one in the Chesapeake Bay region. Access to nutritious food is essential to the well-being and productivity of all Americans. That's why when I became Secretary of Agriculture in 2009, I made a commitment to ensure our programs helped advance rural opportunity, strengthen local food systems, protect natural resources and combat hunger and malnutrition. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a first-time survey Wednesday to produce official benchmark data on the local food sector. The Local Food Marketing Practices Survey will ask producers for information on their production and local marketing of foods during the 2015 calendar year, including the value of crop and livestock sales, marketing practices, expenses and Federal farm program participation. At the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) urged Americans of all ages to “Plant a Window Box for Pollinators” by using a new, free online tool available for use at the redesigned People’s Garden Initiative website.
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