Since 2009, USDA has led 246 U.S. agribusinesses and 26 State Departments of Agriculture on agricultural trade missions. These trade missions have fostered positive partnerships with international markets and have linked overseas consumers to American products. They open doors and deliver results for U.S. exporters, giving them the opportunity to gather market intelligence, create relationships with potential customers and interact with government officials to start or expand their sales in key markets overseas.
This week, leaders from five state departments of agriculture and eight U.S. agribusinesses and organizations will accompany Agriculture Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse on a trade mission to Ukraine and Romania to expand export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products.
You can also hear from Quality Ethnic Foods, a Baltimore-based small business that is successfully selling its frozen foods, sauces and other products overseas. With support from USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, CEO Afraz Ahmed’s company has been able to participate in trade shows and connect with foreign buyers it wouldn’t be able to reach on its own.
Join us throughout the month of June as we continue to explore how American agricultural exports have served as a bright spot for the U.S. economy since 2009 while helping to ensure our ambitious goals of ending poverty and hunger are met. Follow along on usda.gov, on the USDA blog and by using #USDAResults, or catch up on Chapter VI on our Medium site.
In June, we’ll look at how American agricultural exports have served as a bright spot for the U.S. economy since 2009 while helping to ensure our ambitious goals of ending poverty and hunger are met.
US farm exports to the European Union are up 64% over 10 years, to $12.1 billion in 2015.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) helps protect growers, like the romaine lettuce producer pictured above, by representing American interests at meetings of the Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC). Link
U.S. farm exports to Japan are up 33% over 10 years, to $11.2 billion in 2015.
Establishing Solid Ground for Growth With Cuba
“It all starts with a seed.” That’s an observation Cuba’s Minister of Agriculture, Gustavo Rodriguez Rollero, made on an Iowa farm just over a week ago, during his first-ever visit to the United States. Minister Rodriguez and I have had the opportunity to plant several seeds as the U.S. and Cuba work to regrow our diplomatic relationship, and after two visits to his country since November 2015, it was my honor to host him in my home state of Iowa.
Helping Reduce Risk and Facilitate Trade of Fruits and Vegetables
Now that it’s June, many of us are enjoying a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables that will be available throughout the summer. During the rest of the year, some of these same fresh fruits and vegetables are available to American consumers thanks to trade agreements with Canada and Mexico.
USDA Builds Communities with Lenders
It’s been 25 years since USDA guaranteed the first home loan in Donalsonville, Georgia. The home itself was a modest spot nestled into the tiny little village in rural Georgia. To an outsider this home may look non-descript, but to the family who moved in 25 years ago, owning this home was a dream that seemed impossible before they found out USDA and their small town lender could work together to make their dream become reality.
The Nutrient Challenge of Sustainable Fertilizer Management
It’s a case of “darned if you do, darned if don’t. The global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 and we will have to grow a lot more food to feed all of those people. Some might think we would need to use a lot more fertilizer; however, too much fertilizer—nitrogen and phosphorus—can be disastrous to ecosystems, affecting the water, land, air, and biodiversity. The nutrient challenge is to improve fertilizer efficiency to produce more food and energy crops while creating less pollution.
US Forest Service Waives Fees for National Get Outdoors Day – June 11
In an era of social media mania, forests around the country are opening their doors to reacquaint kids and parents with good old fashion family fun—without the aid of modern technology. On Saturday, June 11, the U.S. Forest Service invites families to join thousands of forest explorers for a free, fun-packed day of outdoor adventures in celebration of National Get Outdoors Day.
MyPlate Turns Five! Celebrating New Resources in 2016
Since MyPlate’s debut in 2011, the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) has expanded and improved upon outreach efforts, continuously offering new resources and tools. This year is no exception, with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPlate, MyWins campaign released simultaneously in January 2016. Let’s explore what else is in store!
USDA Joins Tribal Leaders for Historic Meeting
This February I had the great honor of participating in a meeting on the landscape of nutrition programs in tribal communities. The meeting in Washington, D.C. brought together elected leaders from 12 tribal nations across the country, as well as USDA Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse and representatives of tribal organizations.
Exploring Ag Trade Opportunities In Eastern Europe
Lithuania, Ukraine, and Romania are scheduled stops for the Acting Deputy Ag Secretary on his mission to expand trade opportunities. (Rod Bain and Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse)
Organic Equivalency Arrangements - A Trade Tool
Agreements between the US and some of its global trading partners are opening doors for American organic ag exports. (Rod Bain and Monique Marez of the Organic Trade Association)
USDA Efforts Support Rural Puerto Rico
A variety of programs are helping Puerto Rico improve its rural economic and agricultural opportunities, according to the Agriculture Secretary. (Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack)
Research And Puerto Rico's Natural Resources
From the Caribbean Climate Sub Hub to various research facilities, USDA research is helping to address natural resource issues in a US territory. (Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack)
Nine New Promise Zones Announced
There are rural areas included in new Promise Zones announced on Monday. (Gary Crawford, President Barack Obama and Sec'y Tom Vilsack)
USDA Trade mission to Ukraine, Romania (Ohio Country Journal)
Leaders from five state departments of agriculture and eight U.S. agribusinesses and organizations will accompany Agriculture Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse on a trade mission to Ukraine and Romania June 11 to June 18 to expand export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products.
Federal government to help cotton producers with costs (Associated Press)
Federal officials have announced that cotton producers across the country will receive an estimated $300 million as part of a cotton ginning cost-share program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency will provide about 60 percent more assistance to each farm than the 2014 cost-share program did.
Vilsack unveils new USDA Cotton Ginning Cost-Share Program (Delta Farm Pres)
It was a while coming, but Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made good on his promise USDA would provide a “meaningful” amount of ginning cost-share assistance to eligible cotton producers. Under the program, announced in Washington today (June 6), USDA’s Farm Service Agency is expected to begin sign-up for an estimated $300 million in payments on June 20. Payments will be processed as applications are received and are expected to begin in July.
USDA Provides Assistance to Cotton Producers (AgWired)
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is offering $300 million in cost-share assistance payments to cotton growers to help with the cost of ginning as well as continuing expand and maintain the U.S.’s domestic cotton market. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the announcement shows USDA continues to stand with America’s cotton producers and rural communities.
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