USDA Latest

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today presented the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) highest honor to 40 teams of distinguished employees who made the most significant accomplishments that support USDA’s mission, strategic goals, objectives and priorities. Vilsack also presented a Secretary’s Act of Valor Award to a team that risked injury to themselves by attempting lifesaving actions during a disaster response.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the Department is investing $63 million to bring high-speed internet access to people living and working in rural areas in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Mississippi. Today’s investments include funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides a historic $65 billion to expand reliable, affordable, high-speed internet to all communities across the U.S.

WASHINGTON, February 15, 2023 – “The nomination of Xochitl Torres Small to serve as Deputy Secretary reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to rural prosperity, advancing equity, and making USDA the best place to work. As Under Secretary for Rural Development, Torres Small has been an exemplary member of the USDA subcabinet and a dedicated advocate for rural communities.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is providing $262 million to improve access to jobs, health care and infrastructure for people in historically underserved communities across the Rural Partners Network (RPN).

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2023 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced former Vice President Al Gore as an opening keynote speaker at the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) Summit on May 8-10, 2023, in Washington D.C. The AIM for Climate Summit will bring together partners to increase and accelerate investment in and support for climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 13, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making funding available for agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the plenary speakers for the 2023 Agricultural Outlook Forum, themed “U.S. Agriculture: Seeds of Growth Through Innovation.” The event will be held in person February 23-24 at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va., and all sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform. At the opening plenary session, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will give remarks […]

NEW ORLEANS, February 13, 2023 – As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to making Western communities more resilient to the impacts of drought and climate change, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new investments and strategies to help farmers and ranchers conserve water, address climate change and build drought resilience in the West, supported in part by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2023 – The American agricultural sector posted its best export year ever in 2022 with international sales of U.S. farm and food products reaching $196 billion, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today. Final 2022 trade data released earlier this week by the Commerce Department shows that U.S. agricultural exports increased 11 percent, or $19.5 billion, from the previous record set in 2021.