USDA Latest

WASHINGTON, January 24, 2023 – “The nomination of Margo Schlanger to serve as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights marks USDA’s commitment to advancing civil rights and equity in all of our programs and services. Throughout her life and career, she has devoted herself to civil rights and to public service. At the Department of Homeland Security, Margo served as the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and as Counsel […]

WASHINGTON, January 23, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the details of additional assistance for dairy producers, including a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP) and a new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The update to PMVAP and the new ODMAP will enable USDA to better support small- and medium-sized dairy operations who weathered the pandemic and now face […]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2023 ─ The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected 30 university students who will attend USDA’s 2023 Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF) as winners of the USDA Future Leaders in Agriculture program. These undergraduate and graduate students from land-grant, non-land-grant colleges of agriculture and Hispanic-serving institutions will receive a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., and attend the 99th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, USDA’s largest annual meeting.

WASHINGTON, January 19, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of 20 nationally recognized scientists to serve on the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (the Committee).

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2023 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced expanded efforts to reduce wildfire risk across the western U.S.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2023 — Today, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) previewed the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule. This update to the USDA organic regulations strengthens oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic products. This final rule implements 2018 Farm Bill mandates, responds to industry requests for updates to the USDA organic regulations, and addresses National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommendations.

WASHINGTON, January 17, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled a new e-application for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890s institutions to pursue food and agriculture career paths. For the first time, the new e-application for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program allows young people around the country to complete and submit their applications online. The program is administered through USDA’s Office […]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2023 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and Marc H. Morial, President of the National Urban League, announce a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reaffirm and strengthen the relationship between USDA and the historic civil rights organization. USDA and National Urban League share a common mission to enhance equity across the country, ensure access to adequate nutrition and improve quality of life for […]

Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, January 9, 2023 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service will invest $1 million to improve access to El Yunque National Forest. This investment is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensure rural communities have equitable access to the infrastructure and economic opportunities they need to grow and thrive.