USDA Latest

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. This committee recommends solutions to challenges faced by minority farmers and ranchers, and is part of USDA’s commitment to advance equity for all, especially for farmers and producers in underserved communities. The Committee is administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that beginning in April it will provide approximately $123 million in additional, automatic financial assistance for qualifying farm loan program borrowers who are facing financial risk, as part of the $3.1 billion to help distressed farm loan borrowers that was provided through Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The announcement builds on financial assistance offered […]

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that assistance is available for communities and agricultural producers affected by the severe weather and tornado that tore through Mississippi on March 25. “My thoughts and prayers are with all who have lost loved ones in the terrible tornadoes in Mississippi and with the communities who must rebuild their homes and businesses,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. […]

Denver, Colorado, March 23, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today met with the leaders of the state Departments of Agriculture for the seven Colorado River Basin states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) to discuss the challenges faced by farmers and ranchers as a result of the historic and ongoing drought affecting the region. During the meeting, Secretary Vilsack highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments in the […]

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2023 – Starting with the May 12, 2023, release (issue No. 636), the following change will be made to the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report: The wheat WASDE by-class tables (page 11) will add separate lines for imports, food use, seed use, and feed and residual use. Sample WASDE tables, including the revised table, are available on the WASDE website.

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2023 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture announced several actions to expand support for and access to the school meal programs, including awarding $50 million in grants that will increase collaboration between schools, food producers and suppliers, and other partners to develop nutritious, appetizing school meals for kids.

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement in celebration of the annual National Agriculture Day: "On this 50th National Ag Day, we recognize the contributions of American farmers, farmworkers, ranchers, forest landowners, and all agricultural producers in providing our nation – and this world – with its food, fuel, and fiber.

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2023 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is investing $197 million in 100 project proposals benefiting 22 states and seven tribes, as part of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program.

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of up to $9.5 million for Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) pilot projects for fiscal year 2023. The cooperative agreements support projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. They are part of USDA’s broader efforts to support urban agriculture.