The Farm Journal Foundation has asked key panelists to discuss global food security and agriculture policies during the “Global Food Security Forum” today at the World Ag Expo. The discussion will focus on balancing the challenges of feeding a growing population and developing policy to ensure food security. “I’ve met many inspirational farmers from around the world, and while the … Read More
USDA Announces Additional 2016 CRP Funding
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack yesterday afternoon announced $150 million in funding is available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for agricultural producers. During the 2016 fiscal year, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to add an estimated 10 million acres to the rolls of CSP. “The Conservation Stewardship Program is one of our most popular programs with producers … Read More
USDA Awards $30.1 Million in Food Security Projects
The USDA and the Food Research Initiative (AFRI) have made possible $30.1 million to fund research projects pertaining to food safety, antibiotic resistance, and resilience of plants facing climate change. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and President Obama’s Science and Technology Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. John P. Holdren recently announced that, after … Read More
Open Climate Data Strengthens Food Supply
The USDA-Microsoft Innovation Challenge was crated in response to the President’s Climate Data Initiative in the hopes of utilizing climate data to protect America’s food supply. The USDA offered contestants more than 100 years of crop and climate data through the Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform. Now Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Microsoft officials have announced the winners . Winners were … Read More
ARS Genebank Will Preserve Bee Genetic Diversity
With the nation’s beekeepers continuing to face problems with honeybee loss, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is creating a national bee gene bank to preserve the genetic diversity of bees. Of special interest are traits resistant to pests or disease and pollination efficiency. The new genebank will also be a resource for the ARS and others interested in researching better bee breeds. … Read More
USDA Provides $9M For Mitigation Opportunities
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, create, or enhance wetland ecosystems, broadening the conservation options available to farmers and … Read More
USDA Expands Conservation Efforts In Iowa
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced this week a series of new efforts to help Iowa’s farmers and livestock producers conserve water and soil resources and improve nutrient management practices on the state’s 30 million acres of farmland. Vilsack said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will expand access to USDA’s signature conservation programs for Iowa producers, making available up to … Read More
USDA Lists 2015 Achievements
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has released a list of USDA’s top achievements in 2015 in the areas of conservation, energy, research, rural development, and more. “Even with challenges in 2015, including an unprecedented animal disease outbreak and lower commodity prices, America’s rural communities have proven once again that we are a nation of makers, creators and innovators, and our economy … Read More
USDA to Assess Honey Bee Health
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be gathering information in the coming month to assess the health and quantity of honey bee colonies. The survey will cover honey production and stocks and costs to farmers of pollination services. The numbers will be used to establish baseline data that can be used to establish further goals, … Read More
USDA Planning GMO Labeling Stakeholder Meeting
In the new year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack plans to bring stakeholders in the genetically engineered food labeling debate to the table to reach common ground on the issue. “I intend to, after the first of the year, convene a meeting of folks who have been reaching out to me,” said Vilsack. “These are not necessarily Senators or members of … Read More