USDA Blog

USDA and the Corporation for National and Community Service mark Thanksgiving With a Call to Service

2009-11-24T10:14:27-06:00

This week, as families across America prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Obama Administration is asking Americans to think about their neighbors who are struggling to put food on the table. Although we are the richest nation in the world, the food security report released last Monday by USDA’s Economic Research Service indicates that hunger is a serious and growing problem in the United States. In 2008, more than 49 million people, including more than 16 million children, were at risk of going hungry in America, up from 35 million in 2007.

President Obama and Secretary Vilsack have made addressing the issue of hunger in America a high priority of this Administration. For example, the President has committed to ending childhood hunger in this country by 2015. Secretary Vilsack recently stated that “it is time for America to get very serious about food security and hunger.”

In addition to government efforts, however, we must also work together to address the problem in our own communities. The families, children and individuals that worry about where their next meal will come from, or have to skip a few meals, could live right next door to you. Everyone has a role to play. In this spirit, the Corporation for National and Community Service is launching the United We Serve: Feed a Neighbor initiative this week in collaboration with the White House and USDA. The purpose of the initiative is to raise public awareness of hunger issues and ask Americans to help ensure that their neighbors have access to nutritional food this winter and throughout the year.

There are many ways for Americans from all walks of life to help combat hunger through service. Serve.gov allows visitors to search for local volunteer opportunities. In addition, the USDA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships has prepared a volunteer toolkit in conjunction with the Food and Nutrition Service. This toolkit outlines a wide variety of opportunities and resources that can help ordinary people fight hunger in their communities.

You can access the toolkit online here. As we think about everything we are thankful for this week, let us also remember those who are less fortunate, and do what we can to help end hunger in America.

Health and Physical Activity: Priorities for Every Season

2009-11-24T08:38:59-06:00

I have also had the opportunity to learn about all the terrific work USDA is doing to encourage a healthy eating and active lifestyle for America's children. As a professional athlete, I am very concerned with nutrition and exercise in my own life and believe it is important to promote their importance to our nation's youth.

At a meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, right next to the White House, I spoke with representatives from multiple federal agencies about increasing opportunities and participation in youth sports across the country.

USDA is working hard as a leader in child health, by encouraging and facilitating both healthier eating habits and more active lifestyles. I think this is a great initiative and was excited to participate in a discussion with people from other government agencies on the issue. I played soccer, basketball and baseball as much as I could when I was younger. Without these opportunities, I probably never would have become a Major League Baseball player.

USDA has a program called the HealthierUS Schools Challenge to recognize schools that excel in fostering healthy eating and physical activity among students. Last week I accompanied First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to Hollin Meadows Elementary School, which received a Silver Star from the Challenge.

At Hollin, First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary Vilsack met with teachers, parents, students and administrators - and I met with students at the school to learn about their athletic and nutrition programs that make the school such a success. I also met the First Lady - and reminded her that we have a connection because we both went to college at Princeton University. They were both very engaging and encouraged an interesting and informative dialogue. The children really responded to their talk about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles.

I have several interesting tours lined up over the next couple of weeks, while I also work on putting the finishing touches on my projects here at USDA. I hope all of the readers out there have a great Thanksgiving!

Ross Ohlendorf, a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is spending part of his off-season at the United States Department of Agriculture. A graduate of Princeton University, he is spending eight weeks as an intern with USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

In-patient Hospice Care Close to Home

2009-11-23T10:53:03-06:00

I recently had the pleasure of participating in a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Steve Richard, President/CEO, SUN Home Health and Hospice and otherstakeholders, for a new hospice center located within the Sunbury Hospital. USDA Rural Development awarded Sun Home Health Services, Inc. $99,500 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Rural Business Enterprise Grant funding to create a six-bed inpatient hospice unit within the hospital. Terminally ill cancer patients in Central Pennsylvania now have an alternative to travelling 30–150 miles to an urban area for short-term in-patient hospice care.

I was pleasantly surprised by the homelike atmosphere of the unit. Unlimited family visitation, where even small pets are allowed, and comfortable surroundings create a special place where patients and families can continue to receive the special care of hospice.

For instance, the first patient, admitted on October 8, 2009, was able to remain in a home like setting while professionals provided advanced symptom management and pain control in the new unit. Like many other terminally ill cancer patients, he has chosen hospice care so that he can remain in his home and close to family members. He was able to receive a higher level of care when it was needed, close to home, and then return home quickly.

It is anticipated that over 200 patients and their families will receive services annually for a brief period of time while they need special services at the end of life’s journey. Prior to the opening of Sun Home Health Care Center, the closest in-patient hospice facilities were too far away for a terminally ill patient wishing to be close to his home and family.

SUN Home Health and Hospice has been serving the community since 1969 and began providing hospice care in 1981 as part of its comprehensive community health mission. During that time the organization’s team of healthcare professionals and community volunteers have touched the lives of thousands of individuals and families. I am very proud that USDA Rural Development was able to financially support this much needed inpatient hospice care unit in Pennsylvania.

Thomas P. Williams, Pennsylvania State Director, USDA Rural Development

First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary Tom Vilsack Visit HealthierUS School Award Winner

2009-11-18T19:27:16-06:00

This morning Secretary Tom Vilsack joined First Lady Michelle Obama at Hollin Meadows Elementary School to recognize their Silver Meadal achievement in the US HealthierUS School Challenge.

USDA established the HealthierUS School Challenge as a way to recognize schools that are creating healthy school environments by promoting good nutrition and physical activity. Silver Medal winners offer a different fruit every day and fresh fruit at least one day per week, as well as have at least 70 percent average daily participation for lunch.

The First Lady and Secretary Vilsack passed out fresh fruit to students before joining other classes in the garden for a fall harvest.

Students at Hollin Meadows enjoy gardens planted by parents five years ago not only during recess, but also during class. Science classes learn about hydroponic plant growth, math classes measure creatures living in the gardens and students plant peanuts as they learn about Virginia history.

Merrigan Addresses Global Agricultural Leaders

2009-11-18T16:26:29-06:00

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan today kicked of the 36th Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations – the first woman to hold this role and the first time the United States has chaired the Conference in 20 years.

As Merrigan welcomed top agricultural officials from throughout the world, she highlighted the Obama Administration’s commitment to advancing global food security and improving agricultural productivity. She also noted her past work for FAO to advance organic agriculture internationally, and urged her fellow leaders to build on past efforts and prioritize organic agriculture as one step to meet global ecological and environmental challenges.

See Merrigan’s opening remarks:

“The conference this year comes at a critical time following the World Summit on Food Security. President Obama has committed the United States to a whole-of-government approach to tackle the problem of global food security. The United States will work with Members as we move forward with this important effort.

“My government fully supports the FAO and its mission. We believe the FAO reform process underway provides a unique opportunity to move the organization into a more relevant, focused, and effective organization and we reaffirm our commitment and dedication to the faithful implementation of the FAO’s Immediate Plan of Action.

This endeavor will greatly enhance FAO’s contribution to agriculture development and global food security.

“The FAO’s mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, improve agricultural productivity, promote rural development and, ultimately, provide all people at all times with access to the food they need for an active and healthy life, is extremely important to the United States.

“It has been 20 years since the United States last chaired this ministerial conference. But, I am not a stranger to FAO. My association with FAO began 10 years ago, when, as an expert consultant, I assisted FAO staff in drafting the Committee on Agriculture paper on organic agriculture, adopted at the 30th session of the Conference.

“Since that time, organic agriculture has grown substantially in my country and around the world. In the United States, more than 2 million hectares and over 10,000 certified producers are involved in organic agriculture.

“There have been some important efforts by FAO on organic agriculture, including the FAO–led organic standards harmonization effort and the 2007 FAO meeting in partnership with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements on organic agriculture and food security.

“However, after 10 years, the organic program is neither mainstreamed in the FAO program of work nor in the FAO budget. Even the very small amount of central funds given to the interdepartmental working group on organic agriculture may soon disappear.

“As someone with a deep interest in this subject, I would like to see the importance of organic agriculture and its role in agro-ecology elevated within the FAO scope of work.

“The Agenda before us calls for decisions that will have a lasting impact on the future of our Organization. Given that we have only five and a half days to do this, I call on your cooperation and understanding to ensure we make the best use of our time to make wise and forward-looking decisions for the good of this Organization and its mission.”

60th Anniversary Telecom Programs and Award of Community Connect Grants Observed in Hurley, Virginia

2009-11-18T14:39:17-06:00

It was exciting to have Congressman Rick Boucher, 9^th District of Virginia and the Deputy Administrator for USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities programs, Jessica Zufolo join me last week in Hurley, Virginia for an awards ceremony. The event highlighted the funding of three Virginia rural community broadband projects and the 60^th anniversary of the involvement of USDA in providing Telecommunication infrastructure improvements to rural America.

I am proud to say that Southwest Virginia will be receiving Community Connect Grants totaling over $2.4 million dollars that will help purchase and install high speed internet equipment to the rural communities of Hurley, Carbo and Grant. Working with the Rural Utilities Service Virginia Field Representative Richard Jenkins; Paul Gearheart from Inter Mountain Cable, Michael Maynard from the Wired Road Authority and Thomas Kurien from Almega Cable were successful in their pursuit of this USDA Funding. Certificates of Appreciation were provided to each cable service at the ceremony. As a result of this assistance, cable customers in these three areas will soon have high speed internet service available, improving educational and business opportunities.

Starting with a farm family receiving its first in home telephone in the 1950’s, to the rural household now being able to run an international business from a home office, USDA continues to play an important role in bringing new modern telecom services to rural Virginia.

Virginia has been very successful over the years in delivering new technology to rural areas of the state. Since the inception of the programs, over $10 million dollars has been provided in our State for Distance Learning and Community Connect Grants. Other key achievements in Virginia include the Telemedicine System currently being operated by the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. This state-of-the-art system allows medical specialists at the UVA Medical Center to perform detailed medical examinations of patients in over 20 rural clinics mainly in remote Southwest Virginia. Without this service, these patients would have to travel for many hours over challenging roads to obtain advanced medical care.

By Ellen M. Davis, Virginia State Director, USDA Rural Development

USDA Recovery Act Funding Improves Water Quality in Eastern Shore Community

2009-11-17T14:25:55-06:00

In addition to providing quality jobs, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is improving antiquated infrastructure in rural America. For example, Jonestown, East of Easton on Maryland’s Delmarva Peninsula, is about to receive a long-needed upgrade to its water system.

On November 16th it was my privilege to join U.S. Senator Ben Cardin to meet residents of Jonestown’s Nelpine Heights subdivision, and to present a plaque to longtime resident Mable Friend, who has worked for 15 years to improve the quality of the tap water in her area. Thanks to her efforts, with assistance from the State, county and USDA Rural Development, the 22 homes in the subdivision along with the rest of the homes in Jonestown, will be hooked up to a new water system, which replaces an antiquated system and a number of shallow private wells. When the project is finished, 100 homes will have safe, reliable tap water. The $1.6 million project is made possible in part with $285,000 in USDA grant funds and a $95,000 low interest loan through ARRA, with the rest of the funding coming from Caroline County and the State of Maryland.

In order to highlight the funding announcement, we gathered at Coppins A.M.E Church, which has, through the involvement of its congregation, played an important role in securing the funds. We also announced the provision of $6.9 million in Recovery Act funds to the Commissioners of Sudlersville. Those funds will also be used to improve a water and wastewater system. I am proud that USDA Rural Development, through the Recovery Act, is able to provide affordable water system upgrades for Maryland communities, and I am pleased that Senator Cardin, who chairs the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, joined us in Jonesville to make this important announcement. As the Senator said, shoring up our aging water infrastructure is critical to creating and saving jobs that will help restore our nation’s economic growth.

Jack Tarburton, USDA Rural Development State Director, Delaware/Maryland

Secretary Vilsack: Addressing Child Hunger and Improving Health

2009-11-17T12:12:05-06:00

Today I testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Environment on the important issue of the upcoming reauthorization of the Department’s Child Nutrition Programs. We have a great opportunity right now to combat child hunger and improve the health and nutrition of children across the country, and we cannot let this moment pass us by.

From my first day as the Secretary of Agriculture, President Obama tasked me with improving the health and wellbeing of America’s children. We have made great strides in making progress towards these goals and raising awareness of this important issue - but we can do better. One out of every three children in America is either obese or overweight and our latest data show that over 12% of children ages 2-5 are obese. Moreover, families are struggling to provide their children food to eat. Yesterday we released the 2008 “Household Food Security in the United States” report showing that in over 500,000 families with children in 2008, one or more children simply do not get enough to eat--they had to cut the size of their meals, skip meals, or even go whole days without food at some time during the year.

The report is a wake-up call for us to get serious about food security, hunger and nutrition in this country. This is an incredibly sobering reminder of the challenge we face in confronting hunger and nutrition in the richest nation on earth. We play a critical role in contributing to the health and wellness of our nation’s future. The National School Lunch Program serves 31 million school children in more than 100,000 schools across the country. The School Breakfast Program is available in over 88,000 schools and about 11 million children participate on an average day.

This legislation can improve access by ensuring food programs reach children when and where they need it. The nutritional quality of school meals and the focus on health in schools is equally important. Children consume too many empty calories each day; we can promote more nutritious school meals through competitive grants and offer interim performance bonus programs for schools showing voluntary improvements.

The reauthorization proposal of an additional $10 billion over ten years is a significant opportunity for us to address hunger, obesity and nutrition in one stroke. We are committed to combating hunger and providing healthier foods to our nation’s future through modernized programs. Just as teachers inspire and parents encourage our children, we must embrace this opportunity to provide America’s children with the healthy foods they need to grow and learn.

- Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack

“Prepared in Mind and Resources” – More Than Just a State Motto

2009-11-17T07:49:17-06:00

Spinach Salad with Sliced Egg, Warm Bacon Dressing and Crumbled Clemson Blue Cheese
Tilapia Filet with a Shrimp Mornay Sauce
Sweet Potato au Gratin with Goat Cheese and Apples
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Apple Cobbler with Fresh Whipped Cream

In addition to being delicious, there is one thing each of these menu items has in common – they were all made from locally provided ingredients from South Carolina and were highlight of the 2009 Agribusiness Summit hosted by the Palmetto Institute.

Deputy Secretary Merrigan was the keynote speaker at the lunch who was quick to highlight the importance of locally grown and raised foods for the future of agribusiness and the economy of South Carolina.

The Palmetto Institute is a nonprofit think tank with the goal of bolstering per capita income in South Carolina. After its founding in 2001, the Institute commissioned a study to assess economic conditions in the state. The resulting research showed that agribusiness is the state’s leading economic engine, contributing about $34 billion to South Carolina’s economy. The Institute and the South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers used the summit to launch a new initiative, “The Drive to 50 by 20.” By accelerating its momentum, SC agribusiness has the potential to grow to $50 billion by the year 2020.

Deputy Secretary Merrigan addressed the crowd of approximately 200 people representing a cross-section of South Carolina agriculture, including farmers, business leaders and bankers.
She emphasized the importance of trade and opening new markets to South Carolina’s products and stressed that local and regional food systems is considered a big part of these new opportunities.

In a fitting with the ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ theme, we had the chance to meet the young farmer responsible for growing the delicious rainbow chard. From farm to plate, South Carolina is leading the way and setting an example for the future of agribusiness.

USDA Report Monitors Food Security Among U.S. Households

2009-11-16T11:14:23-06:00

For some Americans, making ends meet is a struggle even in a strong economy. These households at times have difficulty meeting their food needs and can’t always afford enough food to get them through the month, or the week. During economic downturns, these situations become more common and more serious.

Each year since 1995, USDA has monitored the level of food security -- consistent access to adequate food for an active, healthy life. Since 2000, we’ve been authors of the annual report on food security published by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) with the collaboration of the Food and Nutrition Service. Today we released our report covering 2008. It was a year of economic downturn, and we saw the number of U.S. households classified as food insecure reach the highest level recorded since 1995.

In 2008 the number of food-insecure households grew to 17.1 million, or 14.6 percent of all households, up from 11.1 percent the previous year. Among households with children, the percentage increase was larger – from 15.8 percent in 2007 to 21 percent in 2008.

Our numbers include a subset of households that experienced more frequent and severe food insecurity, which we call very low food security. In these households, the food intake of some household members was actually reduced, and normal eating patterns are disrupted. In 2008, these households amounted to 5.7 percent of U.S. households, up from 4.1 percent in 2007.

We’re also seeing the recession reflected in the 2008 expenditures on USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (formerly the Food Stamp Program); at $37.7 billion, expenditures were up 13 percent from the previous year. And we’ve found that for SNAP participants, the prevalence of very low food security rose less in 2008 than among non-participants – suggesting that the food assistance programs provide a buffer against the more severe instances of food insecurity, although they can’t entirely prevent these conditions.

We view the information in the food security report as part of an overall effort to provide access to adequate, healthful food for those who need it. USDA’s food and nutrition assistance programs – programs like SNAP, and the National School Lunch Program - provide the core of the Nation’s nutritional safety net. It’s important for the people who operate these programs – and for our representatives in Congress – to have reliable data on the level of food security and the use of food and nutrition assistance programs both public and private. The information in the yearly food security reports is also used by community food providers and by private organizations that are working to alleviate food insecurity.

The ERS website contains the latest food security report, including a summary. And the December issue of ERS’s Amber Waves magazine contains an article on food security in recessionary times.

Margaret Andrews, Economist, and Mark Nord, Sociologist, USDA Economic Research Service

A Visit to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting

2009-11-13T14:06:27-06:00

On Thursday Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager participated in Trade Talk during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) convention in Kansas City.

At the six-hour trade-show-type event, the Under Secretary was interviewed by 26 different farm broadcasters representing local radio and television stations, as well as state and regional networks with a combined 730 affiliate stations all across the country. One of the interviews was conducted by Gary Jackson with ABN Radio/Buckeye Ag Radio Network.

One of the main topics he talked about was how USDA Rural Development is working to distribute funds made available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Since the start of ARRA, USDA Rural Development has announced nearly $10 billion in guaranteed loans and $322 million in direct loans to help residents buy or refinance single-family homes and helped fund nearly 500 projects to build or repair water and/or wastewater infrastructure systems in rural communities.

Funds from USDA Rural Development have also assisted with community facility projects such as libraries, childcare centers, and first responder vehicles and equipment, and helped nearly 180 rural businesses create or retain jobs through guaranteed loan and grant funds.

In the coming months USDA Rural Development will be providing $2.5 billion in ARRA funds for projects that will provide broadband services to rural communities, and will continue assisting rural businesses, communities and homeowners through numerous loan and grant programs.

By Darin Leach, Iowa Rural Development Public Information Coordinator

North Dakota to Get New Hospital Through Recovery Act Funding

2009-11-13T10:03:08-06:00

I had the pleasure of joining USDA Under Secretary Tonsager, Senator Kent Conrad, Senator Byron Dorgan and Congressman Earl Pomeroy in the ground-breaking of a new regional medical center in Jamestown, North Dakota. This project is a direct result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that President Obama signed into law in February.

Through ARRA funds, our office provided $31 million to the Jamestown Hospital project and another $15 million guaranteed loan brought our total financing to $46 million. Needless to say, the community of Jamestown is incredibly excited about their new medical facility.

The current hospital was built in 1935 and has issues of air quality, privacy and security. The USDA Rural Development financed hospital will be a state of the art medical facility that will not only serve Jamestown, but a large geographic region in east-central North Dakota.

This hospital project is the largest funding ever financed by USDA in North Dakota, and one of the larger projects ever across the country. This project came together thanks to the community of Jamestown’s vision for a better tomorrow, the expertise from our team and the leadership of the Obama administration. The new hospital is scheduled to open in 2011 and is consistent with President Obama’s vision of building Rural America and delivering top-quality health care. I was happy to play a role in an investment that will pay huge dividends for many generations of North Dakotans to come.

One of those attending the groundbreaking, in addition to the dignitaries mentioned above, was student reporter Jackie Engdahl, a senior at Jamestown High School. She interviewed Under Secretary Tonsager concerning the hospital project.

Jasper Schneider, North Dakota State Director, USDA Rural Development

Turkey Tweets and Facebook Live Chat for Holiday Food Safety

2009-11-12T10:17:40-06:00

Today USDA’s first “Turkey Tweets” campaign takes flight. Every day until Friday, Nov. 27, the Food Safety and Inspection Service will send out a fresh turkey tip via Twitter, the popular instant messaging service. The tips help you prepare a successful and safe holiday meal.

Twitter users can follow the profile @USDAfoodsafety to read all the Turkey Tweets. The tips take you day by day through buying, freezing, refrigerating, thawing, preparing, roasting and serving the bird—and, of course, to storing and eating the leftovers.

You can find all the Turkey Tweets on Twitter by searching or clicking on the #turkeytweets hashtag.

Live Facebook Chat on Safe Turkey

One week from today FSIS’s food safety education staff introduces another innovative way to connect: A live Facebook chat with Diane Van of the Food Safety Education Service. She’ll answer questions about safe holiday food prep on the USDA Facebook page on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

You can ask questions during the chat or leave them in advance on the Live Chat page.

Twitter and Facebook Join USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline & Ask Karen Services

The new Turkey Tweets and Facebook Chat join two long-standing USDA holiday food safety outreach services:

· The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline phone service, available daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, in English and Spanish. 1-888-674-6854 (Special Thanksgiving Day hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET)

· The Ask Karen “virtual assistant” service, which provides answers to common food safety questions 24/7 at www.askkaren.gov.

Serving Those Who Serve America

2009-11-10T13:56:57-06:00

This morning, I was privileged to represent USDA at a Military Families Summit hosted at the University of Maryland and organized with us by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy program. More than 300 leaders who provide support to military families – including the office of the Secretary of Defense, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, the National Guard and Reserve, land-grant universities, and other non-governmental partners – also attended the event to review the Defense Department’s commitment to family support and readiness, the status of military families, and challenges military families will experience in the future.

Why was USDA at this event in the first place? For one thing, we have more 20 years of experience in partnering with the different military branches providing educational programs and support for military youth and families on bases and installations and in local communities. In 2009, for example, more than 24,000 youth participated in 248 4-H club programs on bases and installations in the United States and around the world. These programs offer the mentorship, guidance, and restored sense of pride that many children of military parents lose when they have limited support around.

Currently, 24 extension staff members are on direct assignment with the military services providing important leadership and working in partnership with service personnel to deliver quality 4-H youth development programs; more than other 240 4-H professionals work in support of this partnership

across the United States. More than 75 Cooperative Extension staff members are working with Army bases in Texas alone to address some of the most critical needs being faced by military families (i.e., health, nutrition, financial management, and family stress). Our Extension staff, in partnership with military services, has developed nine new curricula or programs in 2009 that address important issues for military families such as health, nutrition, stress, and leadership.

DOD and military families benefit directly from an extensive cooperative extension network that spans nearly every county in the United States. The Defense Department supports these programs through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which in turn partners with several land-grant universities who work with the extension agents to provide support to military families.

Today’s Military Families Summit offered me a great opportunity to renew and reaffirm this relationship. We announced today formation of an expanded joint effort between NIFA and DOD. The partnership will focus on three overall areasa: community capacity building in support of military families, workforce development, and strengthening family, child care, and youth development programs.

As the nation this week honors the service and sacrifices of our military members – and their families – we can be very proud of the role that USDA plays in reaching out and helping those families in the United States and abroad.

Rajiv Shah is Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

South Dakota Municipal League Benefits from Recovery Act Funds

2009-11-10T10:35:56-06:00

It’s a source of pride to me that South Dakota is benefitting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that President Obama signed into law in February. As an example, the South Dakota Municipal League is breaking ground on a lot in the Teton Island Addition in Fort Pierre for new office and training space. The new facility will provide office space for six employees, plus two additional spaces to allow for future staff expansion. These federal funds will help improve services offered by the League, including trainings and meetings sessions.

This project is being built with USDA Rural Development ARRA Community Facility direct loan funds of $592,000 and a Community Facility Guaranteed loan from the state’s regular allocation in the amount of $150,000 which will be leveraged with applicant contributions for a total project cost of $1,085,000. The facility will be a leading example of energy efficiency Green design, and will provide a benchmark example for similar projects by its membership, other non-profits, or small business entities.

The South Dakota Municipal League was organized in 1934 by city officials working through the University Extension Division in the University of South Dakota. Membership in the Municipal League is voluntary, however, the quality of the services offered means 300 of the 310 cities and towns in South Dakota have had long term memberships. This training facility will be put to good use by municipal league members across South Dakota for generations to come.

Submitted by South Dakota State Director Elsie M. Meeks

USDA: A Farm Team Worth Playing For

2009-11-06T10:44:14-06:00

My first three weeks interning for USDA have been extremely interesting and enjoyable. A native of Austin, Texas, I grew up spending most weekends on my grandparents’ farm, the same farm where we currently raise Texas Longhorn cattle. Instead of returning to Austin after the baseball season, I came to Washington, DC to take advantage of this great opportunity to learn about both agriculture and the government while also making a difference.

I knew USDA played a significant role in the lives of farmers and ranchers, but I continue to be amazed by the breadth of programs and agencies here. Rural Development, for example, does amazing work in rural communities, from building hospitals to improving water supplies to increasing the availability of broadband internet. I also have a greater appreciation for USDA’s role in disease and pest control and its significant impact on the success of our country’s agricultural output and economy over the years.

In addition to learning about USDA, I have been afforded some great opportunities through my internship. This week I went to a Tribal Leaders Reception for the National Congress of American Indians. I met several interesting people, both tribal leaders and people who work in other departments of the government.

The reception was held in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. It was my first time visiting the museum and reminded me of all the great museums and government buildings in Washington, DC. I have been to a few of them now, with my favorite two being the Library of Congress and the National Archives. I’m looking forward to more great experiences in the weeks to come.

USDA Rural Energy for America Grant Helps Ensure the Continuation of Puerto Rico’s Coffee Harvest

2009-11-05T09:44:02-06:00

When most Americans think of coffee, they think of South America or Hawaii. What they may not know is that Puerto Rico has a long and significant relationship with coffee. Funds provided to a coffee plantation owner by USDA Rural Development through the Rural Energy for America (REAP) program are helping to preserve that heritage.

Coffee first came to our island in the 1700s, and was for a long time, a primary export. Some of the finest coffee in the world is produced in the central mountain range in the town of Adjuntas. A combination of high altitude, cool weather, precipitation and volcanic soil allows the growing of a coffee variety with very flavorful beans.

The one significant drawback to coffee production here in Puerto Rico is the expense of purchasing propane gas for roasters to dry and roast the beans. Recently, the owner of the Hacienda Monte Alto plantation, Jimmy Roman, came to USDA Rural Development seeking funds to buy special toaster ovens. Instead of propane, these ovens use coffee bean shells for fuel. We were able to provide a $14,000 grant to Mr. Roman and his family.

Because of this new drying system, this small family-owned plantation won’t be forced by rising fuel costs to raise the price it charges for its beans. Mr. Roman tells me that the drying system will stabilize production costs, preserving the 15 permanent and 40 seasonal jobs that the plantation supports. It is a pleasure to work with this plantation owner, Mr. Roman and his family to help ensure that a long-established custom, that of harvesting locally grown coffee, will continue and that a hard working family will continue to work the land here in Puerto Rico.

José Otero-García, USDA Rural Development State Director for Puerto Rico

Donativo del Programa de Energia Para USDA Asegura la Continuacion de la Cosecha del Café en Puerto Rico

2009-11-05T09:41:02-06:00

Cuando la mayoría de los americanos piensan en café, piensan en Sur America o Hawaii. Lo que no saben es que Puerto Rico tiene una larga tradición en la producción de café de alta calidad. Un donativo otorgado al dueño de una hacienda de café por USDA Rural Development bajo el programa de Energía Rural para America (REAP) está ayudando a conservar la tradición.

El café llego a nuestra isla en el año 1700 y fue por mucho tiempo, nuestro principal producto de exportación. Algunos de los mejores café del mundo son producidos en la zona montañosa central en el pueblo de Adjuntas. La combinación de la altura, ambiente fresco, lluvia y suelo volcánico contribuyen a que crezca una variedad de café con un sabor exquisito.

Un problema grande que tenemos en Puerto Rico es el alto costo del gas propano combustible que se usa para secar y tostar el grano del café. Recientemente, el Sr. Jimmy Román dueño de la Hacienda Monte Alto, hacienda productora de café vino a USDA Rural Development buscando fondos para comprar un horno especial para tostar café. El horno en vez de usar gas propano usa la cáscara del café como combustible. Pudimos otorgarles un donativo de $14,000 al Sr. Román y a su familia para la compra de los hornos.

Debido a este nuevo sistema de tostar el café, esta pequeña plantación familiar no va a tener que subir los precios del café por la fluctuación del precio del combustible. El Sr. Román me indicó que este sistema de tostado del café, va a estabilizar los costos de producción, preservando 15 empleos permanentes y 40 de temporada en la cosecha del café. Es un placer trabajar con el dueño de esta plantación de café, el Sr. Román y su familia y asegurarnos en continuar esta larga tradición de la cosecha del café puertorriqueño, y que esta familia pueda continuar trabajando su tierra en Puerto Rico.

Por José Otero-García, Director Estatal en Puerto Rico de USDA Rural Development.

An Informative Farm-to-School Roundtable in St. Paul

2009-11-05T09:07:40-06:00

I had the opportunity this week to participate in a roundtable discussion and tour of the St. Paul Schools’ Nutrition Services center. Joining me were local school foodservice professionals and members of the farming, distribution and non-profit community who are working to expand Farm-to-School programs in Minnesota.

The St. Paul Farm-to-School program is part of a rapidly expanding effort by school districts throughout the country to purchase locally grown food from small and mid-size farmers. Farm-to-School programs link children and local farms through cafeterias and classrooms. The programs educate kids about where and how their food is grown while introducing them to healthier, fresher foods. The programs also provide new opportunities for farms targeting local markets.

The Minnesota School Nutrition Association and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy are partnering to spearhead Farm-to-School efforts with districts across the state. St. Paul Public Schools featured a dozen local fruits and vegetables in school lunches during the first six weeks of this school year alone. During that time, St. Paul schools purchased 110,000 pounds of locally-grown produce. An impressive 56 percent of the district's total fresh produce purchases were local products. Also, listen to a Public Service News report on my visit here.

USDA has recently created a Farm-to-School Tactical Team to travel across the country to work with local and state authorities, school districts and community partners to gather and disseminate information on infrastructure and best practices for procuring local produce and implementing farm to school activities. The team is planning several visits in the weeks to come, and I look forward to reviewing their findings.

Join me today at 3pm ET for a live Facebook chat about Farms to School efforts and the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative.

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan

Merrigan Highlights Successful Farm-to-School Programs

2009-11-04T15:42:06-06:00

When we rolled out the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative back in September, a special highlight for me was the announcement of the Farm-to-School Tactical Teams. Through the leadership of Congress and the 2008 Farm Bill, schools can now use federal dollars to support their local farmers all the while providing students with fresh, wholesome foods that taste like they came from just around the corner (because they did!).

My excitement stems from the fact that I understand just how important a farm-to-school program can be. It can better connect children with their food and inspire an appreciation for agriculture and the land; it can provide a market for farmers and co-ops looking for continuity and stability; and it can generate wealth within a community and, more importantly, keep it there.

Yesterday I wrote about the Independence Community School District in northeastern Iowa and the success they’ve had in bringing local foods into their schools. Well, the connection between the school district and farmers didn’t happen overnight, and today I’d like to talk about some folks who were central to connecting local farmers to schools in another part of the country.

The New North Florida Cooperative (NNFC) has assisted farmers with networking and management skill while working with school employees on menu planning, procurement, and fresh produce storage and preparation. While there are certainly a lot of dots to connect, their efforts have paid off: more than one million students have been served fresh, local foods in 72 school districts!

This worked because of NNFC’s commitment to working with both farmers and school food service professionals. It’s already hard enough to get kids to eat fresh greens, but unless there’s someone to wash them, chop them, and incorporate them into a tasty meal, that feat is impossible. While there’s only one NFFC, the USDA’s tactical team will play a similar role in helping communities around the country bridge the gap between local farmers and students.

Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan

Tribal Nations Gather at USDA for Open Dialogue

2009-11-04T14:57:07-06:00

In celebration of American Indian Heritage Month the U.S. Department of Agriculture today reported that there are nearly 80,000 American Indian operators on 61,472 farms and ranches across the United States. This represents an 88-percent increase over the number of American Indian farmers USDA counted in 2002.

And today, Secretary Vilsack welcomed tribal leaders and members from across the country to the USDA today to participate in a forum with Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and USDA's senior leadership team. The forum was created with a goal of facilitating a dialogue between tribal representatives and the Department and to allow tribes to learn more about the wide variety of programs USDA administers.

Tribal leaders addressed a wide array of concerns and topics ranging from US Forest Service collaboration to water and utility resources in rural areas. It was a learning experience for the USDA as well as the native people of America have been working the land and practicing adaptive management techniques in agriculture for centuries.

Joe Kennedy of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe highlighted the contribution of Native American agriculture when he pointed out that two-thirds of food now in common consumption originated with native peoples and now that food – corn, beans, etc – feeds a large portion of the world.

Antone Minthorn, a Cayuse Indian representing the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, discussed the challenges of enrolling in NRCS programs due to the limited enrollment timeframes. Lands held in tribal trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs have an extended process regarding leases and the process often prevents tribes from participating in certain land resource conservation programs.

Tony Wounded Head, a council member from the Pineridge Oglala Lakota Nation, asked that the USDA provide more information on climate legislation and the potential for tribes to benefit from carbon credits. The Pineridge reservation has an unemployment rate of 85% among its 45,000 residents and he believes that carbon credits can ensure a strong future for his people.

The forum was held in advance of the White House Tribal Nations Conference.

Recovery Act Funds Provide Jobs and Help Families find Affordable Housing in Nebraska

2009-11-03T11:43:18-06:00

One of the most satisfying things about being State Director of USDA Rural Development in Nebraska is seeing in person how the Recovery Act helps our local businesses and families.

A homebuilding firm located in the community of Gering, a Nebraska town of about 8,000 was facing the prospect of having to lay off a significant number of workers because of the economic downturn. That’s when a neighborhood development agency, the city and USDA Rural Development got involved. Six lots were sold to the home building firm through a loan from the city, and an affordable home was built on each lot.

After the homes were completed, two local lenders used USDA Rural Development home loan guarantees provided through the Recovery Act to finance the purchase of three of the homes by local residents. Another buyer obtained a direct home loan from USDA.

Now that the first phase of the home building project is a success, the home building firm has purchased five additional lots and is planning to build homes on them.

It’s a mutually beneficial proposition: The Recovery Act through Rural Development provides funds for new home buyers, like Pastor Mendez and Bobbi Jo Ybarra-Mendez and family, the community increases its property tax base and a local builder keeps skilled staff on the job. What is most impressive was that a large number of community, financial and governmental organizations pitched in to make this a reality. When you get right down to it, that’s what the word “community” is all about.

Maxine B. Moul, State Director, USDA Rural Development, Nebraska

Iowa School District Stays Local for School Meals

2009-11-03T10:19:21-06:00

As we gear up for our next Facebook chat focusing on USDA’s work surrounding farm to schools efforts, I want to share with you a story that I came across in northeastern Iowa.

Kelly Duritsa, who is the School Food Service Director of the Independence Community School District in northeastern Iowa, was asking around about sourcing locally grown foods for her school breakfasts and lunches. (With USDA’s help, schools around the country provide low-cost or free meals to schoolchildren each day.) In this case, Kelly was able to link up with local farmers with the assistance of her school board, community members, and a coordinator at the local farmers market. Now she can serve fresh and local foods like sweet corn, strawberries, apples, and asparagus to her hungry students.

Of course, we here at USDA recognize that Kelly and her team had to be smart to make the leap to serving fresh and local fruits and vegetables in her schools. While it may seem like a simple, straightforward idea, this isn’t always the case. Starting with the fact that the school year and the growing season only overlap for a few months a year in most parts of the country, Food Service folk have to do serious planning ahead to make this work.

So, as we hold up the Independence Community School District as an example that others may follow, I want to invite you to join our Facebook chat on Thursday at 3pm as we discuss how we can help make local, healthy food a daily part of our children’s lives. Become a fan of the USDA on Facebook today!

USDA Celebrates Food and Nutrition at the Inaugural Fall Festival

2009-11-02T13:36:07-06:00

Halloween has passed, but here in DC the fall leaves are still beautiful despite all the rain we’ve been having--and last Friday USDA had a great end of season party.

At our first fall festival, people visited the last USDA farmers market of the season, saw cider made in our very own People’s Garden, and sampled homemade butternut squash soup. Check out photos from the event here.

Our event mirrored those happening all over the country as farmers markets become more and more popular as places to gather, buy fresh food, and where you can literally get to Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food. In fact, according USDA research, among the top five reasons that people shop at farmers markets are: access to local food, support for local agriculture, and knowing how food is produced.

While we are celebrating growth in farmers markets—more than 5,200 are operating this year—can you believe that 14 markets have been in continuous operation for more than 100 years? There are even a few markets that have been around as long as America itself. Every Friday from June to November for the last 14 years, USDA has held the outdoor market in a parking lot at its headquarters. Customers are a mix of USDA and other federal employees, tourists and people who live in the area—an average of 2,500 hundred of them each week during the peak season. Click here to find a farmer's market near you!

We’re proud of our market, and along with the General Services Administration, we’ve written a guide on how other federal agencies can start markets of their own. To access the booklet, find a farmers market in your area, and learn a lot more about farmers markets and direct marketing research, visit our Farmers Markets and Local Food Marketing website.

In contrast to the market, the People’s Garden is just finishing up its first season and the first year of the 3-year transition period to becoming certified organic. I had the pleasure of dedicating the Garden back in April, on Earth Day, and since then we have harvested more than 300 pounds of produce and donated it to the DC Central Kitchen. The Garden also provided the setting for summer-long Healthy Garden Workshops that taught people everything from how to make compost to creating window boxes.

And although our outdoor activities are winding down, we’ll start our indoor farmer's market on December 2. Who says all good things must come to an end?

- Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan

Smokey Bear and Sammy Soil Team Up for Conservation

2009-11-02T11:02:13-06:00

It was a moment some felt would never happen – at least not so spontaneously. The two mascots, the Forest Service’s Smokey Bear and the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Sammy Soil were amusing adults and children attending the final USDA Farmer’s Market of the year, when they met face to face on Jefferson Drive. The moment was a little tense as no one really new what would happen.

Would the two continue to “work the crowd” with little or no notice of each other? Would there be a perfunctory but reserved acknowledgement of each other’s presence? Sammy’s and Smokey’s handlers, other USDA agency staff, and passers-by stood and watched and waited. Photographers began capturing the chance meeting with clicking shutters and flashing strobes. Still nothing happened.

Then suddenly – like two siblings separated for years, there was a brilliant flash of recognition. Mission area strangers no more, they clasped hands and slapped each other on the back. There was an almost audible sigh of relief and then scattered applause.

The two mascots turned and faced the gathering as if to say, “We are all partners in conservation, whether on public or private lands!”

Wheat Research in Maine Rising to the Challenge

2009-11-02T10:13:50-06:00

There is nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread. Now image if bread, like wine, was valued for its “terroir” - the idea that the land where the ingredients come from impart a special flavor or essence to the final product. Well that may not be a far fetched idea if you try Borealis Breads up in Portland, Maine.

Deputy Secretary Merrigan traveled to Portland Friday to announce $19 million in funding to grantees across the country that will address critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects. Ellen Mallory of the University of Maine was one such recipient, receiving over $1.3 million in research funding for the Northern New England Bread Wheat Project. Ellen, in cooperation with University of Vermont and USDA's Agricultural Research Service, is helping local farmers produce high‐quality organic bread wheat for our region’s millers and bakers.

Maine used to be known as the 'Bread Basket of New England' until the industry collapsed. But Ellen's research is looking to revive that title by putting organic wheat back into production by local farmers. But the story gets even better – the demand for the wheat has increased so much that a local granary, Aurora Mills, opened to process the wheat into flour. This resulted in new jobs and a 2nd granary is in the works, even more jobs based on local production.

Taking the story one step further in the creation of a local/regional food system, Jim Amaral, proprietor of Borealis Breads is using the homegrown wheat in his breads. Why? Well Jim lays it out pretty clearly: breads made with Maine grain are better in quality and taste. Jim goes on to explain it is more than just better bread, it is more jobs and more business local opportunities. With over 100,000 breads made last year, Borealis is now expanding operation and Jim is confident that “100 years from now, Mainers will be eating breads made from local grain.” If there is a better example of the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative in action, we would like to see it.

Maine Public Broadcasting Network covered the event; listen to the broadcast here.

Cochran Fellowship Program Marks 25th Anniversary

2009-10-30T11:32:20-05:00

One of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) most noteworthy programs, the Cochran Fellowship Program (CFP), is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The CFP provides U.S.-based agricultural training opportunities for senior and mid-level specialists and administrators from public and private sectors concerned with agricultural trade, agribusiness development, management, policy, and marketing.

Today, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is meeting with a group of former Cochran fellows during his visit to Shanghai. The CFP has provided training to 660 Chinese fellows since 1989, including 19 in 2009 to-date and 30 in 2008. Fields of study have included food safety, meat and poultry inspection, dairy management, and plant variety and protection.

Cochran Fellows work around the world to better the agricultural situation in their respective countries. The continued success of this program is a testament to the U.S. government’s support of its trading partners by investing in people through education, technical assistance, and trade capacity building.

One of this year’s CFP plant variety and protection team members had this to say about the program: “The (Cochran) Program grants a valuable opportunity to us to learn the U.S. system and exchange opinions with our counterparts in the United States. We believe this is an excellent opportunity to enhance bilateral cooperation and understanding, and hope to have more similar opportunities in the future.”

Madam Wang Liwen, the deputy division director of the China National Feed/Feed Additive Review and Approval Committee was the team leader for the Ministry of Agriculture/Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Pet Food program this year. She believes the Cochran Program is “a special bridge connecting all agricultural and food related sectors between the United States and China.” Ms. Liwen said that during her visit to the United States, she learned a lot about the U.S. pet food regulatory system in addition to the advanced technology and management system adopted by the industry to ensure all pets have the same level of food safety as humans.

“The USDA officials, pet food industry leaders, facility managers and scientists we met are so friendly and knowledgeable to share their experience and lessons with us,” Liwen said. “I am sure the trip will facilitate pet food trade between the United States and China, and also the development of China's pet food industry.”

To learn more about the program and eligibility requirements, visit our Web site.

Enjoy Your Garden Year-Round: Try Home Canning

2009-10-30T10:32:19-05:00

This year, USDA has been encouraging folks to try local food production and consumption. The People’s Garden has been an excellent example in connecting people to where their food comes from. And many of you followed suit, planting gardens of your own.

This autumn, we hope you have reaped the benefits of your garden. But did you know that you can continue to enjoy your fresh fruits and vegetables all year long? Home canning is a great way to preserve the food you’ve grown and produced.

USDA wants to make sure you are able to can and store your garden harvests in a safe and healthy manner. The USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning has been updated to reflect the most current canning techniques. The book discusses canning equipment, ingredients and procedures and how to use them to achieve safe, high-quality canned products. It includes hundreds of canning recipes for fruits, tomatoes, vegetables, red meats, poultry, seafoods and pickles and relishes. This guide is available for purchase from Purdue University Extension by calling 1-888-EXT-INFO or you can download a pdf copy online.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has also funded the National Center for Home Food Preservation at the University of Georgia. This center was established to address food safety concerns for those who practice and teach home food preservation and processing methods. Publications and resources are available from the center, and their Web site has useful home canning seasonal tips to ensure you use proper techniques.

Home gardens are a great way to produce healthy, nutritious foods. But healthy eating isn’t just something we can do when local fruits and vegetables are in season. With these resources, you can get the nutrients you need all year round to lead a healthy life.

Biofuels Testimony

2009-10-29T14:43:33-05:00

I had a chance this morning to testify before the House Agriculture Committee about USDA’s commitment to energy security for America. I shared the spotlight for this hearing with Under Secretary Tonsager, and together we impressed on our colleagues on the Hill the great challenges we have before us in developing a new biofuels industry, and expertise and knowledge of the many people here at USDA working on this critical issue.

Congress has laid out a significant challenge to produce 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022 to power our cars, trucks, jets, ships and tractors. This is a substantial goal, but one that the United States, with the help of American agriculture, can meet or beat. However, I believe to achieve this goal we will need to expand our focus on drop-in or third generation fuels. These are biofuels that can directly substitute for gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel.

Today more than 9 billion gallons of biofuels are produced annually by first-generation biofuel technologies that turn corn grain starch into ethanol, an increase from 1% of the U.S. fuel supply in 2000 to 7% in 2008.

However, Congress in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) stipulated that only 15 billion gallons of the 36 billion can be provided by ethanol produced from grain, or what is called first-generation biofuel. This means that 21 billion gallons of biofuels will need to come from sources other than corn grain. Second-generation biofuel technologies that turn crop residue such as corn stover or dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass into ethanol, and third-generation biofuel technologies that turn these feedstocks into advanced biofuels – synthetic substitutes for gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel – will have to come rapidly into commercial use.

If we are to reach our target of 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022, we will need to change the way we do business. The U.S. has funded thousands of worthy projects, but there has been little effective integration of these efforts across government agencies, and also there has not been a focus on partnering with public and private resources to rapidly develop biofuel supply chains capable for achieving our nation’s biofuels goals. Significant parts of the supply chain have been ignored or have received too little attention such as sustainable feedstock production systems, solutions to lower the cost of biomass transport, and efforts to leverage America’s existing fuel distribution and utilization systems.

For example, the amounts of biomass and other dedicated energy crops that are needed to produce second- and third-generation biofuels basically requires creation of an entirely new agricultural commodity sector. There are many economic and environmental uncertainties to be expected as this sector emerges. We intend to focus on feedstock development for a range of second- and third-generation bioenergy crops. We will continue to work in corn – where our Agricultural Research Service scientists have made important recent discoveries in genomics. And we will build a robust research portfolio in perennial grasses (like switchgrass and miscanthus), energy cane, sorghum, and other potential dedicated feedstocks. To ensure continued genetic improvement of bioenergy crops, NIFA and DOE Office of Science have partnered to fund six projects totaling $6.3 million for fundamental science to accelerate plant breeding programs by characterizing the genes, proteins, and molecular interactions that influence biomass production.

Under Secretary Tonsager and his team have taken a leadership role in helping to ensure that people throughout rural America can contribute to building this new capability to produce and deliver biofuels to the market. Without their work in commercializing biofuels and developing markets to realize rural wealth, our research on biofeedstock development and cultivation won’t ensure the energy security biofuels can bring. Promising developments in the laboratory or inventions by a farmer or an aspiring entrepreneur will simply never see the light of day. Innovation and our ability to meet the food, fuel and fiber needs of the country will come from all sorts of places and we need to incubate those technology breakthroughs as well.

We need this now more than ever, so that we can unleash the creativity and skills of people in government, in college laboratories, in the garages of aspiring entrepreneurs, and in the R&D facilities of the private sector.

- Raj Shah, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics

Abundance is the Key Theme for Harvest-Time.

2009-10-29T13:48:56-05:00

We all come together for festivals, fun and food as the growing season comes to an end. This is the opening of the season of celebrating holidays bringing family and friends together. Our challenge is know how enjoy and deal with an abundance of food throughout out celebrations.

Abundance of food is a blessing for most Americans. Yet at the same time, given the high rate of overweight and obesity in our society, we all need to be recognize how much we eat compared to how much we need to eat. So, how do YOU figure out how much YOU actually eat? How much food do YOU need to eat? A few simple tips can help you out.

First – since everyone is different – finding the amount of food YOU need is right at your fingertips at MyPyramid.gov. The website will tell you the specific amounts (in cups and ounces) of fruits, vegetables, meat and beans, breads and cereals, and milk (or foods made from milk) you need. For example, many adults need 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables each day.

Second – Learn to estimate amounts of foods. Use common objects as visual cues. A baseball has the same volume as 1-cup and a computer mouse is equal to about ½-cup. A deck of cards is equal to 3 ounces of meat, or ½-cup of another food. Also, practice using measuring cups a couple of times to get a sense of the volume of 1-cup or ½-cup. Paying attention to the amounts of food will help you get what ‘just’ you need, instead of ‘more’ than you need.

Third – Put lower calorie foods, like fruits and vegetables, on your plate first. Eating lower calorie foods first will fill you up before you get to the dessert table. Be mindful and slowly savor every bite. You’ll probably find a little less will do just fine.

Fourth- Watch out for the hidden calories in beverages. Alternate a glass of water, or other calorie-free drink, with other beverages.

Celebrating the season abundance is a gift to ourselves. Let yourself taste and enjoy all the delectable foods of the harvest season -- without overdoing it!