USDA Provides Funding to Cooperators for Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention
WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will support 321 projects in all 50 states, plus American Samoa and Guam, that help to prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests and diseases threatening U.S. agriculture and the environment. The funding, totaling $50 million, is provided by Section 10201 of the 2008 Farm Bill.
Secretary Vilsack Names Members to the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching
WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012--Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of members to the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching, a committee created to advise him on ways to eliminate barriers to participation for Native American farmers and ranchers. The Council is being appointed as part of the Keepseagle settlement.
USDA Proposes Additional Steps to Fight Fraud and Enhance SNAP Integrity
WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 - Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced new measures to further reduce fraud in USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the Obama administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste. The new measures will help root out waste, fraud and abuse so that federal dollars are invested wisely by giving states new tools to examine excessive requests for replacement benefit cards. Current law lacks needed flexibility for States to contact households for information about requests for multiple replacements, which in some cases may indicate fraudulent activity.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces New and Expanded Access to Credit for America's Farmers and Ranchers
RICHMOND, Va., May 23, 2012– Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made substantial, year-over-year gains in expanding credit opportunities for farmers and ranchers across the United States. The increase in farm and operating loans has helped improve farmer and rancher productivity, launched new start-up operations, and ensured opportunities in agriculture for many more Americans. With expanded access to credit, USDA is helping a new generation of farmers sustain and build upon what is now the most productive period in history for American agriculture. To that end, Vilsack announced the Department is seeking comments on a new microloan program to help small and family operations progress through their start-up years with needed resources, while building capacity, increasing equity, and eventually graduating to commercial credit.
USDA and Partners to Invest Nearly $32 Million in Mississippi River Basin Water Quality and Wetlands Projects
WASHINGTON, May 22, 2012 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its partners will invest nearly $32 million this year in financial and technical assistance for five water quality and wetlands improvement projects in seven Mississippi River Basin states. When fully implemented, the projects will prevent sediment and nutrients from entering waterways, decrease flooding and improve bird and fish habitat. NRCS estimates that this investment will restore 11,400 acres to wetland habitat.
Obama Administration to Hire 20,000 Young People for Summer Work on Public Lands
WASHINGTON, and SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS, CA, May 18, 2012 – In response to President Obama’s call to expand opportunities for summer employment for young people and connect them with the great outdoors, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley today highlighted summer work opportunities for more than 20,000 young people, ages 15-25, in national forests, national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Visits California to Promote Healthy Food Access
WATSONVILLE, Calif., May 18, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today joined leaders from the produce industry at Driscoll’s Berries farm to promote healthy food access and to highlight a new report that underscores that fruits and vegetables are an affordable part of a balanced diet.
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