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Promise of Broadband Expansion Coming True

December 08, 2010 Larry Dreiling, Senior Field Editor, High Plains Journal

In the days of the Great Depression, the National Recovery Act had as part of its focus the development of rural America. The primary initiatives of that era were development of electrical and telephone systems throughout the nation.

Initiatives Rural Technology

Winter Farmers Markets are Hot Despite the Cold Weather

December 08, 2010 David Shipman, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA Farmers Market Directory Counts Nearly 900 Winter Farmers Markets. The tents are up. The vendors are ready, with proud displays of local produce, meats, baked goods, and other delights. Customers are out – shopping, visiting, and mingling. It’s a typical farmers market scene, robust with fresh...

Food and Nutrition

Food Banks: A boots on the ground effort

December 08, 2010 Edward Mekeel, USDA FNS Public Affairs Specialist

I have been with the USDA for a little over six months, and have had bouts of excitement and nervousness that come with learning the ins and outs of featured programs like Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutrition initiatives. It...

Food and Nutrition

Children Explore Agricultural Science on Wheels

December 07, 2010 By Dianne Odland, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Information Staff

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from the USDA's rich science and research portfolio. Ahhh! Remember the days of taking classroom field trips? Bet you never had one like this—a virtual visit by a classroom...

Initiatives Research and Science

Texas FSA Fills Teaching Gap in School District

December 07, 2010 Cassie Bable, Texas Farm Service Agency

When Terri Trevino heard that the agriculture program in the Calvert Independent School District in Texas might be suspended due to the lack of an instructor, she immediately turned to the Farm Service Agency to fill the gap. “I knew that it was important to keep the agriculture program active...

Rural

High Hopes For High Tunnels

December 06, 2010 Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan

Cross-posted from the Let's Move! Blog: Question: What are those giant clear caterpillar looking things in the White House garden? Answer: They are high tunnels and they are another step in increasing the ability of farmers and gardeners around the nation to grow and provide healthy nutritious...

Food and Nutrition Initiatives

USDA Supports Principals and Parents at Chicago Breakfast

December 06, 2010 Alan Shannon, USDA Food & Nutrition Service, Midwest Region

While some might think that Chicagoans are only passionate about sports and pizza, they’re mistaken. In fact, lately it seems that residents of the Second City are as jazzed about the food their children eat at school as they are about their Bulls and Bears.

Food and Nutrition Initiatives

Mississippi NRCS Office Breaks Ground on Pollinator Garden

December 03, 2010 Pete Heard, NRCS National Agricultural Wildlife Conservation Center

The National Agricultural Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) in Madison, Mississippi is partnering with the city of Madison to create a pollinator garden.

Conservation

Managing the Escalating Risks of Farming

December 03, 2010 Shirley Pugh, PA Department of Agriculture

Lancaster County, PA – Dairy farmer Luke Brubaker has managed risks well enough to establish a long history of successful, and environmentally friendly farming. At age 67, however, he recognizes that now is the riskiest time he has seen.

Food and Nutrition

A Victory for Kids

December 03, 2010 Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack

When I first stepped into my role as Secretary of Agriculture, President Obama and I highlighted healthier school meals as a top priority; and today, we made great strides toward that goal with the passage of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Food and Nutrition