USDA Blog

The Census of Agriculture is the most complete account of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Every Thursday USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will highlight new Census data and the power of the information to shape the future of American agriculture. Alaska may be...

“Find out who your audience and users are, then figure out the best, easiest way to provide data to them.” Last week, the Obama Administration focused on a specific climate risk – the risk to the food supply – and the ways data could be used to help increase “food resilience.” The goal is to make...

Support for those affected by disasters is critical. By developing more comprehensive tools that prepare citizens and government before the next event helps. Helping communities rebuild and become more resilient to extreme weather in the future is vital. Citizens need to be able to access accurate...

The New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team is working to prevent the spread of emerging invasive species across New Jersey, and they’ve created a smartphone app to help. Using part of a 2013 Conservation Innovation Grant from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the team has released an...

In May 2014, abundant snow and rain turned Wyoming pastures and crops green. In the same month, the 2012 Census of Agriculture showed that farmers and ranchers grew their opportunities from 2007 to 2012. Wyoming is one of only 10 states that increased both the number of farms and ranches, up 6.1...

The Google+ Hangout with D/S Harden today has been temporarily postponed -- stay tuned. In February 2014, President Obama signed the new Farm Bill into law. But what does that mean for you as a new farmer or rancher? What’s new about this Farm Bill and what programs can you use? What questions...

During the month of April we will take a closer look at USDA’s Groundbreaking Research for a Revitalized Rural America, highlighting ways USDA researchers are improving the lives of Americans in ways you might never imagine, like innovative ways to make food safer. More than 90 percent of American...

Over the last few decades, food safety has been marked by profound social, economic and political evolutions and technological breakthroughs such as 3D printing of food and the adoption of laboratory testing for pathogens. Laboratory testing for pathogens continues to evolve with the advancement of...

On Jan. 14, 2014, nearly 400 people participated in the second annual “Safety Datapalooza” at USDA headquarters. The event, hosted by the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy and Office of Public Engagement, U.S. Department of Transportation and USDA, recognized innovators from the...

Oregon, home to the nation’s first border-to-border electric highway, continues its emergence as the ultimate travel destination for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. The Forest Service, the Oregon Department of Transportation and their partners recently unveiled America’s first EV fast-charger...