2009

Vice President Biden, Secretary Sebelius, and I just concluded an event to announce the initial findings of the Food Safety Working Group. We were joined by a group of public health professionals and others interested in food safety.

Earlier this week, Secretary Vilsack rolled up his sleeves as part of the Obama administration's United We Serve summer service initiative by visiting the St. Agatha Family Empowerment Center in Chicago. Excited youngsters left a nearby playground and lined up as Secretary Vilsack helped serve lunches at the Center as part of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program.

Last Friday, USDA employees offered a “Healthy Garden" Workshop to teach area residents and visitors about ways to improve soil health in their gardens. The Workshop series will continue every Friday from noon to 12:30 p.m. through September 25, focusing on a different practical gardening skill each week. The events are held outside USDA headquarters at the ‘People’s Garden’ at the corner of 12th and Jefferson Drive SW, across from the National Mall.

On Monday, June 22, 2009, USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, read to children at the Morgan Day Care Center in Silver Spring, MD. The visit was part of President Obama’s “United We Serve” initiative program which is designed make volunteerism and community service part of the daily lives of all Americans and help build a new foundation of service, one community at a time.

Welcome to the United States Department of Agriculture’s new blog, a place where visitors can get the latest news on the work we are doing. Whether we are providing nutrition assistance, maintaining an appropriate safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers, mitigating effects of climate change, conserving our land, managing our forests, or assisting in the creation of renewable energy sources, USDA is an Every Day, Every Way department that touches the lives of every American, every day. So, we have a lot to report.

Secretary Vilsack visited Virginia today with Energy Secretary Steven Chu to discuss the many ways in which saving energy, developing green jobs and pursuing new biofuel alternatives will help to revitalize rural America.

During yesterday’s Facebook chat with Secretary Vilsack, it became obvious that there is a lot of interest in supporting beginning farmers and ranchers. USDA knows beginning farmers face unique challenges, such as high startup costs and a lack of available land for purchase or rent. These issues are important to you, and they are important to us as well.

USDA is implementing the $28 billion provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Give us your feedback and tell us how the Recovery Act is helping in your local communities. All comments will be posted within 24 hours or less.

Lively discussions and different opinions are encouraged within the bounds of respectful civil discourse. Questionable language, personal attacks, off-topic comments, and gratuitous links will either be edited or deleted. Comments are moderated and will not appear on USDA until they have been approved.