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USDA Science Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Meet Luz

National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, is a time to celebrate the rich history, cultural diversity, and contributions from Hispanic communities. USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area is home to over 8,000 of the world’s best and brightest minds in agricultural science, data, and innovation. This month, REE is spotlighting several brilliant colleagues who are pioneering change at USDA and within their communities.

Sarah Vogel: Midwestern Attorney Supporting Family, Women, and Native American Farms

Known as the Farmer’s Lawyer, Equity Commission Agriculture Subcommittee member Sarah Vogel has been vocal on issues impacting rural and Tribal communities; farmers who are young, new, and beginning; women; and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and farmworkers. Vogel became passionate for those involved in the agriculture industry through her upbringing in North Dakota where the linkage between family farms and the vitality of small towns is strong. Over the past two years, Vogel has been integral in ensuring the voice and needs of underserved people are heard, even urging USDA to bring the Equity Commission to Bismarck, North Dakota.

Meet USDA Liaison Herminia Gomez

Herminia Gomez serves as a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) liaison, working closely with Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the Northeast. HSIs are colleges and universities where the total Hispanic enrollment is at least 25% of the total student population. USDA partners with these institutions to connect students, faculty and staff with professional development, workforce development and educational opportunities.

The Southern Region Grows a Delicious Slice of the Nation’s Agricultural Pie

The Southern Region of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, is home to nearly 144,000 farming operations that produce a variety of commodities. Agriculture is deeply rooted in the region and has shaped it into an area known for its warm hospitality and delicious comfort food. What better embodies Southern hospitality than a freshly baked slice of pie?

USDA Enhances Market Coverage in Retail Outlets

Each week USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) publishes a series of retail reports through our Market News service that reflect advertised prices for products being featured to consumers at grocery stores across the country. We recently transitioned our retail reports covering red meats, poultry, and eggs to the My Market News platform, which allows users to filter and customize the information to meet their individual needs. This is part of an ongoing effort to modernize the AMS market reporting data collection and delivery system to improve the customer experience.

Unlocking a Workforce Superpower: L'Tonya Davis Reveals How Innovation Through Inclusion Drives Success at VBA Symposium

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is advancing its leadership in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) across the federal sector. On August 22, 2024, L'Tonya Davis, USDA’s first permanent Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, addressed HR professionals at the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Training for Excellence Symposium. This year’s event, themed "To the Stars and Beyond," focused on equipping 1,000 HR leaders with the skills needed to address the evolving needs of the nation’s Veterans.