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Zakiah Goodlow, an Alabama native and sophomore at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (A & M), credits the USDA 1890 National Scholar Program and USDA liaisons with helping her balance her many responsibilities. “[They] encourage me to enjoy the program,” she said. “They check in with me and make sure I’m doing okay.”

Each day U.S. farmers and ranchers make thousands of management decisions, ranging from when and what to plant to weighing options for conserving their operation’s natural resources. They depend on an array of experts, research and data to inform these decisions. One of their sources is the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA’s primary private lands conservation agency.

Arionne Patterson has come a long way since learning about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 1890 National Scholars Program during a presentation hosted at her high school in Fresno, California. As a result of pursing her agricultural dreams and the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, Patterson obtained her Agriculture Business degree at Prairie View A&M University and her master’s degree at Purdue University.

As part of its ongoing work, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will hold its next public meeting on January 19, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. Convened jointly by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, the committee will hear updates from each subcommittee and discuss progress made since the third public meeting. Topics will include protocol development, evidence review and synthesis, draft conclusion statements, and plans for future committee work, including development of the committee’s scientific report.

When farming in urban environments, whether in-ground or using innovative production, one of the biggest challenges can be navigating local statutes, zoning, permitting and land use regulations. For growers, understanding legal access to land and water, as well as local policies is critical.

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration and delicious food! Celebrating the holidays on a budget does not mean sacrificing flavor or tradition. With a little ingenuity, you can create delicious, festive meals that celebrate the spirit of the season without compromising on flavor or nutrition. Let's explore some satisfying MyPlate holiday recipes that respect your wallet and contribute to a memorable feast!

If you are involved in the agriculture sector, you probably know about USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). NASS is recognized as a world leader in the field of agricultural statistics, and their reliable and timely data show the most accurate picture of agriculture in America and the people powering it.

December is a festive time of year with twinkling lights, fresh baked goods and meaningful get-togethers with our loved ones. However, planning menus that meet guests’ dietary restrictions, sticking within your holiday budget, and ensuring safe food practices, can be overwhelming. That’s why Nutrition.gov launched a Healthy Holidays webpage with resources so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday season. On this new webpage, you can find information on:

November is Native American Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate Native American history and culture while also exploring the ongoing contributions, achievements, and hardships of Native people in the United States. This month’s theme, Indigenous Foods: The Intersection Between Land, Food, and Culture, highlights a challenge that many Native Americans face—food insecurity. USDA recognizes this and the importance of empowering Native Americans by building back sustainable food systems that strengthen food security and increases their control over Native agriculture and food systems.