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WASHINTON, March 1, 2013— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an interim rule that sets thresholds on the interest rates charged by lenders on guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans. The changes will amend guidelines for interest rates and establish new policies that...

Brookings, S.D., February 28, 2013 –Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan hosted two roundtable meetings in South Dakota this week to further USDA tribal consultation efforts and to obtain input from stakeholders on education and extension issues. During the meetings, Merrigan said USDA is...

BROOKINGS, S.D., Feb. 27, 2013—Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited South Dakota State University today to announce more than $75 million in grants for research, education and extension activities to ensure greater food security in the United States and around the world. The awards...

NEW ORLEANS, La., February 26, 2013 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced the release of a report which provides a comprehensive look at the economic role, challenges and opportunities for food hubs in the nation's growing local food movement. The announcement was made...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2013—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of 10 members to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. The Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 authorized the creation of the...

WASHINGTON, February 25, 2013- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades that there are fewer than 30 days remaining in the filing period closing March 25, 2013. "Hispanic and women farmers who...

SECRETARY VILSACK: Thank you very much. I want to thank the Deputy for that kind introduction and for her leadership on a number of issues, including the local and regional food systems, which has become an integral part of not just this conference but of agriculture and the economic opportunity in...

WASHINGTON, February 21, 2013 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced tough new measures as a part of USDA's ongoing effort to ensure integrity in the nation's nutrition safety net, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). "Where there is a will to commit...

WASHINGTON, February 21 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) today announced a new mobile application to bring its widely-read Amber Waves magazine to readers via their digital devices. Launched earlier today at USDA's 89th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2013–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement about notification received today from the Scientific Commission for the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recommending that the United States' risk classification for bovine spongiform encephalopathy...