Yesterday, Secretary Vilsack and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley hosted Maryland’s fourth annual “Buy Local” cook out. The event kicked off Maryland’s “Buy Local Challenge Week” which encourages Marylanders to incorporate at least one locally-grown, produced or harvested product into their meals each day.

Governor O’Malley designated June 23-31 is “Buy Local Challenge Week” in an effort to raise awareness about the benefits of local farms and food so that the use of fresh, local products among consumers becomes more familiar and more frequent. The cookout featured recipes from 17 teams of local producers and chefs from across the State showcasing the diversity of local products available in Maryland.

For a better look at yesterday’s event in Annapolis, Maryland, check out the video below:

In June, three new menu items using U.S. chicken legs were launched at ‘Fish and Grill,’ a fusion-style bar that boasts 450 locations throughout Korea.

Through a variety of promotional activities in Korea, the U.S.A. Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) is showcasing the quality and value of U.S. poultry products and promoting the benefits of implementation of the Korea-U.S. Trade Agreement (KORUS). Read more »

At the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we are looking for new ways to help America’s producers succeed every single day. We want farmers and growers with operations of all sizes to be profitable and to make the decisions that are best for their land and their families.

We know that when agriculture is healthy and rural America is healthy, it helps support our nation as a whole.

That is why we have worked to help strengthen American agriculture by expanding markets for our goods and supporting innovation. Read more »

Pictured, from left to right: student Barbara Clark Franklin; USDA Risk Management Agency Associate Administrator Barbara Leach; and Elizabeth Wattley, Director of Servant Leadership at Paul Quinn College

As the Associate Administrator for the Risk Management Agency, I visit our offices in all parts of the country.  My recent trip to Dallas, Texas, provided an exciting look at a truly amazing agricultural program and astonishing new ideas at Paul Quinn College. Read more »