USDA no está hablando solamente, sino que también toma medidas para ayudar a los hispanoamericanos. El Departamento puso un pie al frente hoy cuando el Secretario de Agricultura Federal Tom Vilsack y Sandra V. Serrano de la Asociación Hispana de Colegios y Universidades, firmaron un Acuerdo de Entendimiento que creará nuevos programas y otras actividades. Este acuerdo mejorará la educación de los hispanoamericanos para que sigan una carrera relacionada en el campo agrícola.

El acuerdo demuestra el esfuerzo que hace USDA en ayudar a los hispanoamericanos a tener una educación de excelencia mediante la colaboración con la Asociación Hispana de Colegios y Universidades (AHCU) para desarrollar un programa entre USDA y las Instituciones Educativas Hispanas. Read more »

USDA isn’t just talking, but taking action to help Hispanic Americans. The department stepped forward today as Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Sandra V. Serrano of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will build programs and other activities to help further the education of Hispanic Americans and contribute to the commitment of preparing America’s young people to pursue careers in agriculture.

The agreement highlights USDA’s dedication to helping Hispanic Americans achieve educational excellence by collaborating with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to develop a USDA and Hispanic-Serving Institutions agenda. Read more »

Last week, I was in South Carolina to see some of the work being done by USDA’s scientists at the U. S. Vegetable Laboratory, where researchers strive to improve vegetable yields and quality. Any chef will tell you great meals begin with high quality ingredients, and nutritionists will add that a colorful meal is a nutrient-dense meal.  On my way to the lab, I stopped at a place that is focused on that good food equation, especially using locally sourced produce: The Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College. Read more »

Secretary Vilsack believes there is no more fundamental function of government than protecting consumers, and there is no mission more important to USDA than ensuring the safety of our food. Prevention is our single greatest priority here, so this week the Department announced new performance standards aimed at reducing the occurrence of Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria in chickens and turkeys.  Within two years of implementing these standards, approximately 5,000 cases of Campylobacter illnesses and 20,000 cases of Salmonella illnesses will be prevented annually.

While the poultry industry has made significant strides in recent years, far too many Americans continue to fall victim to these foodborne illnesses – FSIS estimates nearly 350,000 from Salmonella and Campylobacter in poultry annually, combined. These improved standards will drive the industry to do better.  They are tough but achievable.  And when fully implemented, they can help us lower the danger of foodborne illness.