CAST YOUR VOTE – People’s Choice Award! Dr. Hyun Soon Lillehoj with USDA’S Agricultural Research Service is nominated for the 2015 Heyman Service to America Medals as a People’s Choice Award finalist for her innovative research to improve poultry health.
This is rock star territory for government service, and voting is open through September 30, 2015. Winners will be announced in October. Vote today! You can cast your vote here: servicetoamericamedals.org/peoples-choice/index.php
For Elsa Torres, farming is more than just a job or a livelihood. It’s an inspiration. She found a 50-acre corner lot loaded with fruit trees and wine grapes but like many beginning farmers, Elsa found it difficult to obtain financing to buy the land. After being turned down for a loan by five different banks, she contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency for help. Read more about how Elsa was able to own her farm!
The School Breakfast Program, permanently authorized in 1975, is newer than the arguably-more-renowned National School Lunch Program, established nearly three decades earlier in 1946. The Economic Research Service (ERS) illustrates the growth of the program in a new entry in its popular daily “Charts of Note” series. Learn more about the statistics that show increasing participation in the program!
This year, for the first time, the Forest Service partnered with the Green School Alliance and their principle partner the Fish and Wildlife Service in support of the Student Climate and Conservation Congress (Sc3). Sc3 brought together more than 100creative, innovative and dedicated high school students from across the country. Learn more about Sc3 and their recent meeting from June 21-27!
What’s shaking in USDA’s school meals programs? Delicious and nutritious food, that’s what! Many schools around the country have figured out creative ways to serve low-sodium meals that maximize taste. So what can you do this school year to "spice" things up and take school meals to the next level? Read more!
Indigenous people of the Andes Mountains in South America have farmed the nuña bean as a staple crop for centuries. At the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Western Regional Plant Introduction Station in Pullman, Washington, plant geneticist Ted Kisha curates an edible dry bean collection that includes 91 accessions of high-altitude nuña beans. Read more about ARS' research on the nuña bean!
A weekly look at some of the events and activities at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In this edition of USDA Week In Review: Feeding Families with the People's Garden, Back To School Food Safety, and the Salmon Cam! For more information go to: usda.gov/thisweek
When you stop on a bridge that crosses the Big Sioux River in Hamlin County, South Dakota, and look south you can see how well Donnie, Barry and Eli Little manage their cows and crops to improve soil and water quality and increase productivity. Read more about how the Littles have improved their farming operation with help from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)!
Meet Jack, a sixth-grader who is eager to become a school nutrition and fitness game changer. He is one of nearly 20,000 student ambassadors with Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60), a program launched by the National Dairy Council and NFL in collaboration with USDA. In late July, he and a select group of top ambassadors trained like athletes at the 2015 Fuel Up to Play 60 Summit in Chicago. Learn more about FUTP 60 and how it helps students like Jack!
When Minnesota farmer and conservationist Art Hulberg celebrated his 100th birthday this month, he also marked the 30th anniversary of USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)–a program in which Hulberg has participated since its inception. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini traveled to Benson, Minnesota, to offer birthday wishes and hand deliver a personal letter from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Read more!
Mothers want what is best for their children, no matter the age of the mother and child. But what happens when teenage mothers do not have the life experience or access to education to make the most informed decision? eBaby4U, a digital program run through Mississippi State University (MSU), can help. Learn more about eBaby4U!
USDA’s National Agricultural Library (NAL) has launched an online collection of historical diet and nutrition publications issued by the U.S. Government. The Historical Dietary Guidance Digital Collection (HDGDC) combines more than 900 documents representing over 100 years of history. Learn more about the Historical Dietary Guidance Digital Collection!
The following guest blog is part of our Cafeteria Stories series, highlighting the efforts of hard working school nutrition professionals who are dedicated to making the healthy choice the easy choice at schools across the country. Read more about what Tom Adam, Physical Education Teacher and Wellness Champion at Spout Springs School of Enrichment had to write!
Raquel MacSwain experiences a sense of passion and pride towards something greater than herself every time she volunteers with an organization that directly benefits others, such as serving with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as an Earth Team Volunteer. Read more about her experience with the Earth Team!
Why does someone choose to serve on a USDA board? To find out, we asked several members of one important board that very question. Read more about what the Peanut Standards Board members had to say!
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today made the following statement regarding the loss of three U.S. Forest Service firefighters near Twisp, Wash. An additional U.S. Forest Service firefighter and two Washington State Department of Natural Resources firefighters also sustained life threatening injuries.
"On Wednesday night, we received the news that three U.S. Forest Service firefighters lost their lives battling a wildfire near the town of Twisp, Washington. We mour...n the loss of the brave firefighters whose commitment to duty was so deep that they gave their own lives to protect others. We also extend our profound sympathies to the families and loved ones of the fallen, whose sacrifices are equally worthy of honor, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who are recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty. As we press on through an extraordinarily challenging wildfire season, we are reminded yet again of the perils our firefighters face as they protect communities from wildfire. Our firefighting personnel have been particularly hard hit this year and we've lost several lives. We continue to mourn for them and offer support to their families. On behalf of the American people, thank you to those who keep us safe." ~TJV
See MoreDo you have a citrus tree in your backyard? From afar it may look fine, but when was the last time you took a close look? Your tree could be hiding all kinds of clues about its health. Here are a few resources to hone your citrus sleuth skills, like our new on-line interactive tree checking tool!
The Appalachia forests are considered to be among the most diverse temperate deciduous forests in the world but mining for coal has also created a need for restoration in extensive areas of the 13 states that make up the Appalachian region. Read more about projects that are helping restore Appalachian forests, literally from the ground up!
The things that make our country so great and special can be found in the diversity of the people, their ideas, and their culture. One of the ways culture is expressed is through the foods we eat. Our nation’s school meals should be no exception. Read more about several examples of school meals with cultural flavors!
Over the course of the Administration, we’ve observed many significant anniversaries in the fight for equality across this great nation. This year, we mark the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. At USDA, we strive to honor the legacy of those brave individuals and live out Dr. King’s creed more fully each and every day.
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Anne Alonzo was thrilled to join USDA colleagues at the first-of-its-kind “Local Foods for Local Tables” conference in Omaha, Neb., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. Read more about the conference!
At a time when 8.6 million U.S. children lack consistent access to food at home, the importance of the availability of nutritious meals at school is more important than ever. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) provides an opportunity for schools to not only feed more kids, but can help with the bottom line. Read more about how CEP helped the Port Huron School District in Michigan!
On August 25th and 27th, USDA will host webinars focused on Rural Broadband Loan Programs, which provides financing to telecommunications providers in rural areas to provide broadband service to the rural communities they serve. The webinars will inform participants about eligibility requirements and provide guidance on how to submit a successful application.
Click here to learn more: http://1.usa.gov/1ECnY6F
This year, the USDA Farmers Market team is experimenting with a series of six monthly USDA Farmers Market at Night. This week is the County Fair Time at the USDA Farmers Market at Night on Friday, August 21, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Washington, D.C., near the National Mall. Read more: http://ow.ly/R5WVO
