USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue hosted a roundtable with local school officials to learn more about how USDA can best assist and enable their efforts to serve nutritious meals to our nation’s children. The meeting was part of the Secretary’s ongoing efforts to explore reforms that will make school meals more appealing by giving control back to local school food professionals …
USDA Partners to Improve Water and Wastewater Infrastructure for Rural Americans
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is investing $392 million (PDF, 238 KB) to help rebuild and improve rural water and wastewater infrastructure in 42 states. “Put simply, modern and reliable water infrastructure is foundational to quality of life and economic development,” Hazlett said. “USDA’s partnerships with rural communities underscore Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s commitment to rural …
Fried Promoting a New Face for Florida Ag Commissioner
When the August primaries were over, it left Democratic candidate Nikki Fried and Republican candidate Matt Caldwell left to battle it out for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. During a phone interview with Southeast AgNet, Broward County resident Fried said it’s time for a new face. Fried Promoting a New Face for Florida Ag Commissioner Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober …
Trump Administration Seeking China Trade Talks
The Trump administration proposes a new round of trade talks between the U.S. and China to stop an additional round of tariffs on Chinese exports. The Wall Street Journal reports the invitation comes as the Trump administration senses new vulnerability—and possibly more flexibility—among Chinese officials pressured by U.S. tariffs imposed earlier this year and threats for more. Treasury Secretary Steven …
USDA Partners with Communities to Support Opioid Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Opportunities in Rural America
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with rural communities in 22 states to support opportunities for opioid prevention, treatment and recovery (PDF, 162 KB). “With its impact on workforce, quality of life and the economic vitality of rural communities from Maine to California, the opioid epidemic is more …
GMO Labeling Rule Sent to OMB
The White House Office of Management and Budget is reviewing the GMO labeling rule, or the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. Government records show that the Department of Agriculture sent the final rule to the White House on the last day of August. The regulation, according to the Management and Budget Office, is now “pending review.” Legislation to create the …
USDA to Implement Regulatory Reforms to Increase Access to Capital in Rural Areas
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is hosting listening sessions to solicit feedback on a plan to increase access to capital in rural areas by streamlining regulations for four Rural Development loan guarantee programs. “At USDA, we know that for many rural communities the regulations that govern our programs can be outdated and difficult to …
ASTA Outlines Priorities for Final Farm Bill
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) urges members of the Farm Bill Conference Committee to include several key provisions important to the seed industry within the final bill. In a recent letter to conferees, ASTA highlighted the following priorities within the Conservation, Trade, Research, Horticulture and Crop Insurance titles: Conservation: ASTA is concerned with the proposal in the House version …
Webpage Highlighting Resources to Bridge the Broadband e-Connectivity Infrastructure Gap
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue unveiled a new webpage featuring information about the importance of rural e-Connectivity and the ways the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing to help deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure in rural America. “Rural high-speed broadband e-Connectivity is as important for economic development as rail, roads, bridges and airports – and as vital as the buildouts of …
China Grain Imports Plunge Amidst Tariffs
Imports of grain to China plunged in July after rounds of heavy tariffs between the U.S. and China were enacted. Data reviewed by Reuters shows China imported 220,000 metric tons of sorghum in July, down 62.5 percent from 588,300 metric tons a year ago. The imports were also below June’s 450,000 metric tons, when buyers scooped up U.S. shipments of …