health

USDA Invests $256 Million in Water Infrastructure in Rural Communities

Dan Industry News Release, Water

Investments Will Support 81 Projects in 35 States Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $256 million in 81 projects (PDF, 233 KB) to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural areas in 35 states. “No matter what zip code you live in, infrastructure is a foundation for quality of …

ota

OTA Comments on USDA Halting Organic Checkoff Proposal

Dan Industry News Release, Organic

The Department of Agriculture has stopped consideration of a national organic checkoff program. The Agricultural Marketing Service published the proposal this week to terminate the rulemaking for the organic checkoff. USDA says the decision is “based on uncertain industry support” for the program and “substantive issues” with the proposed program. The Organic Trade Association however says the USDA actions reflects …

starling white house

Starling Moves from White House to USDA

Dan Industry News Release

In announcing leadership for Department of Agriculture agencies last week, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue also announced the movement of Ray Starling from the White House to USDA. Agri-Pulse reports that Starling, who has served as a special assistant to the president for agriculture, will now serve as Secretary Perdue’s chief of staff. Starling will replace Heidi Green who is returning …

corteva

Pasture Conditions Worse than Last Year

Dan Cattle

USDA’s first pasture and range report for 2018 shows conditions are worse than they were this time last year. Stephanie Ho has the story. Pasture Conditions Worse than Last Year-1 USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has more details of the first pasture and range condition report for 2018. Pasture Conditions Worse than Last Year-2

Farm Bill listening session

Safety Net Coverage Enrollment Continues

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers with base acres in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net program may enroll for the 2018 crop year. The enrollment period will end on Aug. 1, 2018. Producers on a farm that are not enrolled for the 2018 enrollment period will not be eligible …

food waste

Secretary Perdue Commits to Prioritizing Food Waste Solutions

Dan Industry News Release

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hosted a food waste roundtable with Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-1) and David Young (IA-3), food industry leaders, and non-profit groups at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This roundtable, the first of many USDA public events on food waste, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness while discussing solutions with leaders throughout the entire …

usda

USDA-White House Liaison Clovis Leaving Washington

Dan Industry News Release

Sam Clovis, the USDA liaison to the White House, is leaving his job in Washington, D.C. Newsmax Dot Com says the former Trump campaign co-chair and policy adviser was nominated by President Trump to be the USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics. Clovis withdrew before the Senate Ag Committee could hold a hearing. Senate Democrats and environmentalists came …

agriculture

Perdue Applauds President Trump’s Selection for USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety

Dan Industry News Release

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded President Donald J. Trump’s selection of Dr. Mindy Brashears to be the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Food Safety. After the announcement, Secretary Perdue issued the following statement: “Food safety is at the core of USDA’s mission, because it directly affects the health and well-being of millions of Americans …

genetically engineered

USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule for National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

Dan Biotechnology, Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture invited public comment on the proposed rule to establish the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard mandated by Congress in 2016. The standard will provide a uniform way to offer meaningful disclosure for consumers who want more information about their food and avoid a patchwork system of state or private labels that could be confusing for …