• Department of Agriculture (USDA) News

  • By: Quiet. Please
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Department of Agriculture (USDA) News

By: Quiet. Please
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  • Summary

  • Discover the latest insights and updates from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with our engaging podcast. Stay informed about agricultural policies, innovations in farming, food security, and rural development. Perfect for farmers, policymakers, and anyone interested in sustainable agriculture and food production. Tune in for expert interviews, timely news, and valuable resources from the USDA.

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Episodes
  • USDA Boosts Specialty Crops, Tribal Students, and Wildfire Resilience in Latest Initiatives

    USDA Boosts Specialty Crops, Tribal Students, and Wildfire Resilience in Latest Initiatives
    Nov 22 2024
    Welcome to our latest podcast on the Department of Agriculture's recent news and developments. This week, we're kicking off with a significant headline: the USDA has announced more than $2 billion to strengthen the specialty crops sector and expand crop storage for producers following the 2024 natural disasters[1].

    Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted historic investments in U.S. agriculture and four years of climate progress at COP29, emphasizing the department's commitment to advancing equity and removing barriers to service for all communities, including Tribal Nations[1].

    In line with this commitment, the USDA announced new investments in Tribal students and higher education at the White House Tribal Youth Forum. Secretary Vilsack unveiled $5 million in grants to support Tribal students at land-grant colleges and universities through the New Beginning for Tribal Students Program, aiming to cultivate tomorrow's agriculture sector professionals and build a more representative USDA workforce[3].

    The USDA also celebrated three years of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has enabled historic investments in reducing wildfire risk, restoring healthy forests, and improving economic and environmental infrastructure. With nearly $5.5 billion from the law, the USDA has treated over 11.8 million acres to protect communities and critical infrastructure from wildfires, and committed over $450 million in grants to help at-risk communities[4].

    In terms of policy changes, the USDA's Farm Service Agency recently announced significant changes to Farm Loan Programs, designed to better assist borrowers in making strategic investments in their agricultural operations. The agency also provided approximately $2.4 billion in immediate assistance to more than 43,900 distressed borrowers since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed in August 2022[2].

    For American citizens, these developments mean increased support for local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, and improved access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food. Businesses and organizations will benefit from new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices. State and local governments will see enhanced infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America[1][4].

    As Secretary Vilsack noted, "USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices."

    To stay updated on these developments and to learn more about USDA programs, citizens can visit usda.gov or contact their local USDA Service Center. For those interested in engaging with the USDA, the department encourages participation in public forums and feedback sessions.

    Next steps to watch include the implementation of the new Farm Loan Programs and the continued rollout of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects. For more information, visit usda.gov. Thank you for tuning in to our latest podcast on USDA news and developments.
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    4 mins
  • USDA Announces New Crop Storage and Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crop Producers

    USDA Announces New Crop Storage and Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crop Producers
    Nov 21 2024
    Welcome to our podcast on the latest news from the Department of Agriculture. This week, we're focusing on a significant announcement that will have a profound impact on American farmers and the agricultural sector.

    On November 19, 2024, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of new programs to help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers and access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events. The USDA is investing more than $2 billion in the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative and $140 million in the Commodity Storage Assistance Program. These programs are designed to assist specialty crop growers in maintaining a strong domestic supply and expanding market opportunities for their crops, particularly in the Southeast after the devastating hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.

    Secretary Vilsack emphasized the critical role specialty crop producers play in the success of U.S. agriculture, stating, "From providing high-quality, nutritious, American-grown fruits, vegetables, and nuts to our nation and the world, to serving as economic pillars of their communities, specialty crop producers play a critical role in the success of U.S. agriculture."

    These investments build on USDA’s wide array of disaster assistance, farm loan, and conservation programs to help agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters. The programs can help producers recover in various ways, including land and private forest rehabilitation, fence loss, debris removal, animal mortality disposal, and other challenges.

    In addition to these initiatives, the USDA has been making significant strides in other areas. For instance, the Biden-Harris Administration's Inflation Reduction Act has topped $1 billion in clean energy investments to nearly 7,000 American farms and rural small businesses. This includes more than $256 million in loans and grants to support over 1,100 clean energy projects in 40 states, helping rural communities lead the country toward an economy that benefits working people everywhere with lower costs and clean energy jobs.

    Furthermore, the USDA has announced new investments in Tribal students and higher education, committing $5 million in grants to support Tribal students at land-grant colleges and universities through the New Beginning for Tribal Students Program. This reflects USDA’s commitment to advance equity and remove barriers to service for Tribal Nations and encourage Tribal workforce development.

    Looking ahead, applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops and Commodity Storage Assistance programs are expected to be available in December 2024. Producers can contact their local USDA Service Center for more information and to prepare for these opportunities.

    To stay updated on these developments and learn more about USDA programs, visit www.usda.gov. If you're interested in providing feedback or engaging with these initiatives, reach out to your local USDA office or follow USDA on social media.

    Thank you for tuning in to our podcast. We'll keep you informed on the latest news from the Department of Agriculture and its impact on American citizens, businesses, and communities.
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    4 mins
  • USDA Invests $2.14B to Bolster Specialty Crops & Expand Crop Storage for Farmers

    USDA Invests $2.14B to Bolster Specialty Crops & Expand Crop Storage for Farmers
    Nov 21 2024
    Welcome to this week's update on the latest news and developments from the Department of Agriculture. This week, the USDA made a significant announcement, committing more than $2 billion to strengthen the specialty crops sector and expand crop storage for producers following the 2024 natural disasters[2].

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the creation of new programs designed to help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers and access necessary pre-market storage for their crops. The Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative will provide $2 billion to assist specialty crop growers in maintaining a strong domestic supply and expanding market opportunities for their crops. Additionally, the Commodity Storage Assistance Program will offer $140 million to help producers gain access to commercial storage facilities, such as packinghouses and grain elevators, necessary for the marketing of agricultural commodities.

    Secretary Vilsack emphasized the critical role specialty crop producers play in U.S. agriculture, stating, "From providing high-quality, nutritious, American-grown fruits, vegetables, and nuts to our nation and the world, to serving as economic pillars of their communities, specialty crop producers play a critical role in the success of U.S. agriculture."

    These programs are particularly timely for southeastern farmers who faced devastating hurricanes this season. The USDA anticipates high signup rates in the Southeast due to the severe weather events.

    In other news, the USDA has been making significant investments in clean energy through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The Biden-Harris Administration has invested more than $1 billion in clean energy projects for nearly 7,000 American farms and rural small businesses[3]. These investments aim to lower costs, expand access to clean energy, and strengthen American farms and small businesses.

    Furthermore, the USDA has announced new investments in Tribal higher education, committing $5 million in grants to support Tribal students at land-grant colleges and universities through the New Beginning for Tribal Students Program[5]. This initiative reflects the USDA's commitment to advancing equity and removing barriers to service for Tribal Nations.

    Looking ahead, applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops and Commodity Storage Assistance programs are expected to open in December 2024. For more information on these programs and other USDA initiatives, visit usda.gov.

    In conclusion, the USDA's latest announcements underscore the department's commitment to supporting American farmers, advancing clean energy, and promoting equity in rural America. Stay tuned for further updates and consider visiting usda.gov to learn more about these initiatives and how they might impact you. Thank you for joining us this week.
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    3 mins

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