AMS

Because of the pandemic, many businesses and industry were forced to adopt new restrictions and guidelines very quickly, including the aquaculture industry.  But, thanks to AMS, some of those costs can now be addressed. Through the Agricultural Marketing Service Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program, another round of grants are available to seafood processors and proc

A 2012 change in school meal nutrition standards drove changes in the type of foods schools purchased.  According to data released by ERS this week, following the change in standards, schools obtained more fruits and vegetables through USDA Foods and especially through USDA’s Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  While there w...

The Department of Agriculture this week announced 15 organizations to receive funding through the Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program.   Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "The grant recipients today will help us provide relief payments to workers across the country who kept food moving to our families during an especially challenging time." ...

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service published a Notice to Trade related to the Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said the Library is designed to be a tool for cattle producers, making information available that may allow them to capture unrealized value for their livestock.   “We are plea...

This week, AMS announced an additional $21.9 million for grant projects through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant Program.  The funding awards 111 projects, bringing the program's total funding to $54.6 million.  The funding will, according to USDA officials, help strengthen and develop new market opportunities for meat and poultry processors throughout the United States.  Facility i

USDA and the state of Washington have announced a cooperative agreement to purchase local foods.  Under the agreement signed with AMS, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will purchase and distributed locally grown and/or processed food from underserved producers.  Th...

Local USDA farm service agency service areas now are accepting nominations for FSA county committee members. "We have an election every year; consists of a nominee period; the nomination period runs till August 1st," said FSA Deputy Administrator Marcus Graham.  He...

The public comment period has been extended for USDA's look at competition, supply chain concerns and capacity expansion within the nation's fertilizer industry.  With comment accepted now until July 15th. "This extension of time under the RFI, we think, is going to be helpful to really highlight and facilitate additional comments regarding that capacity expansion," said AMS' Andy Green

In an effort to help relieve expenses associated with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington state Department of Agriculture will make more than $2.4 million in assistance available. The funds come to the WSDA via the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program ...

According to the head of USDA’s AMS, a pilot cattle contract library could be up and running by the first of next year. The $1 million pilot Congress funded in current year spending, is aimed at improving price transparency in cattle markets, thereby helping independent producers get a fairer price. USD ...