tom vilsack

U.S. and European Union counterparts met late last week to discuss transatlantic agriculture and food sustainability.   “It's an ongoing conversation and I think the most important thing here is that you need to keep talking to one another you need to keep searching for that elusive sweet spot that you find every once in a while that allows you to take a step forward,” said Ag Secretary Tom Vilsac

On Monday, Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse as well as Representative Austin Scott, of Georgia, led a letter to United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with Chair of House Agriculture Committee “GT” Thompson urging immediate action to improve outdated and inefficient FSA program operations.    “...

The Department of Agriculture this week announced a $59 million investment to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity.  The funding also seeks to expand market opportunities for farmers and create jobs in rural areas.  The investment is part of the Biden administration's Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain.  The action p...

“This is an extraordinarily transformational and pivotal moment for American agriculture,” said Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack thanking the National Association of Conservation Districts during their recent annual convention.  He expressed t...

Last week, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced he was nominating Xochitl Torres Small for the Ag department deputy secretary position that will soon be vacated.   “Under Secretary Torres Small who is currently operating our Rural Development missionary has done a terrific job of communicating the mission of Rural Development and understands and appreciates the important role that Department of Agri

The USDA announced this week that Former Vice Preside Al Gore will serve as the opening keynote speaker for the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Summit.  The AIM for Climate Summit is scheduled for May 8th-10th this year, in Washington, D.C.  USDA ...

Earlier this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for agricultural producers and forest landowners to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices.  The Inflation Reduction Act provided an additional $19.5 billion...

In his State of the Union address Tuesday, President Biden declared before Congress.    “The state of the union is strong...”   “...and we're here today to ensure that it continues to strengthen agriculture,” added Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack when he spoke this week to an audience at North Carolina A&T University.  The Secretary was talking about a number of i...

A group of Senators is urging the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to take swift action to address the ongoing avian influenza outbreak.  The lawmakers recently asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to quickly use funds provided by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2023 Agriculture Appropriations bill.   Led by...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced late last week major initiatives that he said will support and enhance the health of America's children through nutritious school meals.  At the USDA Conversation on Healthy School Meals Roundtable, Vilsack says, “Our commitment to the school meal programs comes from a common goal we all share – keeping kids healthy and helping them reach their full pote