tom vilsack

The USDA is investing $1.7 billion for purchasing local and regionally produced foods and domestically produced foods for emergency food assistance.  These investments, made possible by the Commodity Credit Corporation, will help American producers by ensuring they have the certainty of access to local and regional markets as well as the financial benefits that come with selling directly to instit

“You know, I think it's fair to say that this administration has been pretty clear in terms of its support for the collective bargaining process," noted Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack when recently asked about the possibility of a dock workers strike this week at East Coast ports from New England down to Texas.   “...

The Agriculture ministers of the G7 nations met in Italy this weekend.   “We have a shared goal which is at the end of the day I'm more productive resilience and more sustainable agriculture and food system," noted Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack.  He added not ...

The USDA will provide $466.5 million to strengthen global food security through its two premiere international development programs.  Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the agency will provide $248 million to the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, and USDA will provide $218.5 million...

On Thursday, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the latest and final round of funding for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.   “Through this program, we are awarding more than $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capacity," Vilsack said.  "Spur co...

South Dakota-based animal health vaccine manufacturer Medgene says it has received approval from the Department of Agriculture to commence testing a vaccine for H5N1 in cattle.   "This is great news for us, for the CVB (USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics) and more importantly, the dairy industry,” says Medgene Chief Operating Officer Tom Halbur. “Our tech...

Improve the health of America’s forests while reducing the risks of wildfire to communities.  That has been the effort and focus on the U.S. Forest Service’s Collaborative Wildfire Risk Reduction Program, which has focused on 21 specially selected fire sheds.  But Agriculture Sec...

The way things are going, or not going, on Capitol Hill right now, it's going to be very hard to get a new Farm Bill passed, that according to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack.  While visiting with a group of Farmers Union members Monday, Secretary Vilsack shared what it will take to get a Farm Bill on the books.   “...

“The biggest investment in rural electrification since the mid 1930s.”  That's how President Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are describing a newly announced $7 billion investment in rural clean energy projects in nearly two dozen states.   “To bring th...

The USDA joined the Education Department and other education, parent, and school meal partner groups last week to celebrate new school meal options as the school year started.  The organizations held a virtual pep rally to celebrate the back-to-school season and thank the champions that educate and nourish our nation’s school children.   “Healt...