U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA expects to announce payment rates for its $1B specialty crop aid in a few weeks after closing acreage reporting, which will determine how relief is distributed across eligible crops.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says a multi-agency Trump administration effort will target fertilizer costs and boost U.S. production, with a major announcement expected yet this week.
The agency has finalized stricter stocking standards requiring 250,000 stores to carry 28 varieties of whole foods while launching private sector partnerships to promote national dietary guidelines.
Why is a long-term farm bill even needed with the provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill? Industry leaders explain their views on the issue.
USDA says it will provide $1 billion in assistance for specialty crops, sugar and commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance program, but with $500 million in losses to just russet potatoes alone, the figure falls well short of the full funding needed.
With the boxing legend declaring “processed food kills” and federal leaders pledging to redirect billions in nutrition dollars, the rollout delivered a forceful message in favor of fresh produce and whole proteins.
As SNAP restrictions expand, independent grocers seek clarity on value-added produce to avoid “good faith” errors and potential program disqualification.
Updated guidelines from USDA and HHS urge Americans to focus on protein, full-fat dairy, fruit and veggies and avoid processed foods.
Organic growers are required to respond to the survey, a special study of the Census of Agriculture. Responses are due Feb. 5, 2026.
USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce says USDA’s new phase of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program expands eligibility, requires in-person enrollment and targets losses from the 2023 and 2024 weather disasters.
With increased pressure, food banks say agricultural producers and grocery retailers hold the key to a resilient food supply.
Democratic-led states sue to block Nov. 1 SNAP cutoff during shutdown, saying benefit halt violates federal law, risks hunger for millions.
The House and Senate Ag Committees are planning to work on language yet this fall on a Farm bill 2.0., but at least one Washington ag lobbyist says he expects it will be difficult to get passed.
The department urges anyone, “including USDA employees, members of Congress, and agricultural and nutrition partners,” to provide feedback on the proposed plan.
Critics of the plan to close the USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center say it could backfire by interrupting the facility’s ongoing research and by pushing the scientists conducting it to resign.
The move is the latest by the Trump administration to stall development of wind and solar energy, which Trump says are unreliable, expensive and dependent on Chinese supply chains.
The Ag Secretary announced three nominees and five appointments to key USDA leadership roles. Some are returning names from the first Trump administration.
Spare a thought for the humble bag or clamshell, because a lot of thought goes into fresh produce packaging. And now, more money will too.
All stakeholders, including USDA employees and ag and nutrition stakeholders, can submit feedback through Aug. 26.
The Senate Ag Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to get more details about its plan to relocate 2,600 employees from Washington, D.C., to five regional hubs to achieve $4 billion in savings.
The commission says the reorg strengthens the department’s ability to serve farmers and safeguard the nation’s food supply.
An Oregon organic hazelnut grower had argued that a USDA regulation within the organic standards favored foreign imports.
Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and a co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, spoke with The Packer about the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. potato growers.
In what it calls a comprehensive action plan for agriculture security, USDA unveiled seven critical areas the Trump administration will address, and securing and protecting U.S. farmland from being owned by China topped that list.
USDA proposed major cuts to how it implements NEPA and the public can submit comments through July 30.
The lawsuit challenges the ending of the Local Food Purchase Assistance program agreement that directly supports Pennsylvania farms and food banks.
The third round of disaster aid payments through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program is the largest amount appropriated by Congress. USDA Deputy Undersecretary Brooke Appleton says those payments are being prepared now.