U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins testified in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, fielding questions on everything from USDA’s bold budget cuts and frozen funding to the fate of the nearly $21 billion in disaster aid.
Accounting for about 15% of USDA’s total workforce and representing FSA, NRCS, FSIS, APHIS and other departments, 3,877 staff signed contracts in February for the first deferred resignation program and 11,305 in the second round in April.
Food Bank for New York City President and CEO Leslie Gordon says the more than $1 billion USDA cuts will be a huge loss, as food banks will spend less to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms.
Organizations that provide access to fresh produce say these cuts will directly impact the ability to help those in need.
Damage from Hurricane Milton hit an industry suffering from the devastating citrus greening disease.
In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the National Council of Agriculture Employers says the pause in payments have left growers with significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Board representatives include growers, handlers and cooperative handlers to help guide the research and promotion programs as well as flow of product to the market.
With tariffs and trade in focus again, a recent AgWeb poll asked farmers if they support President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiating strategy.
The research and promotion program seeks to fill six seats on its 12-member board.
Since 2011, the value of U.S. organic imports has continued to grow, bolstered by high-value produce such as blueberries.
The agency has imposed sanctions on produce operations in Florida, New Jersey, Texas, Georgia, Arizona for violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
The Biden-Harris administration issues financial assistance through the program to more than 43,000 farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to 2021.
In 2024, food-at-home (grocery) prices are predicted to increase by 1%, and food-away-from-home (restaurant) prices are predicted to increase by 4.3%, the USDA reports.
Witnesses speaking before the House Committee on Agriculture on July 23 urged policymakers to “head off the economic hemorrhaging” and take the opportunity to substantially course correct the farm safety net.
Lakeside Produce Inc. allegedly failed to make payment promptly to three produce sellers from August 2022 through January 2023, the USDA says.
The USDA has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Smile Onion 7 Inc. for allegedly failing to make payment promptly to 15 produce sellers.
The funding will be used to establish three additional USDA Nutrition Hubs.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is expressing concern about the potential for potato wart to spread from potato imports originating on Canada’s Prince Edward Island to U.S. farms.
From increasing difficulty in accessing households due to new telephone technologies to concerns about data privacy and time constraints from farmers, the number of farmers participating in USDA surveys is on the decline.
In a Federal Register notice published July 3, the USDA said it is requesting nominations to fill up to 25 upcoming vacancies on the committee.
The reduction is due to orchards facing drought conditions and extreme weather, according to a recent report.
Farm Journal’s beta Climate-Smart Opportunity Navigator tool seeks to match growers with Climate-Smart Commodities grants tailored to their operation.
After recent tariff lifts on apples, walnuts and almonds, India has slashed tariffs for additional U.S. exports, including include blueberries and cranberries, signaling increased opportunities for American producers.
In honor of National Pollinator Week, the USDA and others are highlighting how to support birds, bees, bats and butterflies — and why they matter.
The USDA has named the top crops produced in the U.S. that make the math-inspired holiday much sweeter.
Ag experts and producers are sharing how they sift through the hype and find practical ways to move the needle.
In the next few years, SNAP participants in these states will have the option to use mobile payment methods — like tapping or scanning their personal mobile device — as an alternative to their physical SNAP card.
Fresh produce advocates have voiced concerns over new H-2A wage rate updates, with one calling it a “fatally flawed” approach to setting adverse effect wage rates that should be “scrapped in its entirety.”
A President Biden-appointed Equity Commission has outlined a path for USDA reform. The ag agency is already making changes, offering farm assistance and appointing a chief diversity and inclusion officer.