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Five Lessons Learned from USDA's Farmers Market at Night

December 10, 2015 Lee Cliburn, USDA Farmers Market Assistant Manager, Agricultural Marketing Service

Our own USDA Farmers Market, brought to you by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), celebrated 20 years of offering Washington, DC access to farm-fresh products this year. USDA is always looking for innovative ways to help farmers markets succeed and experiment with ways that might help them...

Food and Nutrition Farming

High Tunnel Addition Helps Urban Farmer Feed Portland

December 07, 2015 Tracy Robillard, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Portland has become one of the top cities in the nation for its food scene—from trendy neighborhood food carts to fine dining to farm-to-table restaurants. It’s also a place where people embrace eating locally-grown food. Like, seriously, uber-local. That’s why urban farmers like Stacey Givens are...

Conservation Food and Nutrition Farming

New Farmers' Legacy for the Land

November 18, 2015 Jennifer Cole, NRCS Washington, Public Affairs

Some people leave a legacy for their children. Cameron Green and Eric Wittenbach plan to leave theirs to Mother Nature. A philosophy of sustainability guides them on their eight-and-a-half-acre farm in Okanogan, Washington. Green and Wittenbach both come from a background of working the land...

Conservation Food and Nutrition Farming

Bringing More Farmers Markets to Service Members

November 10, 2015 Anne L. Alonzo, Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator

As we take time this week to honor America’s veterans, we are also thinking about how we can improve the health and welfare of military communities across the country. That’s why we are so proud to release the first-ever Guide for Farmers Markets on Military Installations. By assisting military...

Food and Nutrition Farming

Organic Sound and Sensible Resources: Why Go Organic and Where to Start

November 09, 2015 Miles McEvoy, Deputy Administrator of the National Organic Program

Last week, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s National Organic Program (NOP) announced new resources resulting from our Sound and Sensible Initiative, which is aimed at making organic certification more accessible, affordable, and attainable. Today, we are introducing guides, videos, and...

Food and Nutrition Farming

Puerto Rico Colabora con USDA para Fortalecer los Sistemas de Alimentos Locales

November 03, 2015 Ken Keck, AMS Local Food Research and Development Division Director

El estado libre asociado de Puerto Rico tiene solamente 100 millas de largo por 35 millas de ancho. La pequeña isla está llena de maravillas naturales, rica en cultura y abundante en agricultura. Aun así pocos se dan cuenta que gran parte de los alimentos consumidos por los residentes y visitantes...

Food and Nutrition Farming

Puerto Rico Works with USDA to Strengthen Local Food Systems

November 03, 2015 Ken Keck, AMS Local Food Research and Development Division Director

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide. The small island is full of natural wonders, rich culture and bountiful agriculture. Yet few realize that much of the food eaten by residents and visitors alike comes from other places. Earlier this month, Puerto Rico...

Food and Nutrition Farming

USDA Foods: From American Farms to American Tables

October 27, 2015 Rex A. Barnes, Agricultural Marketing Service Associate Administrator

USDA has programs and services that bring the bounty of American agriculture to people and communities across the country. One of the most impactful ways my agency, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), fulfills its mission is through our USDA Foods purchase programs. Our food purchases begin...

Food and Nutrition Farming

Sound and Sensible Initiative Projects Simplify Organic Certification

October 27, 2015 Miles McEvoy, Deputy Administrator of the National Organic Program

USDA’s National Organic Program is the bedrock regulatory program responsible for developing national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with the USDA organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards. In addition to protecting the...

Food and Nutrition Farming

UPDATE: A Farmers Market Soars in Michigan

October 19, 2015 James J. Turner, Michigan State Director, USDA Rural Development

To update you on a story featured previously, I was honored to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Mt. Pleasant Native Farmers Market. We broke ground on this project in June, and it is great to see the pavilion completed in time to share this summer’s produce...

Food and Nutrition Farming Rural