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Secretary's Column: A New Year For Agriculture

December 30, 2011 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

As we enjoy the holiday season, it is a great time to celebrate all that American agriculture has accomplished, and to look ahead to a productive new year. Our farmers, ranchers and growers make incredible contributions each day to the health and strength of this country. Thanks to their...

USDA Results

“Salmon-Safe”Certification Promotes Conservation and Restoration

December 22, 2011 Jennifer Van Eps, NRCS Washington

A Northwest nonprofit organization has been using Conservation Innovation Grants it was awarded in 2010 and 2011 by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to expand efforts to improve the health of the local salmon population.

Conservation

Ag Producers Improve Two Coastal Bayous in Mississippi Through New Gulf of Mexico Initiative

December 21, 2011 Justin Fritscher, NRCS Mississippi

For Kiln, Miss. resident David Koch, there’s a lot of truth to the expression “everything runs downstream.” Koch’s land borders Rotten Bayou, and he has made great strides to ensure no pollutants wash off his land and into the bayou, which feeds the Gulf of Mexico.

Conservation

Conservation Helps a Rancher Survive Historic Drought Conditions

December 16, 2011 Randy Henry, NRCS Texas

Texas landowners and producers could never have predicted the severe drought conditions this year, which have impacted small and large operations alike. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is helping many of these ranchers and farmers survive the ongoing drought—including Stuart...

Conservation

“We Can’t Wait” to Improve Infrastructure

December 15, 2011 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

Today, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced critical investments in our nation’s infrastructure. Specifically, 46 transportation projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico will receive funding that will help support local communities and drive a nation-wide economic recovery. These grants are...

USDA Results Rural

Expanding Wildlife Habitat on Private Lands

December 14, 2011 Robert Purcell, NRCS Connecticut Earth Team Volunteer

Joe and Jon Higgins are brothers who are working with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve the environmental quality of the 36 acres of land they share in Pomfret, Connecticut.

Conservation

Payroll Tax Cuts - Now is the Time for Congress to Act

December 14, 2011 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

We’re getting down to the wire. Congress has until December 31, to pass the Payroll Tax Cut or 160 million Americans will see their taxes go up on January 1 st and the typical middle class family will see a tax hike of about $1,000 in 2012. This isn’t a time for politics. This payroll tax cut is...

USDA Results

A New Hiring Guide for America's Agricultural Employers

December 14, 2011 Jane Oates, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employment & Training Administration.

Cross posted from the Department of Labor blog: Agricultural businesses large and small rely on seasonal workers. When U.S. workers are not available, employers can utilize the H-2A program to hire temporary foreign workers to perform certain types of agricultural work. Our Office of Foreign Labor...

USDA Results Trade

Congressional Rhetoric Runs into Reality on ‘Dust Rule’

December 13, 2011 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) constantly battles false and misleading information about its rules and regulations. No better example exists than the myth that EPA proposed to “regulate” dust on farm fields. Simply not true! EPA is not now, nor has it ever proposed regulating dust. The...

USDA Results

Goats, Turtles and WHIP Restore Rare Natural Area

December 12, 2011 Jody Christiansen, NRCS Illinois

In northern Illinois, a unique area called the Piscasaw Fen is being restored to its native majesty through the cooperation of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Boone County Conservation District (BCCD).

Conservation