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Turkey Tips for your Kitchen in Time for Thanksgiving

December 23, 2011 Rebecca Frank, New Media Content Specialist, Office of Communications

It’s always nice to get a few extra hands in the kitchen, especially around the holidays. That was the idea behind Food Safety Inspection Service’s (FSIS) Thanksgiving Twitter Q&A with food safety experts from FSIS, FDA and celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffman.

Health and Safety

“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

USDA 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum: Sessions Focusing on Disease Prevention and Response

December 21, 2011 Brian Ronholm, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety

USDA’s 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum, Feb. 23-24, will present 25 breakout sessions, including “Preventing Disease From Crossing the Border: SPS Initiatives for Global Food Security” and “Fighting Foodborne Illness.” While the first session will focus on the contribution of animal health to global...

Health and Safety Animals Plants

Food Safety This Holiday Season

December 21, 2011 Kathleen Sebelius and Tom Vilsack

Cross posted from the White House blog: With the holiday season in full swing, many of us are thinking about the meals we’ll soon be sharing with family and friends. Whether it’s turkey and egg nog, or latkes, or a New Year’s buffet, food is always a central and cherished part of the festivities. Of...

Health and Safety

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

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

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

Clarifying the Department of Labor's Child Labor Proposal

December 12, 2011 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

Recently there has been some concern and confusion in rural America over the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed regulations on child labor and I’d like to help clarify how this regulation will impact our farmers. We all know that kids benefit from good old-fashioned farm work. It’s a longtime way...

Conservation

Setting the Record Straight on Congress’ Lifting of the Ban on Horse Slaughter

December 09, 2011 Phil Derfler, Deputy Administrator for Food Safety and Inspection Service

There has been a lot of talk in the past week about Congress’ lifting of the ban prohibiting federal funding for the inspection of horses, which prevented the slaughter of horses for human consumption for the past five years. The issue is understandably a sensitive and emotional one for everyone who...

Health and Safety