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School Garden Turns into Living Learning Laboratory for Nevada Fifth Graders

December 21, 2012 Mark Williams, Nevada USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator

“Can a School Garden Supplement a Community’s Food Supply in a Sustainable Way?” That was the question asked by Bob Gardner’s fifth grade class at Dayton, Nevada, Elementary School on Tuesday as students presented their science projects to classmates and adult guests.

Initiatives Energy Rural

Gardening, Farming Take Root in New York City

December 19, 2012 Jane Hodgins, Northern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service

If your picture of New York City is skyscrapers and neon, consider expanding that image to include vegetable crops – a lot of vegetable crops – growing everywhere from ground level to rooftops.

Forestry Food and Nutrition Farming

Planting a Holiday Tradition

December 17, 2012 Larry Stritch, National Botanist, U.S. Forest Service

Many holiday traditions are celebrated during the season surrounding the winter solstice, or the time when the sun is at its lowest point above the horizon. For communities and families, plants play a central role in these traditions. Yet, most people are unaware of the origins of how plants like...

Forestry

The Smart Grid and Smart Growth

December 14, 2012 USDA Acting Rural Utilities Service Administrator John Padalino, USDA Rural Development

Two new smart grid projects in North Dakota and South Dakota will help improve electric service for consumers at Northern Electric Cooperative and West Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. by implementing advancements in communications technology. A smarter electric grid can help improve service by...

Energy Rural

What’s Next for Agriculture? Secretary Vilsack Wants to Hear from You!

December 13, 2012 Amanda Eamich, Director of Web Communications

Last week we asked why young Americans should care about the Farm Bill by inviting you to use social media to help tell the story about what is at stake in your lives and communities. The response has been overwhelming! We read tweets from aspiring young scientists about the importance of the Farm...

Conservation Energy Rural Research and Science

Rescue Dogs Sniff for Salamanders to Save Rare Species and Help People

December 12, 2012 Bruce Hill, Santa Fe National Forest and Ellita Willis, Office of Communication, US Forest Service

Shelter dogs that are often rejected are getting a new lease on life. Plus they’re helping wildlife and people! These conservation canines climbed the Jemez Mountains, clambering over rocks, running from smell to smell, to track where rare Jemez salamanders, a species found nowhere else in the world...

Forestry Animals Plants

Forest Service International Programs lauded by Secretary of State

December 11, 2012 Stephen G. Krecik, International Programs, U.S. Forest Service

During the recent annual Comprehensive Partnership meeting in Washington, D.C., Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Indonesian Foreign Minister Natalegawa applauded recent initiatives supported by the U.S. Forest Service’s International Programs, including forest governance, environmental impact...

Forestry Trade

Secretary Vilsack Addresses White House Tribal Nations Conference-Unveils Sacred Sites Report

December 06, 2012 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

Yesterday, it was my privilege to join other cabinet members in addressing an estimated 500 tribal members from across the United States at the White House Tribal Nations Conference at the Interior Department.

Forestry

Kake Forests Provide More than Just Trees

December 05, 2012 Samia Savell, NRCS Alaska

On a typical late summer day in Kake, Alaska, residents prepare for the day by layering heavy-duty rain gear, protective gloves and rubber boots over jeans and fleece. Most of these Alaskans will head to work supporting the local fishing industry. A select few, however, will be bundling up for a...

Conservation Forestry

USDA’s Four-Legged Federal Workers Don’t Believe in Horsing Around

December 04, 2012 Robert H. Westover, Office of Communication, U.S. Forest Service

It seems being a working mule or horse on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest can be a pretty good thing – especially during the holiday season.

Forestry