USDA Blog

Do you like to go swimming or fishing? Rivers and lakes are cleaner thanks to USDA water/sewer investments in rural communities. On Monday, I joined Earth Day celebrations in the rural communities of Sparta and Monterey, Tenn. Part of being good stewards of the Earth and our natural resources is...

As we celebrate Earth Day and think about ways to protect our environment, we cannot ignore the dramatic effects that climate change is having on our planet. To help the U.S. Forest Service respond to a changing climate, the Climate Change Resource Center , an online portal to credible, relevant and...

For years, it was believed that a certain amount of cropland soil erosion was inevitable. But by using conservation techniques like cover crops, no-till and diverse crop rotations, an increasing number of farmers are proving that we can actually build our soils and, in some instances, increase soil...

Earth Day is a reminder that some of our best moments can be spent in the great outdoors. Getting outside is one of the best ways to feel re-invigorated, whether on a short hike to the Crags Trail on Pike National Forest or on a longer exploration of the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail, which winds...

U.S. agricultural producers have been engaged in sustainable farming practices for many years as an inherent part of their work. They need the environment to flourish and thrive in order to continue producing the foods we eat and the materials we use. Agricultural research and promotion groups, with...

During the month of April we will take a closer look at USDA’s Groundbreaking Research for a Revitalized Rural America, highlighting ways USDA researchers are improving the lives of Americans in ways you might never imagine. For example, finding sustainable ways to produce food for Americans and the...