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Supporting Those Impacted by Hurricane Michael Rebuild and Recover

November 16, 2018 Tim English, Interim Southeast Regional Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service

On October 10, Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida. It was the strongest storm to hit the U.S. in a quarter-century, and the strongest on record to hit the state’s panhandle. Michael went on to track across the southeastern United States and continue its destruction through southern Georgia...

Food and Nutrition

Working Together to Keep the Nation’s Poultry Healthy!

November 16, 2018 Dr. Alan Huddleston, VMD, APHIS Avian, Swine & Aquatic Animal Health Center Director

Poultry owners all know how devastating a disease outbreak can be. Whether it’s a backyard farm with a few birds or a large commercial operation, losing your flock to disease causes more than just financial losses. That was never truer as we faced the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)...

Animals

Antimicrobial Resistance and Whole Genome Sequencing – What is Changing?

November 16, 2018 Dr. Uday Dessai, Senior Public Health Advisor, FSIS; and Dr. Glenn Tillman, Branch Chief Microbiology Characterization Branch, Eastern Laboratory, FSIS

To better understand antibiotic resistance (AMR) in bacteria, agencies within USDA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other federal and state partners work collaboratively through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System...

Research and Science

Antimicrobial Resistance – What does USDA Research Tell Us?

November 15, 2018 Roxann Motroni, DVM, Ph.D., ARS; Kim Cook, Ph.D., ARS; John Schmidt, Ph.D., U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

Antimicrobial Resistance or AMR occurs naturally in bacteria and AMR far predates human existence. However, AMR is a complicated issue and there are many factors that contribute to its development in agricultural environments.

Research and Science

Southern Timber Owners and Industry Hit Hard by Hurricane

November 15, 2018 Patty Matteson, Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service

Hurricane Michael, which roared through Florida, Alabama and Georgia on October 10, hit timberland owners and timber markets hard.

Forestry

Share the Love, not the Bacteria

November 14, 2018 Marianne Gravely, MS, Senior Technical Information Specialist, FSIS

At this time of year, many community groups, volunteer organizations, work places and other groups celebrate Thanksgiving with a potluck meal. When cooking for a large group, it is important to keep in mind the needs of your guests. Do any of your guests have food allergies or dietary restrictions...

Health and Safety

USDA’s Role in Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance

November 13, 2018 Roxann Motron and Kim Cook, USDA Agricultural Research Service; Uday Dessai and Sheryl Shaw, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

Scientists from USDA developed the tools to mass produce penicillin, which was used for treating wounded soldiers over 70 years ago during World War II. Antibiotics are still important in treating microbial infection in humans, animals, and plants. However, microbes can develop resistance to some...

Animals Health and Safety Research and Science

The Pumpkin Spice Latte Farm

November 13, 2018 Jodi Letterman, NASS Pacific Region Public Affairs Specialist

Americans love Thanksgiving and all of the food that goes along with it. Who can blame us when the food is high quality and delicious? Roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and yeah, rivers of pumpkin spice latte will flow this season, warming hearts and filling bellies across our great country.

Farming Research and Science

Scary Pests on Firewood: No Thanks this Holiday Season

November 13, 2018 Abbey Powell, APHIS Public Affairs

With Halloween a few weeks behind us, and the time for gathering family and friends to give thanks fast approaching, you might not realize scary creatures may still lurk outside… waiting for a free ride to your house or cabin… in your firewood!

Animals

Macro Trends in the U.S. Food System: A Q&A with Anne Effland, Senior Economist, USDA Office of the Chief Economist

November 13, 2018 Anne Effland, Senior Economist, USDA Office of the Chief Economist

What are the macro trends in food production and policy? In this blog, USDA Senior Economist Anne Effland gives an overview of how consumers are shaping the way food is grown and how USDA is supporting the evolving food system. Read more in the article Effland co-authored with Carolyn Dimitri in the...

Biotechnology Farming Food and Nutrition Technology