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Strong Rural Communities, Stronger America
Last week, the Department hosted several members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) at USDA headquarters in Washington to highlight the findings of a new report,...
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Alaskan Brewery Caps Bottles and Costs with USDA Energy Grant
Using a first-of-its-kind steam boiler fueled by spent grain, the Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau will reduce its use of fuel oil by over 65 percent. The boiler was funded in part through the USDA...
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Under Secretary, Northwest innovators Focus on Rural American Renewal
During a brief but busy trip to Oregon Monday, January 28, Agriculture Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager highlighted opportunities to increase public-private collaboration and innovative financing models...
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Finding ‘Gold’ in Bug Bellies
Almost three years ago, two biology professors at Delta State University in Mississippi brainstormed how to give science undergraduates research experience in microbiology and entomology. They hit upon...
View ArticleUSDA Climate Change Adaptation Plan Open for Public Comment
USDA is committed to fostering a clean energy economy and to improving the environment by conducting operations in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner, complying with environmental...
View ArticleSecretary’s Column: Biofuels Hold Unlimited Opportunity to Grow the Rural...
At USDA, we’ve made record efforts in the past four years to support homegrown energy. This year, we’re looking ahead to a promising future for biofuels. Biofuels have already contributed a great deal...
View ArticleRural America: Moving Forward Through Inspiration and Innovation
Earlier this week, I had the privilege to join members and guests of the Farm Credit Council at their annual meeting in San Diego. It was a great opportunity to see some old friends and make new ones....
View ArticleSecretary’s Column: A Magnet for Jobs
This week, in his State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out his plan to make America a magnet for jobs in the generations to come, and further strengthen the middle class. He stressed that...
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Regreening Baltimore
Baltimore’s Oliver Neighborhood is a mix of occupied and abandoned rowhouses. The U.S. Forest Service is working with partners to host the Carbon Challenge green building design contest, promoting...
View ArticleOpen Call to Innovators: Apply to present at G-8 International Conference on...
Cross posted from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy blog: In an exciting opportunity, the G-8 is inviting innovators to apply to present ideas that demonstrate how open data can...
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Energy Department and USDA Partner to Support Energy Efficiency in Rural...
At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, state energy and extension staff are teaching farmers to use modern sensors to improve irrigation management. In this picture, Darrel Siekman and Gary Zoubek...
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Recognizing the Power in Rural
As the USDA Rural Development State Director for Oregon, I’m aware of the significant economic benefits our programs have produced in partnership with rural communities, residents and businesses in...
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U.S. Dairy Industry: Leading the Way in Sustainable Innovation
Secretary Vilsack renewed an historic agreement to accelerate the adoption of innovative waste-to-energy projects & energy efficiency improvements on U.S. dairy farms Cross posted from The...
View ArticleEnsuring Modern, Timely Decisions for Infrastructure Projects
Today the Obama Administration announced a Presidential Memorandum that expands a government-wide effort to improve the Federal permitting and review process. This is a big step for USDA because it...
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10 Reasons Why Congress Must Act to Pass a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill
Getting a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill passed this year is essential – and it can’t fall victim to politics as usual. Too much is at stake, and too many people lose out if Congress can’t act. Here are 10...
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USDA Town Meetings Draw Comments on Proposal to Help Utilities Finance...
During a town hall meeting at USDA Headquarters, Administrator John Padalino explains a new proposed rule that opens the door to financing both smaller and renewable energy projects by USDA. The rule...
View ArticleReducing Food Waste: It’s More Than Just Cleaning Your Plate
When you think of steps that can be taken to improve our environment and mitigate climate change, “reducing food waste” probably doesn’t come to mind right away. But in fact, food waste is an...
View ArticlePacked House in Tucson, Arizona for Energy Round Table Listening Session with...
Sorry Mr. Wolfe. As it turns out, you actually CAN go home again…and John Padalino recently did. Padalino is the Administrator for the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a branch of USDA Rural...
View ArticleRenewable Energy on Farms Study Released – First to Look at Role of...
USDA has published a study examining states’ adoption rates of distributed generation for solar and wind energy on U.S. farms. The results show that states with higher energy prices, more organic acres...
View ArticleSecretary’s Column: Energy Efficiency and the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill
This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced more than 630 new projects across the country under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). These new projects will help producers and...
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