Tom Vilsack

March 16, 2010 -- WASHINGTON - Today four U.S. Senators urged Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, to extend the time period in which Chilean table grapes may be imported to the United States. In a letter to the Secretary, Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ted Kaufman (D-Del.), Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.), along with Congressman Bob Brady (D-Pa.-1st), noted that one of unfortunate effects of the devastating earthquake that struck Chile on Feb. 27 was substantial delay in the importation of grapes which typically enter U.S. markets through the Philadelphia, Delaware and New Jersey ports.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 funding is available again through three USDA programs to promote increased production of biofuel and bioenergy. The programs are authorized under the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (The Farm Bill).

* Applications for remaining FY 2009 funding under the Biorefinery Assistance Program (Section 9003), which uses loan guarantees to develop, construct, and retrofit commercial-scale biorefineries, must be received by June 1, 2010.    » read more »

Direct Certification Breaks down barriers and streamlines access for Children in Need

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced approximately $1.9 million in grants to five State agencies to increase enrollment in school meal programs through direct certification and verification processes.

Direct certification allows States and local educational agencies to automatically certify children enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program (TANF) for free school meals without the need for household applications. Medicaid records also can be matched to simplify verification of eligibility for school meals programs.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that utilities in seven states have been selected to receive funds that will create jobs and new business opportunities in rural America.

"Providing community development assistance, education, training and technical support to the residents of rural communities is critical to the Obama Administration's effort to build a strong and sustainable economy," said Vilsack. "This funding will create good jobs and new business development opportunities."    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 08, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that rural communities will receive support through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to plan for new water and waste disposal projects. Funding will be made available to the communities through a grant provided to the Virginia-based Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc.

"The Obama Administration supports the construction of new sanitation infrastructure that safeguards the health of rural residents," said Vilsack. "These funds will help ensure that operators of rural utility systems receive the training needed to plan new, safe reliable water systems."    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today discussed USDA's work to strengthen the American agriculture economy and revitalize rural communities in the keynote speech at the 2010 Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Calif. Vilsack focused on the USDA's efforts to increase exports of agricultural products to help American farmers, ranchers, and workers.

"USDA's continued work to expand trade opportunities for America's hard-working farmers and ranchers will play an important role in our effort to rebuild rural communities across the country," said Vilsack. "Increased trade will not only create important income opportunities for producers, but also the off-farm jobs that are so critical for revitalizing rural America."    » read more »

USDA Forest Service Training Underserved Youth for Today's Green Jobs

NAMPA, Idaho, March 5, 2010- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today unveiled a new direction for the USDA Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers (CCCs) that will train underserved youth for jobs in the emerging green economy. The green curriculum announced today will expand opportunities and pathways out of poverty through the promotion of public service, sustainable lifestyles, and vocational skills that will enable young people to compete for green jobs.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2010 -- The United States and Russia have reached an agreement to reopen the Russian market to U.S. pork and pork products, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said today.

"Exports are extremely important to the U.S. pork industry," Vilsack said. "Reopening the market with Russia - our fifth largest market last year - is excellent news for American hog producers."

The U.S. exported nearly 20 percent of our pork production in 2009. Russia imported $257 million worth -- six percent -- of U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports last year.    » read more »

FRESNO, Calif., March 4, 2010 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today pledged additional funding to assist California agricultural producers struggling to cope with drought-related water cutoffs. Dave White, Chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), made the announcement on Vilsack's behalf during a visit to California to meet with and listen to the needs of farmers.

"With the challenges to California farmers caused by three years of drought, we are making available much-needed assistance to some of the hardest hit producers," said White. "This funding will help farmers deal with the current conditions, such as preventing dust and wind erosion in fallowed areas and keeping trees and vines alive."    » read more »

Remarks As Prepared For Delivery At The National Press Club - February 23, 2010

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today spoke at a National Press Club luncheon to highlight the Obama Administration's priorities for the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and to advocate for the rapid passage of a strong reauthorization bill to improve the health and nutrition of our nation's children.

Below are Secretary Vilsack's remarks as prepared for delivery:    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2010 – Below is a statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the proposed FY2011 budget:

"I don't need to tell the American people that in 2009, America struggled through the most serious economic recession since the Great Depression. Families were forced to make difficult decisions. And more and more Americans had to rely on USDA to help put food on the table.    » read more »

Assists Blueberry, Pear, Potato, Peach, and Mixed Fruit Farmers and Producers

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2010 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA's intention to purchase $29.1 million worth of blueberry, pear, potato, peach and mixed fruit products for federal food nutrition assistance programs.

"These purchases will help stabilize prices and markets, stimulate the economy, and provide high quality, nutritious food to schools and food banks while assisting blueberry, pear, potato, peach and mixed fruit producers," said Vilsack.    » read more »

Federal Aid To Protect Water Resources and Create Jobs

January 25, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt was informed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today that the Obama administration has approved $29.7 million in funds for several local water and sewer projects.

“Over the past year, my office has been working with officials from towns on the Cape and Islands and the South Shore to secure rural development stimulus funding for a number of important local projects,” said Delahunt. “I want to commend the Selectmen and public works officials in each of these communities for their tireless support and for helping us make the case that federal funding is desperately needed here in our region in order to protect the environment and create jobs.”    » read more »

In total, $313.5 million for Middle Mile and Last Mile Projects Will Bring Broadband Service To Rural Customers

WASHINGTON, January 25, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of fourteen Recovery Act Broadband Infrastructure projects that will receive $309,923,352 through funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

An additional $3,551,887 in private investment brings the total to $313,475,239. Altogether, Congress awarded USDA $2.5 billion in Recovery Act funding to help bring broadband services to rural un-served and underserved communities.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2010 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $41.5 million in emergency funding to prevent the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) in Massachusetts.

"The USDA, along with our key partners in Massachusetts, has worked hard to contain and the Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive pest that has the potential to devastate our forests and backyard trees," Vilsack said. "These additional funds will allow for a more aggressive approach to ensure ALB does not spread to other areas in New England."    » read more »