Have you heard of the Rural Tour? Sponsored by the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Rural Tour’s mission is an effort to engage in a more robust dialog with folks living in rural America. The tour is crossing the nation – click here to find out if a stop is near you! If you can’t make it to … Read More
Secretary Vilsack Seeks Nominations for Dairy Advisory Committee
Do you know of a dairy man or woman who would make a good nomination for the new Dairy Industry Advisory Committee established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is seeking your nominations for the new Committee. Written nominations must be received on or before September 28, and should be sent to Judith Lindsay, … Read More
Vilsack Announces Immediate Increase
Glad to hear a little bit of good news for our country’s struggling dairy farmers! Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today announced that the Obama Administration is taking immediate action to support struggling dairy farmers by increasing the amount paid for dairy products through the Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP). USDA estimates show that these increases, which will be in place … Read More
Advisory Panel to Help Avert Drops in Dairy Prices
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will appoint an advisory board to recommend how the government can avert further freefalls in the price dairy farmers are paid for milk, his office said. The advisory board, whose membership has yet to be determined, could take the place of a congressionally mandated commission that was dictated by the 2008 farm bill but has yet … Read More
Vilsack to Help Dairy?
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signaled Wednesday that he may take measures to put more dairy products in federal nutrition programs, possibly easing the blow of falling milk prices on dairy farmers. But he was less enthusiastic about boosting exports, which could lead to complaints from U.S. trade partners. In a press conference, Mr. Vilsack said he would not comment about … Read More
Vilsack Confirmed as Ag Secretary
The U.S. Senate confirmed former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as U.S. agriculture secretary on Tuesday, a job he plans to use to promote renewable energy including biofuels and put healthier food in America’s school meals. Vilsack was among five of President Obama’s cabinet nominees to be approved on a unanimous vote a couple of hours after Obama took office. A … Read More
Vilsack to Likely be Tagged Ag Secretary Wednesday
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to announce former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as his pick for Secretary of Agriculture on Wednesday. Sources spilled the beans to the Associated Press today. Vilsack, who was an early presidential contender (dropped out before the primaries) has little experience in agriculture other than being the governor of a farm-rich state. But, politically, he’s apparently … Read More