2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum Preview: International Trade

From USDA:

Posted by Phil Karsting, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, on January 15, 2015 at 11:00 AM

USDA is committed to addressing the challenges of international trade, and providing solutions.  As we look forward to USDA’s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, Feb. 19-20, 2015, in Arlington, Virginia, speakers and attendees will have the opportunity to discuss relevant issues on a wide range of international as well as domestic topics.

We live in a world where domestic agriculture and international trade are inseparable.  We can’t talk about one without discussing the other. In 2014, American ag exports soared to a record $152.5 billion, and accounted for 20% of U.S. agriculture income.

Trade and foreign market access affect not only rural economies, but the overall economic health of nations – including ours. In that spirit, I’m happy to welcome Phil Hogan, the European Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, to the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum.  He will join our own Secretary Tom Vilsack during the plenary session for a discussion that promises to be insightful.

The United States and the European Union are far more alike than they are different when it comes to agricultural and rural issues.  We both stand to benefit substantially from a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership package that includes bold action on agriculture. Cooperation between the United States and our global trading partners not only facilitates trade, but can help improve food safety and security and foster rural economic development around the world.

Our participation in the global economy means that trends in other markets have a large impact here at home. One of our key goals at USDA (and FAS) is to keep our stakeholders abreast of global trends and the impact they might have on U.S. agriculture. During the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum, two key sessions will focus on international trade: Driving Forces in Changing Global Markets and Growing Markets for U.S. Exports. I hope you can join us as we explore these international markets and new opportunities for American agriculture.

For more information and to register for the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum, please visit www.usda.gov/oce/forum.

U.S. Softwood Exports Making Headway in Thailand

From USDA:

Posted by Ryan Brewster, International Agricultural Training Specialist, Cochran Fellowship Program - Asia Region, Foreign Agricultural Service, on January 7, 2015 at 1:00 PM

A delegation of Thai lumber company executives (including Opas Panitchewakul, Pracha Thawornjira, Jaroonsak Cheewatammanon, Khomwit Boonthamrongkit and Wasant Sonchaiwanich) tours the Mauvila Timber distribution warehouse in Loxly, Ala., with Lane Merchant (left), the company’s general manager.

The pine forests of Georgia and the Pacific Northwest are a far cry from the crowded streets of Bangkok, where several shipments of U.S. softwood products are headed thanks to a collaborative effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the Southern Forest Products Association and the Softwood Export Council.

In June 2014, executives from five Thai lumber companies visited the United States under the auspices of FAS’s Cochran Fellowship Program. Thanks to the knowledge they gained and the relationships they forged with the U.S. softwood industry during their visit, several participants subsequently made first-time purchases of U.S. softwood. These initial purchases are a big step for U.S. softwood producers to make headway into the $58 million market in Thailand.

The Thai visitors received an extensive overview of the U.S. wood products industry, focusing on everything from grading and treating of wood, to sawmill operations, to export regulations. They toured nurseries, sawmills, a treatment plant, export warehouses, and even construction sites where they could see U.S. softwood being put to use.

The participants credited the Cochran training with providing them a greater understanding of U.S. softwood, even helping them better differentiate qualities of U.S. softwood from similar products from New Zealand and Australia.

Mr. Khomwit Boonthamrongkit, managing director of SBP Timber Group, said, “The knowledge I gained from the Cochran softwood training program is very useful. I really want to learn more about U.S. softwood species and applications of those species, and because of the training I plan on setting up an agent to facilitate my company’s requirement and inspection of U.S. lumber imports.”

The Cochran Fellowship program is one way FAS helps promote food security and build stronger trade relationships with middle income countries and emerging markets. Since 1984, the program has trained more than 16,300 fellows from more than 120 countries. To learn more about the Cochran Fellowship program, visit www.fas.usda.gov/programs/cochran-fellowship-program.

USDA Export Development Program Helps Boost U.S. Blueberry Exports

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Allison Eckhardt, Foreign Agricultural Service Public Affairs Specialist, on April 16, 2014 at 11:00 AM

Deborah Payne, with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, talks with potential customers at the Gulfood 2014 trade show in Dubai.

Spring is here and brings with it many fresh healthy foods, including blueberries. Known for their antioxidants, vitamins and fiber, blueberries are a healthy option that is becoming more popular around the world and the U.S. blueberry industry is taking advantage of this demand with the help of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Market Access Program (MAP).

Through MAP, FAS partners with U.S. agricultural trade associations, cooperatives, state regional trade groups and small businesses to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities that help build commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products and commodities.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) represents over 2,500 growers in 38 states who sell fresh, frozen and processed blueberries. Members export to Canada (their largest market), Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, the Middle East and Mexico.  U.S. agricultural organizations representing producers, and individual small and mid-sized enterprises, benefit from MAP funding provided through nonprofit state and regional trade groups known as STRGs.  The funding, made available through the 2014 Farm Bill, supports marketing and promotional activities such as trade shows, market research, educational seminars and trade missions.

“Our market success begins with a visit to FAS staff in a particular country,” said Thomas Payne, USHBC market development consultant. “They give us a perspective of the market and facilitate valuable introductions with buyers. It’s essential for us to be in a U.S.-themed area so foreign visitors know where to find us.”

Through research, USHBC learned how different countries and regions use blueberries for health benefits. The Middle East is interested in blueberries to treat diabetes; in Asian countries there is a link between blueberries for health and beauty. To reach these markets, USHBC participates in the MAP through the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA), an SRTG, whose members are the 13 western state departments of agriculture.  WUSATA receives MAP funds to support small and mid-sized exporters, helping them explore and expand sales in international markets.

Payne said FAS also helps USHBC overcome trade barriers and navigate the required processes for U.S. blueberries to gain access to certain markets around the world. This is important as USHBC’s long-term goal is to export 15 percent of its blueberries.

“To achieve this we need to succeed in countries such as Brazil, Russia, India and China. These markets are massive and complex and we’ll need FAS’ continued presence and guidance,” said Payne.

This year, FAS awarded funding directly to more than 60 U.S. agricultural organizations to help open and expand commercial export markets for American products.  USDA will begin accepting applications for 2015 export development program funding on April 17, 2014.   Applicants can apply via the Unified Export Strategy online application system. Information is available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/unified-export-strategy.

USHBC’s success in exporting is an example of how FAS helps promote U.S. agricultural exports, which are currently experiencing the strongest five-year period in our nation’s history.

For more information about FAS programs, visit www.fas.usda.gov.

USDA Helps Haiti Measure Agricultural Production

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Victoria Calderon, International Programs Office, National Agricultural Statistics Service, on April 15, 2014 at 11:00 AM

Haitian farmer taking produce to the market. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service helped Haiti produce that country’s first-ever Statistical Agricultural Production Report, to be released tomorrow.

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from the USDA’s rich science and research portfolio.

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, and helping improve the world.

Following the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture saw the need for market information and reliable and timely agricultural data. With the help from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the government surveyed farmers across Haiti and will publish the responses in its first-ever Statistical Agricultural Production Report, scheduled to be released tomorrow, April 16.

USDA and USAID jointly assisted the Haitian government in an effort to improve the quality and quantity of agricultural information available to Haitian decision makers with funding managed by the Foreign Agricultural Service.

Prior to this effort the Haitian government would contact officials in each of the 10 departments and ask for data on the agricultural production. This information was neither standardized nor verifiable, which meant that the work to develop a statistically viable system had to be started virtually from scratch.

The international team involved nine NASS employees, 15 employees from the Agricultural Sub-Structure of Statistics and Informatics (SSSAI) and Ministry of Agriculture Natural Resources and Rural Development of Haiti (MANNDR), 200 local enumerators, 30 local supervisors, and many other USDA and Haitian government officials. Eighty percent of the 4,975 farm operators who were included in the sample responded to the survey.

NASS collaborated with the SSSAI providing guidance on the design, sample, procedures, training, analysis and implementation of the nationwide survey during 2013. We also helped develop the list frame system and a data summarization system.

The report will include data on Haiti’s livestock and spring crop season. Data will be reported at the national level and for each of its ten departments. But this report is just the first step in Haiti’s quest to strengthen its food security. Haiti has three growing seasons and this report only reflects data from the spring season.

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USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Visits Colorado's USDA Employees and Tours Flood Impacted Areas

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Petra Barnes, Colorado State Public Information Officer USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, on October 29, 2013 at 4:00 PM

Undersecretary Robert Bonnie (second from left) is briefed by NRCS Soil Conservationist Don Graffis. Graffis discussed NRCS recovery efforts in the wake of a 2013 flood near Lyons Colorado. NRCS photo.

Recently, Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie visited Colorado to connect with USDA employees in the wake of the government shutdown.  On the morning of Wednesday, October 23rd Undersecretary Bonnie traveled to Fort Collins to host a USDA “family meeting” and listen to nearly 100 employees as they shared comments, asked questions, and voiced concerns. The Undersecretary fielded numerous questions during the structured event, while after several employees shared their appreciation for the chance to hear from and interact with leadership within the Department.

Later in the afternoon the Undersecretary participated in a tour that helped provide a hands-on account of the impact and devastation resulting from the recent flood which was only compounded because of the 2012 wildfires.  The first leg of the tour was led by Donald Graffis, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil conservationist in Longmont, Colo., while Sylvia Clark, Forest Service (FS) district ranger in Boulder coordinated the second half.  Phyllis Ann Philipps, NRCS State Conservationist in Colorado and Dan Jiron, FS Regional Forester were also on hand during the tour.

“There is so much damage.  It was difficult to look in any one direction and not see where some assistance was needed,” said Philipps.  NRCS began the tour in Lyons focusing on the debris and destruction within the town caused by the St. Vrain River.  The group then traveled to Apple Valley which hosts numerous small acreage landowners and then on to an area leading to Estes Park where in both locations the Undersecretary was able to visit and hear firsthand from those impacted including a small acreage landowner as well as a church caretaker who graphically described the damage to the church.  “There are no shortage of touching stories and people in need as a result of this flood.  It’s one thing to read about them, but to see it in conjunction with those impacted telling you their story moves you even more.”  Upon the FS leading the group, they traveled down Left Hand Creek and up Left Hand Canyon, stopping along the way to further detail challenges.  Finally the group stopped in what remains of Jamestown; a small community that sits in a narrow canyon along James Creek.  Jamestown is widely considered to have been the hardest hit.

With the programs USDA agencies manage and administer through technical and financial assistance, they are no stranger to responding to those in need during crisis and in the aftermath of disasters.  They must work together, and on this trip in addition to witnessing the tragic impacts of the 2012 wildfires and the 2013 flood, Undersecretary Bonnie was also able to see firsthand the partnership between NRCS and the FS as they progress in their recovery efforts.

GIPSA's National Grain Center Hosts Secretary Tom Vilsack

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Mary Coffey Alonzo, Director, National Grain Center, GIPSA, on October 29, 2013 at 3:00 PM

Sec. Tom Vilsack visited the grain grading laboratory of GIPSA's Board of Appeals and Review (BAR) and the Grading Service Laboratory (GSL) on October 23, 2013. BAR staff explain their grading review process while BAR Chairman Jim Whalen looks on.

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) National Grain Center (NGC) was proud to host Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Wednesday, October 23.  The NGC, located in Kansas City, MO, is home to the Federal Grain Inspection Service’s (FGIS) Technology and Science Division along with staff from FGIS’ Quality Assurance and Compliance Division and Field Management Division.

The grain inspectors, scientists and engineers at the NGC provide a broad spectrum of grain inspection services and support within recently renovated state of the art laboratories.   During the visit, NGC staff demonstrated how they oversee, develop and approve methods and instruments used for grain inspection that ensure the consistent standard of measuring quality essential to grain marketing.

Members of the Board of Appeals and Review (BAR) and the Grading Services Laboratory (GSL) described their critical role within the grain inspection process.  When a grain quality factor is measured through sensory evaluation – how the grain looks or smells – all grain inspectors looking at and smelling the grain sample must be looking for exactly the same thing.

Tom Weber, Leader of GIPSA's Trace Analysis Laboratory, explains the process of preparing and testing grain samples for the presence of pesticide residues as Dr. Tim Norden, Chief of GIPSA's Analytical Chemistry Branch, and Mary Alonzo, Director of GIPSA's Technology and Science Division, watch.

The BAR’s experienced eyes and noses establish the point where a quality factor impacts a grain sample’s overall grade.  The GSL monitors the accuracy of individual grain inspection results while the BAR monitors the overall grain inspection results against the BAR’s standard of performance.  Both resolve appeals of grain inspection results determined at the initial point of inspection.  The BAR’s interpretation is USDA’s final and binding determination.

Equating the process to finding a needle in a haystack, Dr. Tim Norden described how specialized instruments allow his team to analyze grain samples for trace amounts of pesticides and mycotoxins.

The results are often used to confirm that U.S. grain meets international limits for these harmful chemicals.  Dr. Norden also emphasized that evolving technology requires that his staff and laboratory constantly maintain their skills.

The NGC’s Biotechnology Laboratory develops and validates methods to identify genetic events in grain.  Dr. Tandace Bell, Chief, Biotechnology and Analytical Services Branch, discussed the multi-step process used by her team.  Dr. Bell also emphasized the collaborative nature of biotechnology methods development.  GIPSA’s Biotechnology Proficiency Program, now in its tenth year, collaborates with over 200 laboratories around the world to ensure their ability to accurately detect genetic events.  GIPSA also works closely with other USDA agencies with biotechnology programs.

Dr. Tandace Bell, Chief of GIPSA's Biotechnology and Analytical Services Branch, discusses with Secretary Vilsack GIPSA's role in supporting agricultural biotechnology.

Test weight and moisture are the most commonly measured quality factors in all types of grain.   FGIS has developed a prototype for a training tool to improve inspector skills.

Secretary Vilsack was able to see that technique does indeed make a difference while trying out a test weight trainer being developed by FGIS.  The test weight trainer measures a grain inspector’s strike off technique against the approved standard.  New and experienced grain inspectors can use it to perfect their technique on this critical measurement.

FGIS approved two instruments to measure moisture in all officially graded commodities over the past year.  The Unified Grain Moisture Algorithm (UGMA)-Compatible moisture meters offer improved performance under a wider range of conditions.  Dr. Dave Funk, GIPSA’s Chief Scientist, developed the UGMA algorithm that is the basis of the measurement process of the new meters.  Dr. Funk recounted the development process, and demonstrated how the two machines offer equivalent results.

The renovated NGC enhances GIPSA’s ability to certify the accuracy and stability of instruments that measure various quality factors in grain.

We all thank Secretary Vilsack for allowing us to show him how the NGC and FGIS support U.S. agriculture.

TSD engineer Jason Jordon demonstrated to Secretary Vilsack the proper method for leveling off grain in the kettle used to measure test weight.

Ag Statistician Goes from NCAA to NASS

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by King Whetstone, National Agricultural Statistics Service, on October 29, 2013 at 2:00 PM

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from USDA’s rich science and research portfolio.

2013 is the International Year of Statistics. As part of this global event, every month this year USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will profile careers of individuals who are making significant contributions to improve agricultural statistics in the United States.

Growing up in Texas, you’re never far removed from agriculture. Even though I grew up in Houston, my grandparents had a beef operation and I’ve always believed that agriculture is simply in my blood. I also knew that I had a passion for numbers, so when time came for me to pick a college major, Agricultural Economics seemed like a great combination of my two passions.

I earned my degree from Prairie View A&M University in Texas. During my junior year, I joined USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Texas Field Office as an intern, which ended up transforming into a full time position with the agency’s Arkansas office after my graduation.

In my 16 years with NASS, I have worked in many states, ranging from Hawaii to New York, until I finally ended up in my current position as the Director of NASS’ Northeastern Regional Field Office. I now get to guide and oversee all activities of the regional office as well as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and the New England state offices, ensuring that the survey and estimating programs meet mission requirement.

My college experience largely shaped my leadership ambitions and skills. In addition to focusing on my economics and statistics studies, I was also the captain of my college’s basketball team during my senior year in 1998, and under my captaincy, Prairie View basketball team made the only NCAA appearance in the school’s history. Going through this experience showed me that I truly enjoy being a leader. I loved building up teamwork, developing game plans, and strategically planning the team’s tactics. These were all the skills that I still use today in my current position.

I also enjoy the ability to connect with folks across all sectors and levels in agriculture. Not only do I get the chance to establish and maintain relationships with top government and private sector officials who are involved in my region’s agricultural economy, but I also have an opportunity to closely work with local farmers and ranchers. I’m also a very active participant in the Ag in the Classroom program. I have visited many schools, especially during my stint at the New York Field Office, speaking to kids about careers in agriculture. I hope to inspire more children to see that agriculture industry is extremely diverse, and that if you have a passion for numbers and agriculture, like I did, there can be a bright future for you as an agricultural statistician or economist.

On the One Year Anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, USDA Looks Ahead

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Wayne Maloney, Office of Communications, on October 29, 2013 at 10:45 AM

U.S. Forest Service crewmember Bill Scripp finishes the job of sawing downed trees at Forest Park in Queens, NY on Nov. 4, 2012 to make passage safe for residents. The park is a major walking thoroughfare, including popular recreational trails. Bill Scripp belongs to the Wayne National Forest, in Ohio Valley, OH. USDA photo by Dave Kosling.

All this week, Americans are pausing to reflect on the devastation caused when Hurricane Sandy slammed ashore on the eastern seaboard.  Over 160 people died, property was damaged, lives were disrupted, families were torn apart and jobs were affected.

USDA helped the recovery effort in a number of ways, and while we are proud of our work, we also learned from the experience in order to assist those affected by future catastrophes.

Our first task was helping those who were facing hunger.  Following a disaster, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides nutrition assistance to disaster survivors through disaster USDA Foods Distribution Programs and by authorizing the implementation of the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D­ SNAP).  In addition, FNS approves waivers that simplify the SNAP benefit replacement process to aid ongoing SNAP households affected by a disaster.

Hurricane Sandy affected the area from Florida to Maine, causing extensive flooding, leaving more than 8.5 million customers without power, and contributing to severe fuel shortages in parts of New Jersey and New York.  The storm damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes.  In total, 24 counties in three states issued over $5.7 million in D-SNAP benefits to over 12,000 households, and almost 242,000 SNAP households received over $38 million in automatic supplemental benefits.

Seven states issued over $115 million mass SNAP replacement benefits to over 1 million affected households; and two States received hot foods waivers.  In addition, over 1.1 million pounds of USDA Foods worth $1.7 million was provided to meet congregate and household nutrition assistance needs in New York and New Jersey, and an estimated $14 million in free meals were provided through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. We did it all with the help of our private and governmental partners.

Large numbers of trees fell, wires toppled, communications were disrupted.  The Forest Service mobilized.  At the height of the hurricane response effort, approximately 1,200 interagency firefighters organized by the U.S. Forest Service were sent to the impacted areas to provide assistance to communities in need.  Afterward, the Natural Resources Conservation Service moved in to assist five states through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.  Debris were removed from waterways, and now the NRCS is working to process applications for floodplain easements to ensure that the effects of future storms are minimized.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Animal Care (AC) program supported FEMA operations at the National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C.,  following Sandy.  APHIS AC helped to connect animal response organizations to FEMA resources.  It was the first time APHIS Animal Care assisted in the mobilization of resources in response to state requests.

APHIS also staffed FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) in conjunction with its partners at the National Alliance of State Animal and Agriculture Emergency Programs (or NASAAEP) and the National Animal Rescue Sheltering Coalition (or NARSC) to facilitate private organizations’ support of people in disasters.  For example, PetSmart Charities worked on behalf of NARSC to set up distribution centers in three states to coordinate distribution of pet food and two members of the APHIS Animal Care Program Response team were deployed in advance of Sandy’s landfall to prepare to assist pet owners and owners of production animals.

These are just a few of the many examples of efforts undertaken by USDA employees to assist those in need. In times of disaster, USDA is ready to help.  Read more about our emergency preparedness and response efforts here.

To learn more about government-wide efforts to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Sandy click here.

Farm to School Programs Come to Life on Video

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Deborah Kane, National Director, USDA Farm to School Program, on October 28, 2013 at 4:00 PM

In this video from Georgia Organics kids take a survey after tasting new foods.

Right before the Academy Awards I race around trying to see all the films that have been nominated. And right about now, with Farm to School Month about to come to a close, I’m feeling the same way about trying to absorb all the great information being shared this month.

As the USDA Farm to School Census shows, schools across the country are putting local foods on the school menu at breakfast, lunch and dinner; taking trips to the farm; integrating lessons about food and agriculture into the school’s curriculum; and sowing seeds in school gardens.

Lucky for me, and you, more and more school districts are documenting their good work through film. I took a break recently and got caught up. Here are just a few videos that I’d nominate for an Academy Award if there were a category for “Best Local Lunch Video.”

Bringing the Beef to School
Fifth generation ranchers visit student classrooms, and even bring their most cherished ranching tool: their horse. Honorable mention for taking advantage of the beautiful Montana countryside for an enthralling studio set. Saddle up for a beautiful ride here.

Try It, You Might Like It
Georgia Organics presents a documentary on how to help kids try new foods. They’ve got nine easy steps here.

Changing Lives in DC
By providing a culinary job training program for unemployed, underemployed, previously incarcerated persons, and homeless adults, DC Central Kitchen is changing lives and changing school food at the same time here.

The Kale Chip Test
How do kids at Lemon Grove School District, CA, feel about kale chips? Students in a newly formed “farm to school club” surveyed their peers and found out. See the results here.

Oregon’s AM Northwest
A popular morning talk show in Oregon dishes up farm to school lessons every month. Learn about healthy changes in the cafeteria here and wake up and get energized from some young gardening gurus here.

Cooking with Love in Chester, PA
These chefs and bakers at Chester Upland School District are more like a family, cooking up over 30,000 meals per day, all with a smile. The secret ingredient in their kitchen? Love. Learn more about the culinary family here.

Ripe Watermelons in Fayetteville, AR
Students at Fayetteville Public Schools in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a USDA Farm to School Grantee, learn how to tell if a watermelon is ripe, and other farm to school facts here.

Editor’s Note: How do the schools in YOUR community bring the farm to school? Please make sure your district is counted by accessing the Census results online. USDA will be accepting additional submissions to the USDA Farm to School Census through November 30, 2013. To receive information and updates about USDA’s Farm to School Program, please sign up for our Farm to School E-letter.

Schools in Montana are finding ways to put local beef on the menu.

Helping SNAP Recipients Prepare for November 1st Benefit Changes

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, on October 28, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will see their monthly benefits decrease beginning on November 1^st. As USDA’s top official in charge of the program, I want to ensure that SNAP recipients know that this change is coming and understand what it means for you and your families.

As you know, the amount of SNAP benefits each eligible household receives depends on many things, such as income, household size and expenses. In addition, SNAP households have been receiving an increased amount of benefits because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), a piece of legislation that provided a temporary boost in benefits to help individuals and families impacted by the economic downturn.

However, the portion of the ARRA legislation that provided these additional benefits ends on October 31. As a result, beginning on November 1, your monthly benefit will decrease. The amount of the decrease depends on your household size.

Assuming no other changes in income, household size, or expenses between October and November, the table below shows the decrease in SNAP benefits in November by household size.

Household Size	Difference
1	-$11
2	-$20
3	-$29
4	-$36
5	-$43
6	-$52
7	-$57
8	-$65
Each additional person	-$8

This change will affect each household. To make sure you get the correct SNAP benefit, give your caseworker information about your household.

As November approaches, I want to remind you of the USDA resources available to help plan and prepare healthy meals at a low cost, including:

• Plan, Compare and Prepare, tips to save money and eat healthier.
• Eat Right When Money’s Tight, tips to help stretch food dollars further.
• The USDA Recipe Box helps people find healthy low cost recipes and create cookbooks and shopping lists.
• 10-Tips Nutrition Series with easy-to-follow tips for a healthy diet.
• ChooseMyPlate.gov to learn more about building a healthy plate.

At USDA, we remain committed to ensuring that low income children and families have access to the critical nutrition assistance programs they need as they get back on their feet. If you are a SNAP recipient and have questions about your case or the change happening on November 1, contact your caseworker immediately or call your State’s information hotline.

USDA Blog » Local Food Makes the Grade: Farm to School and Beyond

USDA Blog » Local Food Makes the Grade: Farm to School and Beyond

Ancient Pacific Creation Legend Promotes Soil Health

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Mark Defley, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Guam, on October 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

Ancient Palauans feeding the giant child, Chuab. This painting is common on traditional meeting houses. Photo courtesy of NRCS.

Imagine talking about soil management to 50 farmers from Palau with a collective 1,500 years of experience. The Ngetkip Community’s minister of community and cultural affairs requested me, a resource conservationist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Palau, to talk about soil.

These farmers mostly have no formal education or training. They still farm mostly with hand tools and as their parents and grandparents taught them. They know what to do, what works well and how to do it. But they don’t necessarily know why.

So the challenge was to provide an understanding of the modern scientific context for their traditional knowledge. In addition to discussing soil chemistry and ecology, metaphors were a useful communication tool.

For this, I turned to the Palau creation legend of Chuab (OO-ahb) the Giant. In the days of the goddess Latmikaik, there were only the islands of Angaur and Peleliu. On Angaur, Latmikaik gave birth to a daughter named Chuab. She grew so quickly and tall that soon the villagers had to make a ladder to reach her mouth with food. As she grew towards the clouds they could no longer feed her.

The villagers became exhausted by these unending efforts to feed the ever-hungry child. So they confronted a disgraced Latmikaik, who consented to their plan to kill Chuab. Wood was piled at her feet and the fire was lit. As Chuab’s body fell, it broke into pieces and became the various islands of Palau.

Palau has red volcanic soil. Photo courtesy of NRCS.

From this story, we can imagine the islands as a body. In fact, this body has a red inside because of the red volcanic soils of Palau. But a healthy body needs skin to contain it. So over this body of red soil lie two protective layers. The first is a dense, green skin of trees, grasses, ferns and vines. This layer continuously sheds its leaves and branches to create the next layer. The second is the most fragile and most important layer of skin—the brown one. This is a thin organic topsoil, very easily washed away by Palau’s 150 inches of rain each year.

Like a cut to the body, all soil disturbance is damaging to the land and needs treatment. Indeed when it rains in Palau, the land bleeds red water full of sediment which washes to the sea, killing coral reefs. When a plow shovel or dozer cuts and exposes to the elements this body of the land, it must be covered so it can heal properly and quickly. So, much like a bandage, we use conservation practices to protect the skin of the land until the soil heals. These healing practices include mulching and tree and shrub establishment.

In fact, Palauan agriculture includes caring for both layers of skin. They continue their tradition of “feeding the soil” through mulching practices.

Chuab serves as a legendary bridge to connect modern science, traditional conservation practices and a world view backed by more than 3,000 years of agricultural refinement. Even though Palauan ancestors long ago stopped feeding the hungry child Chuab, the farmers of Ngetkip know that the land still and will always demand to be fed in order to grow, be healthy and provide for the children of Palau.

This land is using cover and mulch to improve soil health. Photo courtesy of NRCS.

How I Serve: The Importance of Public Service

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, on October 25, 2013 at 2:30 PM

Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden meets with USDA employees in Minnesota.

Yesterday, I visited with USDA employees in Minnesota to tell them how much their work means to the Secretary, myself and the American people. USDA employees across the country and around the world do critical work that impacts millions of lives and I could not be prouder.

Folks often ask me why I work in the federal government and my answer always is: it’s how I serve. Public service is at the core of our nation’s principles. Our founding fathers performed a public service when they laid the foundation for the United States of America—as they sat down to write the Declaration of Independence and as they worked each day afterward to create and maintain a nation.

Public service looks a bit different today. At USDA alone, we help people buy homes, connect rural schools and hospitals to the internet, feed underserved children during the school year and summertime, provide loans to farmers and ranchers, fight wildfires and keep our food system safe and secure. Our employees are the best and brightest in the business. Public service is an honorable profession and should not be taken for granted.

These are just some examples of our great work. For all this and more, I want to express my deepest thanks to the incredibly talented and dedicated workforce at USDA.

We Can't Wait

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Michael T. Scuse, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, on October 25, 2013 at 1:00 PM

Michael Scuse, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, listens to those impacted by the Atlas Blizzard in South Dakota.

Farmers and ranchers know many variables are sometimes not in their hands, especially when it comes to weather.  That’s why USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Tim Johnson asked me to travel to South Dakota this week to see firsthand the widespread destruction to livestock in the wake of the Atlas Blizzard, and to consult with affected producers on how USDA can help right now – - despite two years of Congressional inaction on the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill.

When I joined one farmer in his living room, learning how his livestock losses, including pregnant stock, meant years of income gone, I thought of Congress, how it lurches from one crisis to the next, and how that legislative atrophy creates real consequences beyond just American farmers but for entire rural communities.

This storm killed tens of thousands of livestock.  It’s a real financial emergency, yet USDA’s most helpful program in South Dakota and the neighboring states of Nebraska and North Dakota also hit by the snowstorm, the Livestock Indemnity Program, is unavailable until Congress acts.   We’re reminding everyone in the interim to keep careful records and to submit documented losses to their local Farm Service Agency office.

We’re also offering a special signup of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program through November 15th, 2013, to help producers dispose of livestock carcasses, replace destroyed fencing, and rebuild shelterbelts and other conservation practices damaged by the storm.  Special thanks to the State of South Dakota for its cost-sharing partnership with USDA on this effort.

And the USDA’s StrikeForce Initiative is working closely to connect Native American Tribes in the state with a variety of USDA resources, including conservation programs.

When our friends are sick or hospitalized, we take turns on their farm because they would do it for us, and today in South Dakota, people are coming together, creating relief funds and holding potluck fundraisers for those affected by the blizzard- – a spirit of cooperation that underlies rural America.  And with nearly one-fifth of the total veteran population living in rural America in 2011, don’t we need more of that spirit in Washington?

South Dakotans can count on USDA to use every single tool in our toolbox, but there are only so many tools.  We may have little control over the weather, but folks do have control over Farm Bills, and that control comes with responsibility to ensure that a full five-year Farm Bill is enacted at once.

If you agree, I invite you to share your story on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or other social media tools by using  #MyFarmBill to let everyone know how these programs are important to you.

This is an aerial view of cattle killed by the Atlas Blizzard in South Dakota on Oct. 10, 2013. Civil Air Patrol photo by David Small.

Dallas Schools Look to Source School Meals within the State of Texas

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Deborah Kane, National Director, USDA Farm to School Program, on October 24, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Dallas ISD launched a Harvest of the Month program during Farm to School Month. Each month the district’s cafeterias feature Texas grown fruits and vegetables. (Photo credit: Dallas ISD)

This post was written by USDA Farm to School Grantee Dallas Independent School District (ISD). Last November, the district became one of a cohort of 32 schools and districts across the country using USDA funds to spend a year planning a robust farm to school program, embedding best practices from the very start, and learning from their peers.

Guest post by Dora Rivas, Executive Director, Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services

The temperatures are below 95 degrees, there are high school football games every Friday night and the State Fair is in full swing – it must be October in Texas! October is also National Farm to School Month, a perfect time to reflect and celebrate all Dallas ISD Farm to School has accomplished over the last 12 months!

Dallas ISD is one of the largest urban school districts in the country with over 157,000 students in 220 schools, so the idea of implementing farm to school program district-wide was a bit daunting. Our first steps were to establish a definition of “local” and determine how much we were already spending on locally produced foods.  The definition we settled on is “anything grown or produced within the state of Texas.” By this definition, we determined that during the 2012-2013 school year, the district had spent $9,126,070 on “local” produce, baked goods, and dairy. (Editor’s note: You can learn more about Dallas ISD’s local procurement for the 2011-12 school year at the new Farm to School Census site.)

The next step was to determine how we could increase our “local” spending. To do this, we began to identify menu items that are available seasonally and worked with our produce distributor to find farmers who could provide those items. This process resulted in the decision to initiate a Harvest of the Month program. This initiative highlights Texas grown products on the cafeteria menu; offers monthly samples of Texas grown products called “Tasty Teaser” to students; and offers educational materials for classroom teachers and parents focused on produce grown seasonally in Texas.

Our greatest achievement during the planning year was bringing together a collaborative team with diverse expertise to lead our farm to school efforts. The team has been committed to the task at hand and dedicated to meeting regularly and working diligently to meet objectives. Being under the direction of the Food and Nutrition department, we were able to have the most immediate impact on menu planning, procurement, and marketing and promotion. The team also conducted a district-wide assessment of existing infrastructure (like school gardens) and policies (like the district’s wellness plan) that might serve to support our program; is leading efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of our work; planned a robust agenda of Farm to School Month activities; and is finishing up a Farm to School Implementation Plan to guide our efforts in future years.

As our program takes root and grows, our hope is to become increasingly integrated in our district, our community, and our local agricultural economy.

Happy to Farm to School Month!

Dallas ISD students watch a milking demonstration at the Texas State Fair as part of a Farm to School Month field trip. (Photo credit: Dallas ISD)

First African-American Smokejumpers Take their Last Jumps

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Deidra L. McGee, Office of Communication, U.S. Forest Service, on October 24, 2013 at 11:23 AM

L to R: U.S. Army Sgt. Clarence H. Beavers, Triple Nickles' Association President Joe Murchison, Smokey Bear, 2nd Lt. Walter Morris and Lt. Col. Roger S. Walden visited the U. S. Forest Service in Washington, D. C., March 26, 2010.

In the summer of 1945, a group of African-American paratroopers for the U.S. Army became smokejumpers assigned to a special Forest Service mission known as “Operation Firefly.” Also known as the Triple Nickles, they represented the 555^th Parachute Infantry Battalion for colored soldiers who set out to make a jump for change.

Two of these valiant, pioneering men recently passed away or “took their last jump” as the Triple Nickles Association likes to say.

Lt. Col. Roger S. Walden, 91, took his last jump on Sept. 17. Walden will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Second Lt. Walter Morris, 92, took his last jump on Oct. 13 and was memorialized on Oct. 19 in Palm Coast, Fla.

The Forest Service honored Morris, Walden and Clarence Beavers—the last surviving member of the Triple Nickles— during a March 2010 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“These highly skilled paratroopers used their military training in a different kind of combat few people were aware of,” Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said during the ceremony. “Fighting the fires that had the potential to do great harm to the nation in a time of war was dangerous, important work.”

The Triple Nickles’ original role was to minimize damage caused by balloon bombs launched by the Japanese across the Pacific Ocean with the intent to start forest fires in the western U.S. In the end, few of the incendiary devices reached U.S. soil, but the Triple Nickles were instrumental in helping the Forest Service fight naturally-caused fires.

“The Army kept Operation Firefly quiet because they didn’t want the Japanese to know that the balloon bombs had actually reached the U.S. coastline,” Morris said.

Prior to his death, Morris was to receive the prestigious ONYX Lifetime Achievement Award and the Legion of Merit Award on Oct. 26 during the 10th Annual ONYX Awards. The honors will be awarded posthumously. The Onyx awards recognize the accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans and those of the African Diaspora.

Both Morris and Walden hold a very special place in Forest Service history.  They will always be remembered for their bravery, sacrifice and groundbreaking achievements in wildland firefighting. We praise them for their courage and heroic service to the Nation with dignity, grace and valor. During a time of war and social prejudices, the commitment to serve their country through wildland firefighting was challenging and unique.

The Triple Nickles served in more airborne units, in peace and war, than any other parachute group in history. The 555th paved the way for African-American soldiers to become part of the prestigious 82nd Airborne Division, when the Triple Nickles were absorbed into that division after the integration of the military in 1947. The 555th Parachute Infantry Association, located in Tampa, Fla., was founded in 1979 to keep alive the legacy of the Triple Nickles. There are more than 1,000 members in 28 Triple Nickles’ chapters across the country.

First Winter Crop Deemed a Success with New High Tunnel

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Beverly Moseley, Natural Resources Conservation Service, on October 22, 2013 at 3:00 PM

Mildred Griggs of Marianna, Ark., installed a seasonal high tunnel through the USDA StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity.

Mildred Griggs, of Marianna, Ark., wasn’t looking for bragging rights when she installed her new seasonal high tunnel, last year, but that’s what she earned this spring after harvesting her first winter vegetable crop.

“We had the best salad green mix in the region,” says Griggs.

With the high tunnel, Griggs was able to extend her fall growing season of fresh produce into the winter months. Her harvest included lettuce, spinach, beets, carrots and greens.

“Some of this goes to the community, some is sold, and some of it we process for ourselves to eat,” she says.

Griggs’ property has been in the family since 1923, when cotton was the cash crop. But the family also worked to sustain their local community by giving fruits and vegetables from their orchards and garden to those in need. Griggs continues that tradition today.

The high tunnel was made possible in part to financial assistance she received from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, through the USDA StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity. The initiative addresses high-priority funding and technical assistance needs in rural communities in 16 states, including Arkansas, with an emphasis on historically underserved communities in rural counties with persistent poverty.

“I’m certain that we would not have had the seasonal high tunnel had it not been for StrikeForce and the meetings that were arranged from different representatives of USDA agencies through the state,” Griggs says.

StrikeForce uses community outreach meetings to inform attendees about USDA Farm Bill programs.

Derinda Smith, NRCS district conservationist in Marianna, has been a part of these outreach efforts.

“The USDA StrikeForce Initiative has afforded some of the smaller alternative crop producers to be eligible to grow their crops under the seasonal high tunnel,” Smith says, who has worked closely with Griggs throughout the application and installation process.

The two women have also worked on implementing water and soil resource conservation practices under the tunnel. For instance, Griggs now waters each plant via drip or micro-irrigation lines, which results in water use efficiency.

“She’s done a really great job with this seasonal high tunnel. She’s made it work for her and the community and that’s a really, really nice thing for her to do,” Smith adds.

Derinda Smith (left), NRCS district conservationist in Marianna, Ark. and Mildred Griggs, of Marianna, visit about resource conservation practices for optimizing vegetable production under a high tunnel.