Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the official launch of the AskUSDA Contact Center program. The AskUSDA Contact Center will serve as the “one front door” for phone, chat, and web inquires, transforming how the public interacts with USDA and providing an enhanced experience for the public. Prior to the creation and implementation … [Read more...]
USDA announces funding of 31 WaterSMART Initiative priority areas
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has selected 31 priority areas to receive $13 million in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding as part of the WaterSMART Initiative (WSI). These investments will help producers on private working lands better conserve water resources in … [Read more...]
USDA’s new rule expands access to broadband funding under select rural development programs
WASHINGTON – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand has announced that USDA released a final rule to allow the use of funds under select programs to help expand access to broadband services for America’s rural businesses and residents. Effective immediately, entities may be eligible to use up to 10 percent of a … [Read more...]
New USDA survey to measure areas for improvement
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new annual survey of farmers, ranchers and private forestland owners. The survey will help USDA understand what it is doing well and where improvements are needed, specifically at the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA). A selection of … [Read more...]
USDA invests $153 million in rural community facilities in 23 states
Improvements to benefit nearly two million rural Americans WASHINGTON, D.C., – The Trump Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $153 million to build and improve critical community facilities (PDF, 224 KB) to benefit nearly two million rural residents in 23 states. “Rural America needs safe, modern infrastructure to … [Read more...]