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USDA to Host Great American Christmas Market in Washington D.C., Highlighting American-Grown Products

USDA to Host Great American Christmas Market in Washington D.C., Highlighting American-Grown Products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to launch the Great American Christmas Market, a two-day holiday event on the National Mall in Washington D.C. This event will showcase American-grown, raised, and made products from agricultural producers, artisans, and rural businesses across the United States. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the market aims to highlight the deep connection between American agriculture and Christmas traditions, from holiday meals to Christmas trees. The market will feature a diverse range of products, including fresh Christmas trees, wreaths, seasonal produce, artisan cheeses, specialty foods, honey, preserves, baked goods, premium meats, lavender products, and handcrafted gifts. This event also marks the final USDA activity associated with the nationwide commemoration of America's 250th anniversary, following the Great American State Fair and Great American Farmers Market held earlier in the year. Rollins is expected to officially open the m...

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins Unveils USDA Data Modernization Plan at Farm Progress Show

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins Unveils USDA Data Modernization Plan at Farm Progress Show

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins introduced the USDA's proposed data modernization plan at the 2026 Farm Progress Show. This initiative aims to enhance technological advancements already in use across the USDA, including satellite-based crop monitoring, geospatial analysis, cloud-based platforms, and improved online reporting tools. The plan also seeks to better coordinate the use of existing administrative data. According to Secretary Rollins, a key objective is to build trust and transparency with farmers by safeguarding producer privacy, clearly explaining data requests and usage, and providing avenues for farmer feedback. Iowa farmer Lance Lillibridge expressed encouragement regarding the USDA's efforts, noting that farmers are actively involved in the process and that improvements to agricultural data collection have long been necessary due to a perceived lack of trust in current reporting methods. Lillibridge emphasized the importance of accurate reporting for food and national security, stating ...

US farm agency reorganization lacks transparency, federal watchdog says

US farm agency reorganization lacks transparency, federal watchdog says

By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The US Department of Agriculture did not provide documentation showing it analyzed potential harms from its agency-wide reorganization, which lacked transparency, according to a report from a federal watchdog agency on Monday.

USDA Announces $472.5 Million Food Purchase to Support Domestic Producers and Food Banks

USDA Announces $472.5 Million Food Purchase to Support Domestic Producers and Food Banks

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to purchase up to $472.5 million worth of domestically produced food. This initiative aims to support American agricultural producers while simultaneously providing essential food supplies to food banks and other federal nutrition assistance programs. The planned purchases encompass a wide range of products, including $165.5 million in dairy products, $41 million in pork, and $20 million each in chicken and farm-raised catfish. Additionally, the USDA will acquire rice, legumes, various fruits, nuts, and Pacific whiting. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that these purchases are designed to benefit both the agricultural sector and individuals facing food insecurity. The Agricultural Marketing Service, a division of the USDA, will be responsible for procuring these products, which will then be distributed through charitable organizations and federal nutrition assistance channels across the country. This action comes as part of broader efforts to st...

Health ISAC Warns Healthcare Industry of Cyberattacks on Refrigeration Controllers Following French Blood Bank Incident

Health ISAC Warns Healthcare Industry of Cyberattacks on Refrigeration Controllers Following French Blood Bank Incident

Health ISAC, the information sharing and analysis center for the healthcare industry, has issued a security bulletin warning its members about a surge in cyberattacks targeting refrigeration controllers. This alert follows an incident where a major French blood bank, the French Blood Establishment, was targeted, resulting in dangerously high temperature settings in its cold storage rooms. The attacks manipulate operational technology (OT) systems, which control physical processes like cooling. While the French blood bank detected the activity in time to save blood samples, the incident highlights the vulnerability of these systems in healthcare, where temperature-controlled environments are crucial for life-saving materials like blood and vaccines. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have also published a fact sheet on threats to industrial refrigeration and cold chain monitori...

USDA Recommends 7-Day Refrigeration Limit for Hard-Boiled Eggs to Ensure Safety

USDA Recommends 7-Day Refrigeration Limit for Hard-Boiled Eggs to Ensure Safety

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advises that hard-boiled eggs, whether peeled or unpeeled, should be consumed within seven days of cooking and stored in the refrigerator. This guideline is crucial for preventing foodborne illnesses, as cooking eggs creates a thin layer of moisture under the shell, which can foster bacterial growth. The clock for this seven-day period begins the moment the eggs are cooked, not when they are peeled. Furthermore, cooked eggs must be refrigerated within two hours of coming out of the pot, or within one hour if the ambient temperature is above 90°F (32°C). Failure to adhere to this two-hour rule invalidates the seven-day storage recommendation. The USDA emphasizes that while cooking kills initial bacteria, it does not protect the egg from spoilage indefinitely, making proper and timely refrigeration essential.

USDA Commits Over $382 Million to Strengthen U.S. Beef Industry Amid Low Cattle Levels

USDA Commits Over $382 Million to Strengthen U.S. Beef Industry Amid Low Cattle Levels

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, has announced a commitment of over $382 million to programs designed to bolster the nation’s struggling beef industry. This significant investment addresses two primary challenges faced by cattle producers: limited meat processing options and the costs associated with maintaining productive grazing land. Vice President JD Vance also shared in these announcements. With the U.S. cattle herd at historically low levels, this funding is part of a broader federal initiative to support ranchers, enhance grazing conditions, and increase meat processing capacity. Specifically, $57.4 million will fund 147 independent meat processing grants through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, aiming to increase processing capacity and provide more options for producers. The remaining $325 million will support conservation projects via the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program, focusing on improvem...

Lincoln Memorial Continues to Symbolize Unity and Equality in U.S. History

Lincoln Memorial Continues to Symbolize Unity and Equality in U.S. History

The Lincoln Memorial, located at the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., remains a prominent symbol of unity, equality, and American democracy. Designed by architect Henry Bacon and completed in 1922, the neoclassical monument draws inspiration from classical Greek architecture, particularly the Parthenon. It features 36 massive Doric columns, representing the 36 states in the Union at the time of President Lincoln’s death in 1865. At its center is a large seated statue of Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Daniel Chester French, portraying him in a calm and thoughtful pose. Behind the statue are inscriptions of his Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address, both emphasizing national healing and unity. The memorial's design, utilizing white marble and open space, creates a sense of dignity and reflection, with its alignment to the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument enhancing its visual impact. The monument is managed by the National Park Service and attracts millions of visitors annu...

American Dairy Coalition Submits Fuel Relief Data to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins

American Dairy Coalition Submits Fuel Relief Data to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins

American Dairy Coalition Submits Fuel Relief Data to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins

USDA and CFTC Enhance Oversight of U.S. Agricultural Markets Through New Agreement

USDA and CFTC Enhance Oversight of U.S. Agricultural Markets Through New Agreement

USDA and CFTC Enhance Oversight of U.S. Agricultural Markets Through New Agreement

Thanksgiving Day Dining Options Around D.C.

Thanksgiving Day Dining Options Around D.C.

Fabulous feasts filled with turkey, cheesecake, sides, and more

University of Arizona Offers Screwworm Testing Kits to Livestock Producers Amid Outbreak

University of Arizona Offers Screwworm Testing Kits to Livestock Producers Amid Outbreak

The University of Arizona (U of A) is providing New World screwworm testing kits to livestock producers at nearly all U of A Cooperative Extension locations to aid in detection efforts. This initiative comes as four cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed in Arizona, prompting animal health officials to monitor for the parasite and take steps to prevent its spread. The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, entering through open wounds and causing serious damage if left untreated. Flavie Audion, a rangeland management specialist at the University of Arizona, explained that the screwworm feeds on live flesh and can impact a wide range of animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cats, wildlife, and potentially humans. When a case is confirmed, officials establish a mandatory 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) Infested Zone around the detection, within which live animals cannot leave without authorization from the state veterinarian.