By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Lawmakers from across the Northeast are urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to strengthen enforcement and close loopholes in the National Organic Program that put regional farms at a disadvantage. A bicameral, bipartisan letter from lawmakers, […]
Tag: USDA
Local News, News Briefs, State News
Vermont Foodbank and Hunger Free Vermont continue food insecurity fight
USDA Covid-19 study findings show government programs were crucial The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Sept. 8 report indicated that food insecurity in the United States for the year 2020 remained level, as compared to pre-pandemic 2019 numbers. This result proves […]
Local News
25th annual rabies bait drop to halt the fatal disease begins Aug. 5
Vermont and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services mark a quarter century of cooperative efforts to stop the spread of the rabies with the 25th annual rabies bait drop, scheduled to start Aug. 5. The week-long bait drop is […]
State News
Senate gives preliminary approval to universal school breakfast bill
Vt on track to be the first state to offer breakfast to all On Friday, April 30, the Vermont Senate approved a bill that would bring universal school breakfast to all Vermont schools by 2022. The bill (S.100) would make Vermont the first state in the […]
Featured, Local News
REDC secures $500,000 for business loans
RUTLAND—Through a combination of state grants and federal loans, Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) has secured $500,000 this year to be made available to Rutland County businesses. REDC is a non-profit, community-based organization whose mission is to encourage and enhance […]
State News
Leahy: Development investments top $222 million for Vermont
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Thursday that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) economic development investments in the Vermont now total more than $222 million during fiscal year 2017. Federal funds supported a broad range of activities in thirteen Vermont counties, including […]
State News
USDA invests $225 million in innovative conservation partnerships
On Tuesday, Jan. 3, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 88 high-impact projects across the country will receive $225 million in federal funding as part of the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). In addition, partners have proposed to contribute […]
News Briefs
Vermont Organic Farmers demystify “organic”
In response to requests from certified organic producers to help increase demand for organic products in the marketplace, Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF) has developed a collection of outreach materials that explain and support the organic certification process and promote organic […]