USDA

The article critiques U.S. administration policies in both agriculture and defense, noting that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins requested $11 billion for a farm rescue based on claims of improved market access. Simultaneously, the military spent billions due to the Iran war using funds guided by an unqualified secretary of defense. Overall, the text highlights spending failures, noting USDA spent $55 billion in one year addressing gaps in farm policy.

Dietitians advise cutting back on sugary drinks because they are a major source of added sugar and have been linked to increased risks of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and certain cancers. Instead, swapping these beverages for options like plain water or seltzer is recommended for improving overall gut health and energy levels. The advice extends beyond soda to include other sugary drinks such as energy and sports drinks.

Ari Rosenson first interviewed Wolfgang Puck at Spago when he was 10 for a school project. After this experience, he began working with Puck and spent time being taught skills like making omelets and pizzas. He now serves as the vice president of food and beverage for the LA and Maui operations at Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group.

Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue, a popular Pflugerville restaurant, will close on August 30 after nearly nine years in business due to economic challenges and rising beef costs. The USDA forecasts indicate cattle prices will remain high while beef production declines.

The Federal Government cut Hawaiʻi markets from the Food Stamps Program, reducing customers' access to food. This move also means stores can't purchase as much product from local farmers.

The USDA has issued a public health alert warning that a Curry Chicken Salad may be contaminated with listeria. Consumers are advised to take precautions due to the potential health risk.

The USDA issued a public health alert warning that a Curry Chicken Salad may be contaminated with listeria. Consumers are advised to take precautions due to the potential health risk.

The USDA will invest $25 million in a new sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona to combat New World Screwworm. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced this during a visit, joined by Arizona GOP Reps Andy Biggs, Juan Ciscomani, and Eli Crane.

The USDA approved emergency loans for New York farmers impacted by spring freezes on July 23, even though FEMA recently denied disaster aid for a winter snowstorm that affected downstate regions. The decision provides relief to agricultural sectors hit by adverse weather conditions.

The USDA reports that counties with at least 20% of residents over 65 have nearly tripled since 2010, with rural areas facing higher health risks from loneliness and social isolation. In North Dakota, the Aging in Community program addresses this by fostering neighbor connections for rural seniors.

The U.S. will begin a phased reopening of southern cattle ports on August 24, following a May closure due to a New World Screwworm outbreak, according to the USDA. The first port to reopen is in Douglas, Arizona.

SNAP participation has dropped by over 4.5 million people since July 2025, straining food banks and state agencies. Regulatory changes, including stricter eligibility rules and error rate penalties, have made the program harder to access, leading to increased demand for food bank assistance.

USDA union leaders are protesting a proposed relocation of over 2,500 employees from Washington, D.C., to regional offices, which they argue will lead to layoffs and hinder the department's core services. The Trump administration's plan, led by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, aims to reduce the D.C. workforce to 2,000 by 2025, with employees moving to locations in North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado, and Utah. The USDA has already lost over 20,000 employees since Trump's return to office, and critics warn further cuts will impact wildfire response and other critical functions.

The USDA has announced a $35 million program to assist states in combating damage caused by feral swine, which are invasive species responsible for over $3.4 billion in annual damage, including harm to agricultural landscapes.

The USDA asserts the food supply remains safe despite ongoing challenges with cyclospora and screwworm. Over 4,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed since May 1, marking the largest outbreak recorded.

The USDA has confirmed the safety of the food supply despite ongoing challenges with cyclospora and screwworm outbreaks. Over 4,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported since May 1, marking the largest outbreak on record.

USDA assures the public that the food supply remains safe despite a Cyclospora outbreak and New World screwworm spread. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the safety and affordability of the nation’s food supply.

Billie, a 64-year-old Asian elephant at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, was euthanized on July 20 due to advanced musculoskeletal disease. This follows the July 6 euthanasia of Sissy, another Asian elephant at the sanctuary, due to advanced osteoarthritis. Both elephants were transferred to the sanctuary in 2006 after a USDA case involving their previous owners.

Pueblo County Commissioners submitted a federal aid request via the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to address flooding risks in the Aspen Acres burn scar, caused by the seventh-largest wildfire in state history rendering soil waterproof.

Dr. Elec Atkinson from Novant Health emphasizes food safety during backyard barbecues, citing past outbreaks in Charlotte linked to contaminated food. Key recommendations include hand hygiene, using a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F, avoiding cross-contamination, and limiting time food sits out, especially in hot weather.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture reveals most beginning farmers in the U.S. do not farm full-time, with 72% reporting a primary occupation other than farming. The average age of beginning farmers is 47.1, women account for 41% of beginning producers, and nearly half of their sales come from crops. Many balance farming with off-farm jobs due to challenges like land access and market pressures.

The USDA revised its beef-export sales data, prompting criticism from a rancher who likened the situation to 'driving one more nail into the proverbial coffin' regarding U.S. agriculture data deterioration.

Eligible home buyers can use VA and USDA loans to purchase homes with a $0 down payment and no hidden monthly fees, offering an alternative to traditional mortgages requiring large upfront payments.

The USDA confirmed the first U.S. detection of New World screwworm in decades on June 3, 2026, in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas, indicating the parasite has spread north. The U.S. border remains mostly closed to Mexican live animals amid the crisis.

Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian argues that personal habits, not geographic access, are the main barrier to healthy eating in the U.S., citing technology like Instacart as a solution. He emphasizes meal planning and effort over convenience, despite rising grocery prices.

A Cyclospora outbreak has sickened over 1,000 Americans, prompting parents to question berry safety. Experts advise caution with berries, lettuce, and leafy greens, while social media offers conflicting advice on sanitizing produce. The global supply chain enables year-round berry availability, making them a staple in toddlers' diets despite current concerns.

Small farmers, including Lawrencia Rogers in Iowa, criticize the Trump administration for cutting USDA funding, citing 'DEI' and wasteful spending. The USDA's actions are seen as a betrayal after Trump campaigned on supporting farmers.

An Iowa farmer reports domestic fertilizer prices doubling due to global supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran and domestic market consolidation. Federal agencies are investigating potential collusion in the fertilizer market as prices strain agricultural producers.

An Iowa farmer reports a significant increase in domestic fertilizer prices, which he deems unsustainable. Federal agencies are investigating potential collusion in the fertilizer market amid global supply chain disruptions linked to the war in Iran. The USDA has allocated funds for fertilizer supply expansion and relief.

Marsha Blackburn's gubernatorial campaign ad features anti-China rhetoric, including smashing fortune cookies and claims to protect Tennessee farmland from Chinese acquisition, despite USDA data showing China owns less than 1% of U.S. farmland. The ad repeats themes from her 2024 Senate campaign, which also used Asian stereotypes and targeted the Chinese Communist Party.

The USDA reported a beef sales figure ten times higher than actual, later retracting the data. Brazil, the world's largest beef exporter, benefits from this inflated number as it continues to sell into the market.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office received a $9.7 million federal grant to expand its Wildland Fire Management Program, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program will enhance wildfire prevention through staff, equipment, vegetation clearance, and homeowner incentives for defensible space and home hardening.

Tribes in southwest Rhode Island, including Dawn and Cassius Spears of Ashawaug Farm, cultivate Narragansett heritage crops but face challenges expanding due to cuts in USDA programs under the Trump administration. The Biden administration introduced two pandemic-era programs (LFPA and LFS) to support tribal and local food purchases, but these were ended in 2025 under the Trump administration. Senators Jack Reed and Jim Justice proposed a new bill to create a permanent grant program for state and tribal food purchases.

The USDA killed 550 geese in a planned cull at an Alabama neighborhood's request due to overpopulation, with the HOA citing health concerns and past deaths linked to avian flu. The cull followed threats against agents and board members, prompting FBI and police investigations, and the HOA plans to enforce no feeding, harass geese, and continue egg oiling to prevent future overpopulation.

The USDA killed 550 geese at an Alabama neighborhood's request to address overpopulation, which had reached five times the safe threshold. The Heritage Plantation HOA cited health concerns and prior deaths from avian flu, while facing death threats and protests over the cull.

The USDA killed 550 geese at the request of Alabama's Heritage Plantation HOA due to overpopulation exceeding safe thresholds. The cull followed prior nonlethal efforts and health concerns linked to avian flu, with threats against HOA members and USDA agents prompting security measures.

California has banned 'Sell By' labels to reduce food waste, standardizing expiration date language to decrease confusion about food safety. The U.S.D.A. reports over one-third of food sold in the U.S. is wasted.

State and local governments provided over $500 million in tax subsidies to meat processing companies since 2006, with eight companies dominating U.S. meat production. Subsidies aimed to create 69,037 jobs across 805 deals, but employment in the industry declined from 118,000 to 71,000 between 2006 and 2023.

Virginia is experiencing a major heatwave this week, with additional headlines covering efforts to revamp Petersburg's schools, rising health insurance premiums, USDA approval for farmers affected by a freeze, and fishermen rescuing a 700-pound leatherback turtle from crab pot ropes.

Arkansas will implement a ban on using SNAP benefits to purchase candy and soda starting this week, despite a recent federal court ruling that invalidated similar restrictions in other states. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited public health concerns, including obesity and diabetes, as the rationale for the policy, which aligns with a federal campaign advocating for healthier food choices.