29 Jun 2015

Enrollment for 2016 Dairy Margin Protection Program to Begin July 1

By USDA Office of Communications

PORTLAND, June 29, 2015 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that starting July 1, 2015, dairy farmers can enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Margin Protection Program for coverage in 2016. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy operations when the margin - the difference between the price of milk and feed costs - falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer. Harden made the announcement while visiting Wolfe's Neck Farm and dairy school in Freeport, Maine.

"More than half of our nation's dairy producers enrolled in the 2015 program, which exceeded our expectations for the first year of the program," said Harden. "We are confident that dairy farmers across the country will again take advantage of this safety net program for 2016. USDA will continue outreach efforts, including partnering with cooperative extension services, to ensure dairy producers are fully informed about the protections that this safety net program can provide during periods of market downturns."

The Margin Protection Program gives participating dairy producers the flexibility to select coverage levels best suited for their operation. Enrollment begins July 1 and ends on Sept. 30, 2015, for coverage in 2016. Participating farmers will remain in the program through 2018 and pay a $100 administrative fee each year. Producers also have the option of selecting a different coverage level during open enrollment each year. Margin Protection Program payments are based on an operation's historical production. An operation's historical production will increase by 2.61 percent in 2016 if the operation participated in 2015, providing a stronger safety net.

USDA also has an online resource available to help dairy producers decide which level of coverage will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The enhanced Web tool, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine their unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. Producers can also review historical data or estimate future coverage based on data projections. The secure site can be accessed via computer, mobile phone, or tablet, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dairy operations enrolling in the program must meet conservation compliance provisions. Producers participating in the Livestock Gross Margin insurance program may register for the Margin Protection Program, but this new margin program will only begin once their Livestock dairy insurance coverage has ended. Producers must also submit form CCC-782 for 2016, confirming their Margin Protection Program coverage level selection, to the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. If electing higher coverage for 2016, dairy producers can either pay the premium in full at the time of enrollment or pay a minimum of 25 percent of the premium by Feb. 1, 2016.

The Margin Protection Program was established by the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

For more information, visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy for more information, or stop by a local FSA office to learn more about the Margin Protection Program. To find a local FSA office in your area, visit http://offices.usda.gov.

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26 Jun 2015

Allergen-Free Peanuts Lead USDA Report Highlighting New Innovations in Ag

By USDA Office of Communications

USDA research last year also led to process for faster egg pasteurization, new methods of mosquito control

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report on discoveries by USDA researchers that have led to new patents and inventions with the potential for commercial application and potential economic growth. USDA innovations included in this annual report range from USDA supported research that could offer solutions for millions who suffer allergies from peanuts and wheat to safe mosquito control that can help halt the transmission of diseases they spread, and others.

"USDA has a proven track record of performing research that has tangible benefits for the American public, and studies have found every dollar invested in agricultural research returns $20 to our economy," said Secretary Vilsack. "USDA is now accelerating the commercialization of federal research, and government researchers are working closely with the private sector to develop new technology and transfer it to the marketplace."

USDA received 83 patents in Fiscal Year 2014, up from 51 patents in 2013. USDA filed 119 patent applications and disclosed another 117 new inventions, which may lead to future patents and are detailed in the Department's 2014 Annual Report on Technology Transfer released today. Helping drive these innovations, USDA has 267 active Cooperative Research and Development Agreements with outside partners, which includes Universities, and other organizations, and more than 100 small businesses. The USDA's technology transfer program is administered by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency.

Highlighted discoveries from USDA's 2014 Technology Transfer Report include :

  • Procedures to remove up to 98-percent of the allergens from peanuts without affecting the flavor;
  • A new process for pasteurizing shelled eggs using radio frequency energy that is 1.5 times faster than the current pasteurization process;
  • A portable method for identifying harmful bacteria in food that could improve the response to foodborne illness outbreaks;
  • A new method for mosquito control that specifically silences genes in the mosquito so it does not pose a danger to other insects, including pollinators;
  • A new soil nitrogen test that rapidly and inexpensively determines the total amount of nitrogen in the soil that is available to a plant, reducing costs for farmers while benefiting the environment;
  • Improved information on non-honey bee pollinators and methods for trapping bees to assure quality apple production.

Over the years, USDA innovations have created all sorts of products Americans use every day, from food products to insect controls, medicine to clothing. Here are just a few examples of things USDA research is responsible for:

  • A new kind of flour made from chardonnay grape seeds that can prevent increases in cholesterol and weight-gain;
  • "Permanent press" cotton clothing;
  • Mass production of penicillin in World War II;
  • DEET, the active ingredient in all the world's most effective and widely-used mosquito repellents;
  • Frozen orange juice concentrate;
  • Almost all breeds of blueberries and cranberries currently in production, and 80% of all varieties of citrus fruits grown in the U.S.;
  • "Tifsport", a turfgrass specifically designed to withstand the stress and demands of major team sports and used on sports fields across the country.

The 2014 Farm Bill will help to build on these accomplishments by establishing a new Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research that leverages $200 million in public funding and another $200 million from the private sector to support groundbreaking agricultural research.

More information about the USDA innovations contained in this year's report, as well as a look at previous USDA research discoveries is available on the we
17 Jun 2015

New Report Shows U.S. Biobased Products Industry Contributes $369 Billion, 4 Million Jobs to American Economy

By USDA Office of Communications

2014 Farm Bill provisions will expand opportunities in the biobased sector by promoting advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased product manufacturing efforts

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the release of a new report that shows the U.S. biobased industry is generating substantial economic activity and American jobs. He also announced changes under the 2014 Farm Bill that will create additional opportunities for growth in renewable plant-based materials, supporting the Obama Administration's efforts to develop a new, rural economy and promote creation of sustainable jobs.

"This report is the first to examine and quantify the effect of the U.S. biobased products industry from an economics and jobs perspective. Before, we could only speculate at the incredible economic impact of the biobased products industry. Now, we know that in 2013 alone, America's biobased industry contributed four million jobs and $369 billion to our economy," Vilsack said. "Today, we are also adding to the number of innovative products carrying USDA's BioPreferred® label and expanding options for our nation's biorefineries. This means small businesses and global companies alike can continue to harness the power of America's farms and forests to create new and innovative biobased products that are used all around the world."

According to the Economic Impact of the Biobased Product Industry report, each job in the biobased products industry is responsible for generating 1.64 jobs in other sectors of the economy. In 2013, 1.5 million jobs directly supported the biobased product industry, resulting in 1.1 million indirect jobs in related industries, and another 1.4 million induced jobs produced from the purchase of goods and services generated by the direct and indirect jobs.

The report builds on the "Why Biobased?" report released by the USDA in October 2014. Estimates are that the use of biobased products currently displaces about 300 million gallons of petroleum per year - equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road.

The Secretary also announced changes to include new forest products in the BioPreferred program, along with proposed changes to the former Biorefinery Assistance Program to assist in the development of cutting-edge technologies for advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased product manufacturing.

The final BioPreferred® program rules will no longer exclude mature market products (those that had a significant market share prior to 1972), providing consumers with more innovative wood products and other materials carrying USDA BioPreferred® label. Forest products that meet biobased content requirements, notwithstanding the market share the product holds, the age of the product, or whether the market for the product is new or emerging, also now meet the definition of "biobased product."

The Secretary also said today that USDA is making improvements to its Biorefinery Assistance Program (Section 9003). The program, which was renamed as the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program as part of the program's Farm Bill reauthorization, provides loan guarantees of up to $250 million for the construction and retrofitting of commercial scale biorefineries and biobased product manufacturing facilities. In a rule that will be published in the Federal Register next week, biorefineries that receive funding are allowed to produce more renewable chemicals and other biobased products, and not primarily advanced biofuels. Also, biobased product manufacturing facilities would be eligible to convert renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries into "end-user" products. The new regulations also implement a streamlined application process.

Created by the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized and expanded as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, the USDA BioPreferred program's purpose is to spur economic development, create new jobs and provide new markets for farm commodities. The BioPreferred program commissioned the independent Economic Impact of the Biobased Product Industry report, which is primarily authored by Dr. Jay Golden, Director of Duke University's Center for Sustainability & Commerce, and Dr. Robert Handfield, Professor of Supply Chain Management at North Carolina State University's Poole College of Management.

The report found that the seven major overarching sectors that represent the U.S. biobased products industry's contribution to the U.S. economy are: agriculture and forestry, biorefining, biobased chemicals, enzymes, bioplastic bottles and packaging, forest products, and textiles.

The study also includes location quotients by state to show the impact of the industry on individual states. Seven case studies are presented from stakeholders such as The Coca-Cola Company and PlantBottle packaging, Patagonia, and Ford.

Today's announcement was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The 2014 Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life.

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16 Jun 2015

USDA Opens Enrollment Period for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Safety-Net Programs

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2015 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that eligible producers may now formally enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2014 and 2015. The enrollment period begins June 17, 2015, and will end Sept. 30, 2015.

"The extensive outreach campaign conducted by USDA since the 2014 Farm Bill was enacted, along with extending deadlines, is central to achieving an expected high level of participation," said Vilsack. "We worked with universities to simplify these complex programs by providing online tools so producers could explore how program election options would affect their operation in different market conditions; these tools were presented to almost 3,000 organizations across the country. The Farm Service Agency also sent more than 5 million educational notices to producers nationwide and participated in over 4,880 educational events with more than 447,000 attendees. I am proud of the many committed USDA employees who worked hard over the last several months to provide producers support to help them make these important decisions."

The new programs, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, trigger financial protections for agricultural producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues. More than 1.76 million farmers have elected ARC or PLC. Previously, 1.7 million producers had enrolled to receive direct payments (the program replaced with ARC and PLC by the 2014 Farm Bill). This means more farms have elected ARC or PLC than previously enrolled under previously administered programs.

Nationwide, 96 percent of soybean farms, 91 percent of corn farms, and 66 percent of wheat farms elected ARC. 99 percent of long grain rice farms, 99 percent of peanut farms, and 94 percent of medium grain rice farms elected PLC. For data about other crops and state-by-state program election results go to www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc.

Covered commodities under ARC and PLC include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity.

The 2014 Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

16 Jun 2015

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Provide Development Support to Rural Cooperatives

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help rural cooperatives develop new markets for their products and services. USDA is making the grants available to non-profit corporations and institutions of higher education through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program.

"Cooperative organizations are important catalysts for economic growth and job creation in rural America," Vilsack said. "The lack of investment capital is often the key factor holding many rural areas back from economic prosperity. The investments that USDA is making available will help organizations start cooperatives, expand existing ones, boost sales and marketing opportunities, and help develop business opportunities in rural areas."

USDA's Rural Cooperative Development Grant program improves economic conditions in rural areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand or improve the operations of rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through cooperative development centers. Other eligible grant activities may include conducting feasibility studies and creating business plans.

USDA is making up to $5.8 million in grants available in Fiscal Year 2015. One-year grants up to $200,000 are available. In most cases, grants may be used to pay for up to 75 percent of a project's total costs. Recipients are required to match 25 percent of the award amount. The grants will be awarded prior to September 30, 2015. The recipients will have one year to utilize the awarded funds.

The application deadline is July 30, 2015. For additional information, see Page 34129 of the June 15, 2015 Federal Register or contact the USDA Rural Development State Office.

Earlier Rural Cooperative Development Grant funding from USDA helped to reopen a local Nebraska grocery store. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Cooperative Development Center (NCDC) used funding from an RCDG grant to provide technical assistance in forming a cooperative business that re-opened the only grocery store in the small town of Elwood, Nebraska. Community members formed a 10-member steering committee and worked with NCDC on business and finance issues and incorporation options as a cooperative. The cooperative was incorporated in May 2012 as the Elwood Hometown Cooperative Market and opened in February 2013. The Elwood Market keeps its vital place in the community thanks to support from USDA.

President Obama's historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.

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16 Jun 2015

USDA Begins Accepting Applications from States for $100 Million Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2015 - Following an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack on May 29, 2015, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced that all 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. may now apply for up to $100 million in grants under the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). The funding is to support the infrastructure needed to make more renewable fuel options available to American consumers. The Farm Service Agency will administer BIP.

USDA continues to aggressively pursue investments in American-grown renewable energy to create new markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers, help Americans save money on their energy bills, support America's clean energy economy, cut carbon pollution and reduce dependence on foreign oil and costly fossil fuels. A typical gas pump delivers fuel with 10 percent ethanol, which limits the amount of renewable energy most consumers can purchase at the pump.

Through BIP, USDA will award competitive grants, matched by states, to expand the infrastructure for distribution of higher blends of renewable fuel. These competitive grants are available to assist states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. with infrastructure funding. States that offer funding equal to or greater than that provided by the federal government will receive higher consideration for grant funds. States may work with private entities to enhance their offer.

CCC funds must be used to pay a portion of the costs related to the installation of fuel pumps and related infrastructure dedicated to the distribution of higher ethanol blends, for example E15 and E85, at vehicle fueling locations. The matching contributions may be used for these items or for related costs such as additional infrastructure to support pumps, marketing, education, data collection, program evaluation and administrative costs.

This new investment seeks to double the number of fuel pumps capable of supplying higher blends of renewable fuel to consumers. This will expand markets for farmers, support rural economic growth and the jobs that come with it, and ultimately give consumers more choices at the pump.

Applications must be submitted by July 15, 2015, using www.grants.gov. To locate, search by funding opportunity number "USDA-FSA-2015-22."

12 Jun 2015

Agriculture Secretary Discusses Economic Benefits of Thriving Forests and Communities during Wyoming Visit

By USDA Office of Communications

Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day-Part of Great Outdoors Month

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo., June 11, 2015 - Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will tour several sites on the Bridger-Teton National Forest to highlight how recreation and outdoor experiences contribute to economic vitality and sustained quality of life for rural and urban communities.  The tour will demonstrate how forests in Wyoming support more than 4.1 million national forest visits, about half of which come from residents of Wyoming. The Secretary will be joined by U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.

"Wyoming residents are no strangers to national forests in their state," said Vilsack.  "Millions of visitors take to the outdoors to enjoy awesome offerings such as skiing, hiking and bicycling. Residents of Wyoming understand as much as anyone the benefit of activities like these for enjoyable outdoor recreation, and also as important drivers of local economies. This weekend and throughout Great Outdoors Month, I encourage all Americans to visit America's forests and parks and commit to doing what we can to ensure they can be preserved and enjoyed by future generations."

Vilsack said partnerships are critical to the Forest Service's ability to support recreation opportunities and programs. Speaking at a trailhead being restored by members of a 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) crew made up mostly of Montana Conservation Corps AmeriCorps members, the Secretary and Chief Tidwell will thank the partner organizations; businesses; local, state, tribal and federal governments; volunteers; and 21CSC youth and veterans who partner and work with the Forest Service to support outdoor experiences. Representatives from the Wyoming Conservation Corps, Utah Conservations Corps, Friends of Pathways, and the Teton Science Schools will also be present at the event.

Outdoor recreation is a major industry in Wyoming. According to the State, nearly 12 percent of all Wyoming jobs depend on travel and tourism. In 2014, Wyoming hosted 10.1 million overnight visitors, resulting in $3.4 billion in direct spending. Taxes paid by visitor purchases saved each Wyoming household about $700 in taxes.

June is Great Outdoors Month and provides a chance for Americans to respond to calls by President Obama and governors alike to hike, bike, fish, camp, boat and otherwise enjoy the outdoors. Events include : free fishing opportunities and more during "National Fishing and Boating Week" (through June 14th); thousands of work and fun events on the American Hiking Society's "National Marina Day" and "National Get Outdoors Day," both offering easy introductions to outdoor fun (June 13th); The National Wildlife Federation's "Great American Campout" (June 27th) and more.

On National Get Outdoors Day, many Forest Service locations will provide free recreational and educational activities. Some events are designed to better engage urban and multicultural youth to take part in nature-based activities.  Opportunities include camping, rock wall climbing, kayaking, biking and archery.

"We are thrilled to host a national fee-free day on Saturday for National Get Outdoors Day," said Chief Tidwell. "We hope many visitors will be outdoors, active and having fun on national forests and grasslands and other public lands across the country."

In his remarks today, the Secretary said that funding used to fight catastrophic wildfires has taken a toll on agency staff and capacity to support recreation opportunities. Funding for wildfire management programs within the Forest Service has grown from 16 percent in 1995 to about 52 percent in the current fiscal year.  Despite that growth, suppression costs regularly exceed the appropriated amounts, requiring mid-season transfers from non-fire programs like restoration and recreation. The Secretary and Chief Tidwell noted the growth in fire costs and fire transfers impacts other programs and staff areas within the agency, including recreation, with significant declines in staff and funding for facilities, maintenance, roads, trails, youth and recreation programs.

"Our ability to continue to manage recreation assets, connect people to the outdoors, and provide safe, quality, outdoor experiences into the future depends on finding a different way to fund fire," said Vilsack.

With his visit to Wyoming, Secretary Vilsack has visited all 50 states in his official capacity since he became Agriculture Secretary in 2009.

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12 Jun 2015

USDA Invests $6.7 Million in 544 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects Nationwide

By USDA Office of Communications

Grants for renewable energy and conservation will cut energy costs, create jobs, promote energy independence

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing more than $6.7 million in 544 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide.

Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during a visit to the Snake River Brewing Company, in Jackson, Wyo. The company received a $13,810 USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to install a solar panel to generate energy for the business.

"These grants will help farmers, ranchers and small business owners use more renewable energy, which cuts carbon pollution, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, saves businesses money on their energy bills and creates American jobs," Vilsack said. "All of these are crucial components to developing healthier, more economically vibrant rural communities."

REAP was created by the 2002 Farm Bill and was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. REAP funding has helped farmers expand renewable energy use in recent years. The new Census of Agriculture shows the number of farms utilizing renewable energy production has doubled in the last five years.

Since 2009, USDA has awarded $545 million to support more than 8,800 REAP projects nationwide. This includes $361 million in grants and loans for almost 2,900 renewable energy systems. For the remaining 5,900 projects, USDA provided $184 million to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers make energy efficiency improvements such as lighting; heating, ventilation and cooling; irrigation; insulation and motor replacements. When fully operational, these projects are estimated to generate and save 7.3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually - enough to power more than 660,000 homes for a year.

Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen and geothermal.

The awards list announced today is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of the grant agreement.

President Obama's historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.

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04 Jun 2015

Webinar to Assist Potential Applicants for Conservation Funding

By USDA Office of Communications
Regional Conservation Partnership Program to make $235 Million Available to Partners

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2015 - An upcoming webinar on the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) will help potential applicants as they seek available funding. During the current round, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest up to $235 million to improve the nation's water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural production. Partners will match the Federal investment.

"This webinar is a great opportunity to directly engage with our partners," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Our goal is to leverage available Federal funding and produce more high-performing on-the-ground conservation solutions."

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will host the webinar, open to both conservation partners and the general public, on Thursday, June 4, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST. To join the webinar, visit https://usdanrcs.adobeconnect.com/r75qxphcya9/This is an external link or third-party site outside of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website.. Login to Adobe Connect using the Guest option and enter your name.

NRCS recently simplified the application process by creating new online tools: a pre-proposal fillable form, RCPP pre-application data entry tool and pre-proposal data entry tool instructions. These tools support partners as they fill out and submit their pre-proposal application.

RCPP empowers local leaders to work with multiple partners ? such as private companies, local and tribal governments, universities, non-profit groups and other non-government partners ? along with farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to design solutions that work best for their region. Local partners and the federal government both invest funding and manpower to projects to maximize their impact.

USDA is now accepting pre-proposals for RCPP. Pre-proposals are due July 8, 2015. For more information on applying, visit the RCPP website.

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22 May 2015

USDA Announces Funding Opportunity for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Projects

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program, which provides increased access to education, training and health care resources in rural areas.

"This program provides people who live and work in rural areas with better access to a variety of educational and health care services," Vilsack said. "For example, because of the DLT program, students in rural areas can take advanced placement classes, residents can have access to specialized medical services not typically available, and many other benefits for rural communities."

USDA's Rural Utilities Service, a Rural Development agency is making $19 million available for fiscal year 2015. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program finances telecommunications equipment, computer networks and advanced technologies for use by students, teachers, medical professionals and rural residents. Minimum grant amounts are $50,000; maximum amounts are $500,000 for fiscal year 2015.

Since 2009, USDA has provided more than $182 million to expand access to learning at nearly 4,700 rural educational facilities and to improve delivery of medical care at more than 2,500 rural health facilities.

Details of the DLT funding are on Page 29602 of the May 22 Federal Register. The application deadline is July 6, 2015.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.

USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of American values. President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.

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