California Dairy Research Foundation Awarded $85 Million from USDA for Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Project

September 21, 2022 California Milk Advisory Board

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $2.8 billion in projects selected under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity. Applicants submitted more than 450 project proposals; 70 were selected for funding.

USDA Announces $21.9 Million in Grants Awarded to Further Strengthen Meat and Poultry Supply Chains; Build New and Better Markets through Investments and Technical Assistance

September 6, 2022 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced an additional $21.9 million of funding is being awarded to 111 grant projects through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant Program (MPIRG), bringing total funding to $54.6 million. This year’s awards will fund projects in 37 states. The funding will help strengthen and develop new market opportunities for meat and poultry processors throughout the United States.

Promising Results in USDA Disinfestation Trials Using RipeLockers to Control Spotted-Wing Drosophila

September 6, 2022 RipeLocker

RipeLocker broadens the use of its innovative system for senescence control and decay suppressant of perishables, to eliminate invasive fruit flies without the application of postharvest fumigants such as methyl bromide or required cold treatments at the port of loading.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed Near New Jersey Border

 The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) have confirmed a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) case in a non-commercial backyard poultry flock in Northampton County in Pennsylvania, near its eastern border that will affect Warren County in New Jersey due to the control area radius. The disease response is being coordinated between the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), the PDA, and federal partners.

USDA Invests Nearly $8M to Improve Dietary Health and Nutrition Security

GusNIP Produce Prescription projects provide financial and non-financial incentives to income-eligible individuals and families to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to improve dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.