USDA Food and Nutrition News

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the selection of 12 projects in Iowa, Kansas and Oregon to receive over $9 million in loan guarantees and grants to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Eight Iowa recipients will receive more than $6 million.

The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior today announced final test results, which confirm that a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus was found in samples collected last month from wild Green-winged Teals in Illinois. LPAI has been detected several times in wild birds in North America and poses no risk to human health.

The U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture (DOE and USDA) today announced $4 million for bio-based fuels research that will accelerate the development of alternative fuels.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced a new collaboration with states and private industry to protect the nation's food supply from terrorist threats.

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today designated 31 counties in Mississippi as primary agricultural disaster areas, making certain farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers in the counties eligible for low-interest emergency loans from USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA).