Author Archive
Oversight
A Fight is Growing Over Food Labels
The battles over country-of-origin and GMO labels have intensified in Congress this summer.
Management
How Obama's EPA Is Making Life Difficult for Clinton
The agency's push and pull on ethanol policy has created a hurdle for the Democratic frontrunner.
Management
USDA Chief Unveils Campaign to Combat Childhood Hunger
Tom Vilsack details new grant programs to feed the poorest children and improve school performance.
Management
EPA Chief Won't Ditch the Waters Rule, But She Is Digging for Answers
Gina McCarthy is reaching out to critics in the farm community and pledging to respond to their concerns.
Oversight
USDA unveils details of shutdown plan
Most employees would be furloughed, but meat, poultry and egg inspection services would continue.
Oversight
USDA Native American case moves closer to resolution
The class action suit claims the Agriculture Department discriminated against Native Americans who applied for farm loans.
Oversight
Food safety undersecretary sets priorities
Elisabeth Hagen showed little interest in the creation of a single food safety agency during hearing.
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Oversight
OMB's handling of USDA funding has lawmaker fuming
Agriculture panel chairman seeks an investigation into shifts in money for mandatory programs.
Oversight
USDA chief gets heat for Sherrod firing
Vilsack is under fire from the Congressional Black Caucus, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and the Rural Coalition, among others.
Oversight
Agriculture chief fosters better relationship between EPA and farmers
Regular meetings planned nationwide to improve communication between environmental officials and crop producers.
Oversight
Black-farmers group cheers deal in war bill
Supplemental includes money to pay for the settlement of a black farmers' anti-discrimination case against USDA.
Oversight
Emergency appropriation for black farmers is unlikely
House leadership, administration would prefer to provide money for Pigford case settlement through regular appropriations.
Oversight
Agriculture Department's soybean investigation nearing end
Two-year investigation into possible misspending in the soybean research program nears conclusion.
News
Push is on to find $1.15B for black farmers' settlement
If Congress does not appropriate the money by March 31, then any of the participants could back out of the deal.
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Defense
Agriculture chief says black farmer discrimination settlement needs $1.15B
Obama administration wants Congress to provide the money by March 31, says Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Oversight
Vilsack names more key deputies
USDA secretary's new appointees do not require Senate confirmation.
Oversight
Empty Agriculture offices, including food safety, raise concerns
Five key leadership positions remain vacant despite several outbreaks of food-borne illness in 2009.
Oversight
USDA chief plans for Afghanistan trip
Agriculture development is the Obama administration's top nonmilitary priority in Afghanistan.
Oversight
Head of Foreign Agricultural Service reassigned
Michael Michener had come under fire for focusing on Afghanistan projects at the expense of the agency’s traditional roles.
Oversight