USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service

AMS announced $5.1 million for 11 grant projects was awarded through the 🍁Acer Access and Development Program to expand consumer awareness of the maple syrup industry and provide valuable resources to maple syrup producers. This year’s funding includes 10 Producer and Landowner Education projects and one Market Development and Promotion project to improve consumer knowledge of the maple syrup industry, increase producer understanding of land management and production techniques, and conduct research to support the sector. #MapleSyrup #PureMapleSyrup #TappingTrees #RealMapleSyrup

Today, USDA AMS announced a cooperative agreement with Wyoming under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI).         Through this agreement, USDA and Wyoming are working together to offer over $1.8M in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain.        Wyoming Department of Agriculture is taking applications through Nov. 22. https://lnkd.in/e-TS22dt

The USDA Organic label indicates that agricultural products have been produced according to the USDA organic standards, which require operations to use practices that cycle resources, conserve biodiversity, and preserve ecological balance.     USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service) develops and enforces the standards for organic crops, livestock, and agricultural products so consumers can feel confident purchasing organic goods.     Behind every organic label are the four pillars of USDA organic.     🔸 Protected by law.   🔸 Inspected by experts.   🔸 Traced from farm to store.   🔸 Shaped by public input.     https://lnkd.in/emcVWwgf    #NationalOrganicMonth #Organic  

AMS announced it is awarding over $10 million for 19 grant projects. The funding is being awarded through three grant programs. 🍁Acer Access and Development Program -- is awarding $5.1 million to fund 11 projects to support projects that expand consumer awareness of the maple syrup industry and provide valuable resources to maple syrup producers. This year’s funds are being distributed to 11 projects to improve consumer knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the maple syrup industry and its products and four projects to increase market opportunities for the domestic maple syrup industry.     👩🔬Federal State Marketing Improvement Program – is awarding $921,000 for four projects through FSMIP to explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and encourage research and innovation to improve marketing system efficiency and performance. The program supports state departments of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate state agencies.    👨🌾Micro-Grants for Food Security Program -- is awarding $4.7 million to agricultural agencies in Alaska, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and Hawaii. The program funds projects that increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations. The recipients will sub-award funding to projects that support communities with significant levels of food insecurity and import substantial quantities of food.  

The USDA announced the appointment of four members to serve on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board of Directors. Newly appointed members are: Macey A. Mueller, Halstead, Kansas Kimberly A. Baldwin, McPherson, Kansas Kevin Pshigoda, Perryton, Texas Dale L. Stoltzfus, Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, At-Large The 13-member United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board is composed of nine sorghum farmers who represent the three states with the largest sorghum production – Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma – and four at-large national representatives. https://lnkd.in/eiWywE8Q

During #HispanicHeritageMonth, we honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. We also reaffirm our dedication to advancing equity within USDA, breaking down barriers to access, and building a diverse workforce that reflects the nation we serve.

AMS announced today it is awarding over $10 million for 19 grant projects. The funding is being awarded through three grant programs. 🍁Acer Access and Development Program -- is awarding $5.1 million to fund 11 projects to support projects that expand consumer awareness of the maple syrup industry and provide valuable resources to maple syrup producers. This year’s funds are being distributed to 11 projects to improve consumer knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the maple syrup industry and its products and four projects to increase market opportunities for the domestic maple syrup industry. 👩🔬Federal State Marketing Improvement Program – is awarding $921,000 for four projects through FSMIP to explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and encourage research and innovation to improve marketing system efficiency and performance. The program supports state departments of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate state agencies. 👨🌾Micro-Grants for Food Security Program -- is awarding $4.7 million to agricultural agencies in Alaska, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and Hawaii. The program funds projects that increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations. The recipients will sub-award funding to projects that support communities with significant levels of food insecurity and import substantial quantities of food. https://lnkd.in/eRvB275v

The Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC) will host a hybrid meeting on Oct. 8, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET and Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The FVIAC will hear public comments Oct. 8. Those wishing to make oral comments must pre-register by 11:59 p.m. ET Oct. 1 and indicate interest in speaking on the form. Written comments related to the fruit and vegetable industry can also be submitted. AMS is organizing this meeting which is first-come, first-served as space is limited. Those wishing to attend, either in person or virtually, must register: https://bit.ly/4egBu7g

USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt attended the inaugural State of the Soil conference hosted by Black Soil in Lexington, Kentucky. During her remarks, Under Secretary Moffitt announced the availability of $3.32 million to aid small and mid-sized farm & food businesses through USDA’s Business Builder Grants. The USDA Appalachia Regional Food Business Center is accepting applications for this first-round of Business Builder Grant funding through November 1st. Caption: USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt poses with members of the USDA Appalachia Regional Food Business Center and Black Soil Inc during the State of the Soil conference.

Today we commemorate the somber events of September 11, 2001, and honor the lives tragically lost. We pay tribute to the passengers and crew of Flight 93, and the brave acts of firefighters, first responders, police officers, and civilians at Ground Zero. #NeverForget