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 USDA Announces Nation's Sixth Regional Biofuels System, Meant to Spur Innovation and Job Creation in the Northeast
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 16, 2012–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded Pennsylvania State University a five-year research grant valued at roughly $10 million to develop biomass supply chains for the production of liquid transportation and aviation biofuels in the Northeast.
 Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Improve Electric Service in Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding to modernize and improve the efficiency of rural electric generation and transmission systems. The announcement was made on the Secretary’s behalf by Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager.
 US Forest Service awards $3M in grants to protect Great Lakes
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2012 – The U.S. Forest Service announced today nearly $3 million in grants to improve tree canopy, forest cover and ultimately, water quality in six Great Lakes states, including Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Illinois and Indiana.
 USDA Hosts Symposium for Military Veterans on Access to Agricultural Credit
KEARNEYSVILLE, W.Va., Oct. 10, 2012—Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Karis Gutter led a symposium today that offers U.S. military veterans information on agricultural credit as part of USDA’s continuing efforts to expand opportunities for military families. Gutter, a U.S. Marine Corps reservist, along with the Jefferson County Development Authority of West Virginia and the Farmer Veteran Coalition, shared resources on USDA programs, grants, loans and small business contracts with service members who want to start their own rural business, farm or ranch.
 Secretary Vilsack to Participate in the Kickoff of Four Regional Workshops on Drought Response
OMAHA, Neb., Oct 9, 2012—Speaking at the opening session of the first of four regional workshops to outline resources available to assist with drought recovery efforts, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the lack of a new five-year Food, Farm and Jobs Bill has the potential to delay and stifle the federal response.
 Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Fulfills Commitment to Designate 1 Million Additional Conservation Acres to Support Wildlife Habitat Restoration
LEWIS, Iowa, Oct. 8, 2012—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today underscored the Obama Administration’s commitment to partnerships in conservation by announcing the allocation of 400,000 acres to support conservation and restoration of wildlife and their habitats as part of the Conservation Reserve Program, or CRP. Under Vilsack’s leadership, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has enrolled more than 12 million acres in CRP, a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them use marginal and environmentally sensitive land to bring conservation and economic benefits for their land and communities. Today’s announcement of 400,000 state acres for wildlife enhancement (SAFE acres), fulfills Vilsack’s commitment made last spring to commit 1 million acres for special initiatives to restore grasslands, wetlands and wildlife habitat.
 Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Improve Electric Service in Rural Communities
ATLANTA, Ga., Oct. 4, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding to modernize and improve the efficiency of rural electric generation and transmission systems. Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager made the announcement on Vilsack's behalf during a speech before members of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Today’s announcement includes a $30 million loan guarantee to Jefferson Energy Cooperative, which serves parts of 11 Georgia counties.
 Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Investments in Specialty Crops to Help Strengthen New Markets, Provide Additional Economic Opportunity for Farmers and Ranchers
MADISON, Wis., Oct. 1, 2012–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $101 million in grants to support America's specialty crops producers, who provide the fruits, vegetables, nuts and other nutritious foods for millions of healthy American meals each day.
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