Welcome to our podcast on the latest news from the Department of Agriculture. This week, we're focusing on a significant announcement that will have a profound impact on American farmers and the agricultural sector.

On November 19, 2024, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of new programs to help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers and access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events. The USDA is investing more than $2 billion in the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative and $140 million in the Commodity Storage Assistance Program. These programs are designed to assist specialty crop growers in maintaining a strong domestic supply and expanding market opportunities for their crops, particularly in the Southeast after the devastating hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.

Secretary Vilsack emphasized the critical role specialty crop producers play in the success of U.S. agriculture, stating, "From providing high-quality, nutritious, American-grown fruits, vegetables, and nuts to our nation and the world, to serving as economic pillars of their communities, specialty crop producers play a critical role in the success of U.S. agriculture."

These investments build on USDA’s wide array of disaster assistance, farm loan, and conservation programs to help agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters. The programs can help producers recover in various ways, including land and private forest rehabilitation, fence loss, debris removal, animal mortality disposal, and other challenges.

In addition to these initiatives, the USDA has been making significant strides in other areas. For instance, the Biden-Harris Administration's Inflation Reduction Act has topped $1 billion in clean energy investments to nearly 7,000 American farms and rural small businesses. This includes more than $256 million in loans and grants to support over 1,100 clean energy projects in 40 states, helping rural communities lead the country toward an economy that benefits working people everywhere with lower costs and clean energy jobs.

Furthermore, the USDA has announced new investments in Tribal students and higher education, committing $5 million in grants to support Tribal students at land-grant colleges and universities through the New Beginning for Tribal Students Program. This reflects USDA’s commitment to advance equity and remove barriers to service for Tribal Nations and encourage Tribal workforce development.

Looking ahead, applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops and Commodity Storage Assistance programs are expected to be available in December 2024. Producers can contact their local USDA Service Center for more information and to prepare for these opportunities.

To stay updated on these developments and learn more about USDA programs, visit www.usda.gov. If you're interested in providing feedback or engaging with these initiatives, reach out to your local USDA office or follow USDA on social media.

Thank you for tuning in to our podcast. We'll keep you informed on the latest news from the Department of Agriculture and its impact on American citizens, businesses, and communities.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI