During summer, many of us eagerly look forward to outdoor activities, picnics, and barbecues. However, not everyone has access to fresh, high-quality food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) manages several programs that focus on this critical area. 

Nearly 30 million children participate in USDA’s school breakfast and lunch programs, allowing them access to healthy meals for free or at a reduced price. When school breaks for summer, many of these children lose access to these healthy meals. The Summer Food Service Program, administered by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, ensures that children who rely on school meals during the academic year continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer months.  

Additionally, farmers markets play a crucial role in combating food deserts by providing fresh and locally sourced food in communities across the nation, including underserved communities. The Farmers Market Promotion Program, managed by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, offers grants to farmers markets and local food enterprises to support the development, expansion and promotion of these markets.  

Because underserved communities face greater challenges around food and nutrition security, they may rely upon emergency food assistance organizations. In the United States, over one-third of all available food goes uneaten through loss or waste. USDA is part of a national strategy for reducing food waste that includes increasing the donation of wholesome foods through food recovery nonprofits. You can learn more about USDA’s waste reduction efforts here. 

USDA helps ensure food accessibility and safety so everyone can enjoy safe and healthy meals throughout the summer. Please join us in creating awareness of these USDA programs throughout your communities. Together, we can ensure that everyone has access to safe, healthy food.  

USDA Welcomes 2024 Class of E. Kika De La Garza Fellows

Yesterday USDA welcomed 32 faculty and staff from Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Hispanic-Serving School Districts around the nation to the 2024 class of E. Kika De La Garza (EKDLG) Fellows.

The EKDLG Fellows came to Washington, D.C. to learn how USDA services and programs can benefit them, their students, and their communities. This effort is part of USDA’s commitment to advance equity in professional development opportunities and build a more diverse pipeline into public service and the agricultural sector. “This year’s class of fellows is the largest so far and a testament of the program’s success,” said Dr. Lisa R. Ramírez, director of USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

EKDLG Fellow Maureen Victoria

Now an assistant professor at Sam Houston State University, Maureen Victoria grew up fixing things with her dad on their ranch and spent summers working with cattle. Last year she became an E. Kika De La Garza fellow and had the opportunity to network with her peers and USDA staff, learning about USDA programs and employment opportunities for students. “I have more tools in my toolbox to help students,” she said. “There are plenty of jobs for all types of people.”

1890 Scholar Jordan McMahon

Four years ago, Jordan McMahon wasn’t sure if he would go to college. Today, he is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1890 National Scholar and published researcher. He recently graduated from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio and will be pursuing a master’s degree, eventual Ph.D., and a career in agriculture.

“The 1890 Scholars program carried my whole college experience and provided me with opportunities I would have never encountered otherwise,” he said.

1890 Scholar Applies Interest in Genetics to Help Farmers

Bryan Hallman has been a 1890 National Scholar for two years and is currently doing an internship as a soil conservationist with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He visits farmers’ properties when they have concerns, assesses the farm, and identifies potential solutions to resolve issues. He helps farmers improve their farms by implementing strategies to increase their profits.

“My favorite part has been seeing how farmers operate, what problems they have, and how we can practically solve them,” he said. “I’m from the country, so that is something I love to do.”

USDA Liaison Supports Partnerships to Engage Underserved Communities

USDA Liaison Horace Hodge recently shared information about USDA programs and NextGen efforts for young people at a reception in Arlington, Virginia. He also congratulated the 10K Minority Appraisers Foundation on the certification of its Appraisers Apprenticeship Program by the Department of Labor. The Foundation is dedicated to growing the success of appraisers, including individuals from underrepresented communities. Hodge said, “This team is creating a diverse workforce to mitigate the loss of wealth through accurate valuations.” The Foundation proposes to partner with 1890 Universities to foster internships for college students. More than 100 people attended the event.

USDA Welcomes Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership

Last week, USDA hosted the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) Washington Leadership Program Session on Food Security, Agriculture, and the Environment. OPPE Deputy Director Kenya Nicholas provided remarks, and Deputy Under Secretary Sanah Baig (standing in pink dress) engaged with CAPAL interns and Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) young professionals interested in public service. This was the second of a six-session series and the only session hosted at a federal agency.

2501 Grant Helps Spread Regenerative Agriculture Knowledge throughout Taos County

The Taos County Economic Development Corporation supports the food, land, water and cultures of the people of Northern New Mexico by practicing regenerative agriculture and spreading knowledge of sustainable farming. To help fund these efforts, the organization applied for and secured USDA 2501 Program grant funds. Earlier this year, the organization hosted a large collaborative training on soil health practices. Attendees received educational information in the classroom as well as hands-on activities out in the field to practice working these techniques.

USDA Military Veteran Agricultural Liaison Shares Information on Agriculture Careers

Last month USDA Military Veteran Agricultural Liaison Monshi “Ram” Ramdass (right) shared information about careers in agriculture with veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses and students at the Fort Cavazos Military Veterans Mega Career Fair in Texas. He also met with staff from Fort Cavazos to plan a “Boots to Business Agriculture Training Seminar” focused on beginning farming and ranching next year. Learn more at https://usda.gov/veterans  

USDA Interns Learn What It Takes to Work at USDA

Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Executive Assistant Willette Squire (center with microphone) described her position and her career path as part of a recent panel discussion for USDA Interns. This recent Student Intern and Early Career Talent Welcome Event at USDA headquarters took place in Washington, D.C. The welcome event served as a crucial platform to integrate interns and early career talent into USDA, set a positive tone for their experience, and equip them with the knowledge and resources needed for a successful and fulfilling internship and work experience. Various USDA staff shared the knowledge and resources needed for successful and fulfilling internship and work experience throughout the event, including Secretary Vilsack.

Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers to Meet 

The Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF) will meet July 23-25 in Tarrytown, New York to consider USDA programs and policies and their impacts on minority farmers. This will be the first time this committee will meet in the Northeast. The ACMF will then recommend action-oriented strategies to maximize the participation of minority farmers in USDA programs and services. Members will visit a mushroom farm in Westchester, an urban farm in the Bronx, a minority-run produce farm in Goshen, and a large organic farming complex in Chester, New York.

Meet Rodney Stone

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Rodney Stone attended Tuskegee University, earning his BS in economics in 1982.  He earned his MS in public administration in 1990 from Bernard Baruch College City University of New York, where he was also recognized as a national urban rural fellow. He has worked most of his 30+ years in USDA with the USDA Forest Service in multiple units, including Job Corps, Civil Rights, State and Private Forestry, as well as managing multiple National Forest System areas.

Stone currently works in the USDA OPPE as a USDA liaison at Tuskegee University. In this role he connects students with USDA internships and experiential learning opportunities and coordinates with the university’s extension services to introduce farmers with limited resource farmers to USDA programs and resources. He also supports the USDA At-Risk Afterschool Meals program, which serving approximately 15,000 plus meals per semester.  

He is committed to helping build the next generation of agricultural scientists and stewards of the land. “I believe that the USDA liaison cadre are the caretakers of the USDA vineyard,” he said. “What a noble honor to produce the grapes that turns into pure wine for USDA. It is truly a blessing to be charged with this responsibility.” He appreciates all the support he receives from his colleagues in growing the next generation agricultural professionals.

CORRECTION:

Last month’s Employee Highlight incorrectly named Dr. Tiffany Franklin as the USDA liaison for Alcorn State University in Mississippi. She is the liaison for Southern University in Louisiana.

In 1928, USDA established the Southern States Bee Culture Field Laboratory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The laboratory, now known as the Honeybee Lab, was founded to establish standards and breeding programs for honeybees. Today, scientists and staff there are working to address pollinator decline – the loss of honeybee colonies due to environmental toxins and climate change. Honeybees play a vital pollination role in growing many of the foods we enjoy and depend upon, including oranges, almonds, blueberries and cherries. A valuable by-product of their hard work is the sweet honey we love. But honeybees, like many other species, are at serious risk from environmental degradation. USDA continues to research and with the American public to protect and preserve our natural resources for ourselves and future generations.