Randy Krotz Randy Krotz
shared this article 2 weeks ago
Topics: USDA, Government / Policies, US EPA,

Here’s a summary of the USDA’s June 30, 2025, press release on Secretary Brooke Rollins’ rollback of environmental regulations: 🌲 Key Changes to NEPA Regulations 1. Overhaul of NEPA Review Process: USDA is issuing a unified department-wide regulation by rescinding seven agency-specific NEPA rules—cutting regulatory volume by around 66% tucsonsentinel.com The goal: streamline environmental review, reduce delays, and better support rural infrastructure, energy, forest, and agricultural projects. 2. White House Deregulation Context: This action follows President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy executive order and CEQ’s rollback of its own NEPA rules—clearing the way for USDA to reform its regime usda.gov . 3. Interim Final Rule Published: A pre-publication of the interim rule was released on June 30, 2025, with the official Federal Register version expected soon usda.gov . 📣 Why This Matters Faster approvals: A simplified NEPA framework may help reduce litigation and project delays, offering quicker implementation of beneficial projects. Economic boost: USDA frames this as a jobs and cost-savings measure for rural communities and the ag sector. Environmental stewardship: USDA says the changes still "honor the Department’s legacy of land stewardship," while this will shift oversight to a broader, more consistent standard usda.gov +1 usda.gov +1 . 🧭 Wider Rollback Pattern This doesn't stand alone. Earlier this year, Secretary Rollins: Rescinded the 2001 “Roadless Rule” (June 23) to permit road construction, timber management, and fire-resilience activities in National Forest lands (~58 million acres) electric.coop +6 usda.gov +6 usda.gov +6 . In April, issued a Forest Service memo enabling expedited actions on millions of acres to reduce wildfire risk, increase timber output, and limit NEPA barriers usda.gov . Taken together, these moves signal a consistent deregulatory push focused on timber, forest protection, infrastructure, and rural economic growth under Rollins' leadership.

https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/pre...

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John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
shared this article 6 months ago
Topics: Corn/Maize, Ag Podcast US,
TOPIC(S): Food/Nutrition, USDA,

07/15/2024 SOURCE: www.usda.gov

USDA Makes Record-Breaking $14.3 Million Investment in Farm to School Grants

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding a record-breaking $14.3 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants to 154 projects in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. These investments will help 1.9 million children eat more tasty, nutritious foods in school, while supporting farmers and producers in their local and regional communities.

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TOPIC(S): Agriculture US, Conservation/Tillage, Climate Change,

04/03/2024 SOURCE: www.usda.gov

USDA Makes $1.5 Billion Available to Help Farmers Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture as Part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda

MANKATO, Minn., April 3, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of an historic $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2024 to invest in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The U.S.

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Randy Krotz Randy Krotz
shared this article 1 year ago
Topics: Agriculture US, USDA, Renewable Energy (Solar/Wind),

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $207 Million in Clean Energy and Domestic Fertilizer Projects to Strengthen American Farms and Businesses as part of Investing in America Agenda

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

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TOPIC(S): Carbon Farming,
TOPIC(S): Forestry, USDA, Carbon Farming,
TOPIC(S): USDA, Carbon Farming,
TOPIC(S): Climate Change, Carbon Farming,
TOPIC(S): USDA, Ag Tech,

08/21/2023 SOURCE: www.usda.gov

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $700 Million to Connect People in Remote and Rural Areas to High-Speed Internet

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $700 million in grants and loans to connect thousands of rural residents, farmers and business owners in 22 states and the Marshall Islands to reliable, affordable high-speed internet through the ReConnect Program, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This program is uniquely designed to fund the most difficult high-speed internet projects in the nation, which are the most rural, remote and unserved communities.

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