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<li><a href="/media/blog/2021/01">January 2021</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-promoblockarchive" class="usda-block"> <h2>Archive</h2> <div><p><a href="/media/blog/archive">Blog Archives</a></p></div> </div> </div> </aside> <div class="usa-width-three-fourths usa-layout-docs-main_content"> <div id="block-usda-page-title" class="usda-block usda-page-title-block"> <h1 class="usda-page-title">March 2024 </h1> </div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <div id="block-usda-content" class="usda-block"> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-27c222fa5fff119099284cee452e272ad6d90dfce8b49e61bf8dc738ea061832"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/29/national-womens-history-month-celebrating-fns-unsung-heroines" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/fns-natl-women-history-month-blog-032924.png?itok=WZ2qHmgk" width="568" height="400" alt="USDA Food and Nutrition Service employees" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/29/national-womens-history-month-celebrating-fns-unsung-heroines" rel="bookmark"><span>National Women’s History Month: Celebrating FNS’ Unsung Heroines</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>Food and Nutrition Service employees dedicate their professional lives to ensuring everyone in America has access to delicious, nutritious food and science-based nutrition education. As we conclude Women’s History Month, we celebrate women working to keep our 16 nutrition assistance programs running smoothly for those who need them most.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Justice Wright, Senior Technical Advisor, FNS Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/equity">Equity</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/food-and-nutrition">Food and Nutrition</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/health-and-safety">Health and Safety</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/nutrition-security">Nutrition Security</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 29, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/29/national-womens-history-month-celebrating-fns-unsung-heroines#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story National Women’s History Month: Celebrating FNS’ Unsung Heroines"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/28/echandole-ganas-giving-it-my-all-honor-legacy-and-elevate-voices" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/equity-giving-it-my-all-blog-032824.jpg?itok=sGfczvWf" width="568" height="400" alt="Cecilia Hernandez and the Equity Commission meeting" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/28/echandole-ganas-giving-it-my-all-honor-legacy-and-elevate-voices" rel="bookmark"><span>Echándole Ganas: Giving it My All to Honor Legacy and Elevate Voices</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>With the end of Women’s History Month coinciding with César Chávez Day, I’ve been reflecting on my personal and professional experience and the journey that has taken me to my current role as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Designated Federal Officer (DFO) of the <a href="/equity-commission">Equity Commission</a>. It is also extremely fitting that this year’s Women’s History Month theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” Being a Mexican American woman, I’m incredibly proud – and honored – to support the 41 Commission members as they’ve developed recommendations that will impact not only the communities I come from but all communities that are representative of the diverse America we know today. As a career federal employee, I also have the tremendous opportunity and responsibility to ensure that the recommendations receive attention and commitment from USDA to make lasting change.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">DFO Cecilia Hernandez Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/equity">Equity</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/initiatives">Initiatives</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 28, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/28/echandole-ganas-giving-it-my-all-honor-legacy-and-elevate-voices#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story Echándole Ganas: Giving it My All to Honor Legacy and Elevate Voices"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/28/farmworkers-are-vital-resilient-food-system" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/oppe-farmworkers-vital-resilient-food-system-blog-032824.jpg?itok=640cQ0rP" width="568" height="400" alt="Farmworkers" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/28/farmworkers-are-vital-resilient-food-system" rel="bookmark"><span>Farmworkers are Vital to a Resilient Food System</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>Farmworkers make up less than one percent of all U.S. wage and salary workers, but they are vital to the country’s agriculture. They labor every day in fruit orchards and dairy farms, in blazing heat and freezing cold, to ensure that families have food on their tables.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">MD Sharman, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/equity">Equity</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/initiatives">Initiatives</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 28, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/28/farmworkers-are-vital-resilient-food-system#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story Farmworkers are Vital to a Resilient Food System"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/27/celebrating-second-anniversary-usda-food-and-nutrition-security-initiative" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/fns-celebrating-second-anniversary-fns-initiative-blog-032724.png?itok=frjQZpfL" width="568" height="400" alt="Dr. Caree Cotwright, FNS Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity, collecting fresh produce from a farm" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/27/celebrating-second-anniversary-usda-food-and-nutrition-security-initiative" rel="bookmark"><span>Celebrating the Second Anniversary of the USDA Food and Nutrition Security Initiative</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>USDA is proud to celebrate <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0062.22">the second anniversary</a> of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s vision to advance food and nutrition security.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Caree Jackson Cotwright, PhD, RDN, Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/food-and-nutrition">Food and Nutrition</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/nutrition-security">Nutrition Security</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/equity">Equity</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 27, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/27/celebrating-second-anniversary-usda-food-and-nutrition-security-initiative#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story Celebrating the Second Anniversary of the USDA Food and Nutrition Security Initiative"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/27/usda-scientist-receives-award-groundbreaking-work-reconnect-crop-and-animal" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/ars-scientist-award-work-crop-animal-systems-blog-032724.png?itok=wPJcz35D" width="568" height="400" alt="Sheri Spiegal in the field" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/27/usda-scientist-receives-award-groundbreaking-work-reconnect-crop-and-animal" rel="bookmark"><span>USDA Scientist Receives Award for Groundbreaking Work to Reconnect Crop and Animal Systems</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist Sheri Spiegal received an exciting award recognizing her pioneering work integrating social science and biophysical science with stakeholder engagement to help animal producers and crop farmers improve the redistribution of manure nutrients from farms with an excess to fields and pastures that can use it sustainably.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Maribel Alonso, Public Affairs Specialist, ARS Office of Communications Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/research-and-science">Research and Science</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 27, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/27/usda-scientist-receives-award-groundbreaking-work-reconnect-crop-and-animal#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story USDA Scientist Receives Award for Groundbreaking Work to Reconnect Crop and Animal Systems"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/26/drive-and-ambition-fuels-usda-1890-scholar" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/oppe-drive-ambition-fuels-1890-scholar-blog-032624.jpg?itok=HToe1QP1" width="568" height="400" alt="Kaitlyn Hampton" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/26/drive-and-ambition-fuels-usda-1890-scholar" rel="bookmark"><span>Drive and Ambition Fuels this USDA 1890 Scholar</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>Kaitlyn Hampton is ambitious and goal oriented. As she embarked on her journey as a <a href="/partnerships/1890NationalScholars">U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1890 National Scholar</a>, she simultaneously assumed other responsibilities, such as pursuing her master’s degree. The 1890 Scholars Program complemented her goals, allowing her to pursue her passions through internships and job placements that provided experience.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">MD Sharman, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/equity">Equity</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/initiatives">Initiatives</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 26, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/26/drive-and-ambition-fuels-usda-1890-scholar#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story Drive and Ambition Fuels this USDA 1890 Scholar"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/25/nifa-investment-paves-way-veterinary-students" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/nifa-investment-paves-way-vet-students-blog-032524.jpg?itok=nkLErEvI" width="568" height="400" alt="Female veterinarian feeding chickens" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/25/nifa-investment-paves-way-veterinary-students" rel="bookmark"><span>NIFA Investment Paves the Way for Veterinary Students</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>Since 2010, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s <a href="https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-medicine-loan-repayment-program/history-vmlrp">Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP)</a> has served the needs of food animal veterinarians and stakeholders in animal agriculture across the nation by supporting veterinary educational debt repayment in return for veterinarians’ services in designated, high priority, shortage situations. In this time, the VMLRP has awarded nearly 800 food animal veterinarians with loan repayment assistance.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Lori Gula, Senior Public Affairs Specialist Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/research-and-science">Research and Science</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 25, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/25/nifa-investment-paves-way-veterinary-students#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story NIFA Investment Paves the Way for Veterinary Students"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/22/turnip-beet-summer-meals" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/fns-turnip-beet-summer-meals-blog-032224.jpg?itok=gG9VVU9z" width="568" height="400" alt="Hall County School Nutrition (Georgia), 2022 Turnip the Beet silver award winner" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/22/turnip-beet-summer-meals" rel="bookmark"><span>Turnip the Beet on Summer Meals</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>It’s award season! USDA is excited to highlight summer meal sponsors who go above and beyond to ensure children receive nutritious, appetizing meals.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Tanuja Kulkarni, MS MPH RDN, Nutritionist, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Child Nutrition Programs Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/food-and-nutrition">Food and Nutrition</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/nutrition-security">Nutrition Security</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/equity">Equity</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 22, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/22/turnip-beet-summer-meals#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story Turnip the Beet on Summer Meals"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/21/2501-program-recipient-helps-heirs-connect-important-resources" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/oppe-2501-program-recipient-heirs-connect-resources-blog-032124.jpg?itok=tDIdaMkS" width="568" height="400" alt="A group of people talking in front of a forest" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/21/2501-program-recipient-helps-heirs-connect-important-resources" rel="bookmark"><span>2501 Program Recipient Helps Heirs Connect with Important Resources</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>In 2020, <a href="https://www.heirsproperty.org/">The Center for Heirs Property Preservation</a> (CHPP) in Charleston, South Carolina was awarded a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) <a href="/partnerships/underserved-veteran-farmers-ranchers-foresters">2501 grant</a> to support its mission of helping families keep their property and put it to work for them. The 1990 Farm Bill created the 2501 Program to support the efforts of organizations like CHPP to provide training and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters who seek to own and operate successful farms, ranches and forest lands.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Carrie Knight, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/equity">Equity</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/initiatives">Initiatives</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 21, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/21/2501-program-recipient-helps-heirs-connect-important-resources#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story 2501 Program Recipient Helps Heirs Connect with Important Resources"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/21/usda-scientists-collaborate-protect-endangered-species-extinction" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/aphis-scientists-collaborate-protect-endangered-species-blog-032124.jpg?itok=4VA6ZKqj" width="568" height="400" alt="California Condor" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/21/usda-scientists-collaborate-protect-endangered-species-extinction" rel="bookmark"><span>USDA Scientists Collaborate to Protect Endangered Species for Extinction</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>As the majestic California Condor soars high in the western skies, the largest bird in North America inspires those who knows its near-tragic history. On the verge of extinction in the 1980s, this resilient avian managed to survive. However, it recently faced a new threat to its existence – highly pathogenic avian influenza. The USDA recently took steps to save this beautiful creature, ensuring Americans will have the opportunity to witness the glory of the California Condor, hopefully inspiring future generations to recognize their unlimited potential to overcome adversity.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">APHIS Public Affairs Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/animals">Animals</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 21, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/21/usda-scientists-collaborate-protect-endangered-species-extinction#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story USDA Scientists Collaborate to Protect Endangered Species for Extinction"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <nav class="pager" aria-labelledby="pagination-heading"> <h4 id="pagination-heading" class="visually-hidden">Pagination</h4> <ul class="pager__items js-pager__items"> <li 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