Secretary Zinke Signs Order to Begin Process of Creating First Ever…

Today, following President Donald J. Trump's executive order to break America's dependence on foreign minerals, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke signed a secretarial order directing the initial steps to producing the first nationwide geological and topographical survey of the United States in modern history. The order also directs Interior bureaus to begin work on identifying immediate domestic sources for critical minerals.

Doctors and Scientists Challenge Removal of EPA Science Advisers

Today, a coalition of doctors, scientists, and professional groups are filing a lawsuit challenging EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's attempt to remove highly qualified, independent scientists from advisory committees that ensure the integrity of science at the agency. EPA advisory committees provide crucial scientific and technical information to inform EPA decisions and review the scientific accuracy of EPA findings across a wide range of agency programs.

Congressional candidate charged with fraud in Virginia

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said a grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday against Shaun Brown, who is running for the Democratic nomination in the state's 2nd Congressional District. The indictment said Brown, 58, submitted fake paperwork for a group she worked with that administered a free-lunch program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Standing Up for Coal Industry Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Former Vice President Al Gore should have used this month's "24 Hours of Reality" internet broadcast to encourage the Trump administration to withdraw all carbon-dioxide emission rules on future power stations. Then the United States could replace its old, inefficient coal-fired power plants with modern, clean, efficient coal stations, just as they are doing in Europe, India and China.

MTSU gets $148K USDA ginseng project grant

By law, grocery stores in Tennessee cannot sell wine on Sundays or holidays, including Christmas and New Year's Day. The lawsuit was filed Nov. 29 by Fairgrounds supporters, who claim plans for the stadium would get in the way of existing activities there, According to a university news release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will help MTSU support planting up to 100 acres of ginseng in Tennessee, depending on participation by growers.

The Latest: House GOP unveils $81B disaster aid measure

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. House Republicans have unveiled an $81 billion disaster aid measure that almost doubles last month's request by President Donald Trump.

OGSystems’ Awarded MOJAVE Security Support Services Contract

OGSystems , a leader in technology innovation for the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community , has been awarded the MOJAVE Functional Area 2 : Security Support Services contract by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency . "We have invested heavily in data analytics, visualization, and system integration across the personnel, counterintelligence and insider threat missions," said Garrett Pagon, OGSystems President and co-founder.

USDA: Ag Exports And Imports In The 2018 Fiscal Year Forecast To Closely Mirror 2017

USDA: AG EXPORTS AND IMPORTS IN THE 2018 FISCAL YEAR FORECAST TO CLOSELY MIRROR 2017 Dec. 18, 2017 Source: USDA news release According to the latest USDA trade forecast, the 2018 fiscal year will look similar to 2017, but with a slightly higher trade balance because of lower imports. Total agricultural exports are expected to value $140 billion dollars along with $117 billion dollars in imports.

Study Shows Emphasis On Yield Impacting Corn’s Ability To Handle Stress

STUDY SHOWS EMPHASIS ON YIELD IMPACTING CORN'S ABILITY TO HANDLE STRESS Dec. 18, 2017 Source: Iowa Corn Promotion Board news release Tis' the season many corn farmers finalize their seed decisions for the coming season. Armed with past year's weather and field conditions data and information from seed companies, university extension, and others, they weigh their options in making their seed selections.

Senate Ag Committee Chair Applauds USDA’s Withdrawal Of Organic Production Standards

SENATE AG COMMITTEE CHAIR APPLAUDS USDA'S WITHDRAWAL OF ORGANIC PRODUCTION STANDARDS Dec. 18, 2017 Source: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry news release After years of challenging the rule, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement of a proposed rule that would withdraw a controversial regulation that would have revised organic livestock and poultry production standards. "With USDA's wise decision to withdraw this rule, organic livestock and poultry producers can rest assured that they will not be forced out of business by another costly and burdensome regulation," said Roberts.

Nat’l Pork Producers Council Comments On USDA’s Organic Production Rules Withdrawal

NAT'L PORK PRODUCERS COUNCIL COMMENTS ON USDA'S ORGANIC PRODUCTION RULES WITHDRAWAL Dec. 18, 2017 National Pork Producers Council reports: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue last week announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will withdraw a proposed organic rule for livestock and poultry. The Obama-era regulation - the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule - would have incorporated into the National Organic Program welfare standards that were not based on science and that were outside the scope of the Organic Food Production Act of 1990.

USDA Announces New Information Technology Operating Model

USDA ANNOUNCES NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OPERATING MODEL Dec. 18, 2017 Source: USDA news release U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steve Censky announced today the U.S. Department of Agriculture will revamp its Information Technology operating model to increase efficiency in serving its customers. "When I was sworn in, Secretary Perdue charged me to help him make USDA the most effective, most efficient, most customer-focused department in the entire federal government," Deputy Secretary Censky said.