WASHINGTON, May 25, 2012—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Chief Economist Joseph W. Glauber announced today that USDA is reviewing release times for several major statistical reports due to recent changes in market hours by major commodity exchanges.

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2012–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will accept 3.9 million acres offered under the 43rd Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up. During the extended five-week signup, the Department received nearly 48,000 offers on more than 4.5 million acres of land, demonstrating the CRP’s continuing leadership as one of our nation’s most successful voluntary efforts to conserve land and improve our soil, water, air and wildlife habitat resources. Under Vilsack’s leadership, USDA has now enrolled nearly 12 million acres in the CRP since 2009. Currently, there are more than 29.6 million acres enrolled on more than 736,000 contracts.

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012--Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of members to the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching, a committee created to advise him on ways to eliminate barriers to participation for Native American farmers and ranchers. The Council is being appointed as part of the Keepseagle settlement.

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2012–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will accept 3.9 million acres offered under the 43rd Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up. During the extended five-week signup, the Department received nearly 48,000 offers on more than 4.5 million acres of land, demonstrating the CRP’s continuing leadership as one of our nation’s most successful voluntary efforts to conserve land and improve our soil, water, air and wildlife habitat resources. Under Vilsack’s leadership, USDA has now enrolled nearly 12 million acres in the CRP since 2009. Currently, there are more than 29.6 million acres enrolled on more than 736,000 contracts.

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2012—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Chief Economist Joseph W. Glauber announced today that USDA is reviewing release times for several major statistical reports due to recent changes in market hours by major commodity exchanges.

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will support 321 projects in all 50 states, plus American Samoa and Guam, that help to prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests and diseases threatening U.S. agriculture and the environment. The funding, totaling $50 million, is provided by Section 10201 of the 2008 Farm Bill.