/tags/u-s-department-of-agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture en-US Copyright Mon, 17 Mar 2025 22:50:03 GMT /local-news/2025-03-17/farmers-food-banks-decry-program-loss The executive director of Northern New Mexico’s food bank, The Food Depot, says the recent U.S. Department of Agriculture’s elimination of a program that connected food banks to local food producers is “devastating.” Mon, 17 Mar 2025 22:50:03 GMT /local-news/2025-03-17/farmers-food-banks-decry-program-loss Julia Goldberg /local-news/2025-02-20/new-mexican-farmers-worry-as-some-usda-payments-are-frozen The White House said that efficiencies will benefit everyone, including farmers. But in New Mexico, some worry that contracts with the federal government won't be honored. Thu, 20 Feb 2025 22:34:19 GMT /local-news/2025-02-20/new-mexican-farmers-worry-as-some-usda-payments-are-frozen Alice Fordham /local-news/2024-12-06/15-million-federal-investment-acequias The USDA is giving an influx of cash to acequias in New Mexico and Colorado Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:59:27 GMT /local-news/2024-12-06/15-million-federal-investment-acequias Alice Fordham /local-news/2024-04-03/new-usda-school-nutrition-standards-aims-to-prevent-diet-related-diseases For many of New Mexico’s students, school meals are crucial, with more than 80% of them receiving half their daily calories from school breakfasts and lunches. Now, new nutrition standards from he U.S. Department of Agriculture aim to make these meals healthier and prevent diet-related diseases which are on the rise. Wed, 03 Apr 2024 21:22:10 GMT /local-news/2024-04-03/new-usda-school-nutrition-standards-aims-to-prevent-diet-related-diseases Taylor Velazquez /local-news/2024-02-08/new-mexico-might-get-its-meat-inspection-program-back New Mexico hasn’t had a state meat inspection program since 2007, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture took it over due to “repetitive noncompliance with federal standards,” according to a 2021 legislative report. Proposals to bring it back have failed to clear both chambers of the Legislature four years in a row, but this year’s bill still has a chance of reaching the governor’s desk. Fri, 09 Feb 2024 01:57:52 GMT /local-news/2024-02-08/new-mexico-might-get-its-meat-inspection-program-back Nash Jones /local-news/2024-01-03/usda-proposes-overhaul-of-old-forest-management-plans Old growth forests are a natural and crucial resource for mitigating the ongoing effects of climate change because they provide clean drinking water and absorb carbon from our atmosphere. Wed, 03 Jan 2024 20:37:36 GMT /local-news/2024-01-03/usda-proposes-overhaul-of-old-forest-management-plans Bryce Dix /news/2023-10-11/colonias-organize-to-fund-major-water-projects 16 communities in Southern New Mexico improved their water by creating one common utility. Now, they’re serving as a model for others in the state. Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:39:10 GMT /news/2023-10-11/colonias-organize-to-fund-major-water-projects Megan Myscofski /local-news/2023-10-05/nm-agriculture-experts-highlight-benefits-of-future-farm-bill-despite-congress-stalling Congress avoided a government shutdown last week with a stopgap funding measure. However, the all-important farm bill, which is passed every five years, expired on September 30. Despite the chaos in Washington, state agriculture experts highlighted benefits the new farm bill will eventually bring during a legislative committee this week. Thu, 05 Oct 2023 22:57:52 GMT /local-news/2023-10-05/nm-agriculture-experts-highlight-benefits-of-future-farm-bill-despite-congress-stalling Jeanette DeDios /local-news/2023-09-28/wildland-firefighters-fear-being-left-behind-as-government-shutdown-looms Come Sunday, if there’s no movement in Congress, firefighters will be expected to man the fire line without pay. Thu, 28 Sep 2023 22:27:52 GMT /local-news/2023-09-28/wildland-firefighters-fear-being-left-behind-as-government-shutdown-looms Bryce Dix /local-news/2023-08-01/new-usda-center-in-albuquerque-aims-to-help-urban-growers The USDA is investing in new offices nationwide to help people growing food in cities. One of these new Urban Service Centers is in Albuquerque. Tue, 01 Aug 2023 22:33:01 GMT /local-news/2023-08-01/new-usda-center-in-albuquerque-aims-to-help-urban-growers Alice Fordham