A number of counties are currently being affected by drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has crop updates for farmers, as well as information about crop insurance, assistance for livestock losses, and emergency farm loans.
Find weather updates, tips and more resources to help you.
Image description: These pigs are pasture raised by a 3rd generation farmer at Keenbell Farm in Rockville, VA. Raising pigs on pastures reduces odor problems, and avoids hazardous waste issues by distributing the manure. Pastures are rotated at least every 90 days to allow the grass and land to regrow.
Photo by Lance Cheung, U.S. Department of Agriculture
This historical photograph from the Emerson Brooks Collection at the National Agricultural Library shows a woman farming on a tractor. Farms contribute to many aspects of our lives and provide the raw materials for many of our everyday necessities.
Learn more about farms and how you can support local farmers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative.
Yesterday the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) replaced the food pyramid with MyPlate.
MyPlate is a visual reminder to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables. It also shows the other food groups that make a well-balanced meal: whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy. MyPlate is based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
ChooseMyPlate.gov has information on healthy eating and tools like the customizable Daily Food Plan and Food Tracker.
Share what’s on your plate by taking a photo of your next meal. Then post it on Twitter using the hashtag #MyPlate.
