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Glencore plc (“Glencore”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”) for the purchase by a wholly owned subsidiary of CPPIB of a 40% equity interest in Glencore Agricultural Products (“Glencore Agri”), for an aggregate consideration of US$2.5 billion payable in cash upon closing, subject to customary working capital closing adjustments (‘’the Transaction’’).

The Transaction values 100% of the equity in Glencore Agri at US$6.25 billion. As at 31 December 2015, the business had long-term debt of US$0.6 billion and working capital (net of cash) of US$3.0 billion (including readily marketable inventories of US$2.5 billion) which it intends to finance with short term debt on closing.

The Transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions and is expected to close during the second half of 2016. The proceeds from the Transaction will be used by Glencore to reduce net indebtedness.

Glencore Agri is a differentiated and vertically-integrated business focused on the global agricultural products value chain. Built around a network of high-quality origination and logistics assets, comprising over 200 storage facilities, 31 processing facilities and 23 ports in strategic
locations around the world, Glencore Agri is well-positioned in key export regions and in the trade of major agricultural commodities including grains, oilseeds products, rice, sugar, pulses and cotton. In the year to 31 December 2015, Glencore Agri reported earnings before interest
and tax of US$524 million, and at 31 December 2015 had gross assets of US$10,187 million.

Upon closing, Glencore Agri will be governed by its own board of directors. CPPIB shall have the right to appoint two directors to the Board of Glencore Agri alongside two Glencoreappointed directors and the CEO, Chris Mahoney. At shareholder meetings Glencore and CPPIB representatives shall vote in proportion to their shareholdings, subject to certain reserved matters.

In addition, and consistent with the mutual commitment to a successful long-term partnership, Glencore and CPPIB have agreed to an initial four year lock-up period subject to a carve-out for Glencore to sell up to a further 20% stake. As well as customary exit provisions, including a right of first refusal, each of Glencore and CPPIB may call for an initial public offering of Glencore Agri after eight years from the date of closing.

Commenting on the Transaction, Ivan Glasenberg, CEO of Glencore, said:
“We are pleased to be partnering with CPPIB as we embark on the next stage of the development of Glencore Agri. Under Glencore’s ownership the business has been successfully rebased, particularly following the Viterra acquisition in 2012 and is well-positioned to benefit from long-term global macro and sector trends. CPPIB have a proven track record in the sector and share our vision for the future growth of the business through value-creating organic and inorganic growth opportunities for the benefit of all stakeholders. We welcome them aboard and look forward to continuing our good relationship as we work together.”

Commenting on the Transaction, Chris Mahoney, CEO of Glencore Agri, said:
“This is an important day in the evolution of Glencore Agri, and we look forward to working with CPPIB to continue to build the Glencore Agri business over the long-term. With the investment potential created by this partnership, and given the existing network of high-quality origination,
logistics and port assets in key export regions, the business is now well-placed to take advantage of the significant opportunities that are expected to emerge across the sector in the coming years.”

Commenting on the Transaction, Mark Jenkins, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Private Investments at CPPIB, said:
“As an asset class, agriculture is an excellent fit for a long-term investor like CPPIB, and we are excited about the opportunity to acquire a significant stake in Glencore Agri, a leading agricultural business. Glencore Agri complements our existing portfolio of agriculture assets,
bringing global exposure, scale and diversification. In addition, Glencore Agri’s experienced management team has a proven track record of growth, and combined with a successful business model, we see this as a compelling opportunity that aligns with CPPIB’s long-term investment horizon.

Springdale, Ark. – The efforts of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) to operate responsibly and with more transparency are outlined in the company’s first comprehensive sustainability report since its 2014 acquisition of The Hillshire Brands Company.

For the first time, the online report is being issued in segments over five weeks, beginning with today’s release of an update on the company’s animal well-being efforts. Upcoming segments will cover corporate giving, environmental stewardship, product development and workforce.

Each segment is designed to highlight the company’s performance in an open, honest and understandable way, which reflects Tyson Foods’ commitment to share its successes and challenges in a meaningful and relevant manner.

“Our newest report shows we’re committed to being more transparent about how we do business and our desire for continuous improvement,” said Leigh Ann Johnston, director of sustainability for Tyson Foods. “We’re providing more details – from how we’re reducing antibiotic use and auditing animal well-being on farms to our management of water and workplace safety – than ever before. We recognize that today’s consumers expect access to a new level of information so they know the food they buy is produced responsibly.”

The animal well-being segment issued today features more detailed information on the Tyson FarmCheck® program, which involves on-farm, third party animal well-being audits.
“Fiscal 2015 was a year of progress for Tyson Foods but was not without challenges,” said Dr. Christine Daugherty, vice president of Sustainable Food Production for Tyson Foods. “We’re humble enough to admit we’re not perfect and are working every day to strengthen our commitment to making sure the animals we depend on are treated properly.”
Tyson Foods also continues to do its part to address global concerns about antibiotic resistance. The company is making progress toward its goal of eliminating the use of human antibiotics in its broiler chicken flocks by the end of September 2017. The sustainability report details the company’s limited use of human antibiotics in its chicken business during the company’s last fiscal year.

“We believe that through continued improvement in such areas as housing, sanitation and the use of probiotics, we can continue to improve bird health and reduce the need for human antibiotics,” said Daugherty.

In 2015, Tyson Foods also began forming working groups with independent farmers, feedlot operators and others to discuss ways to reduce the use of human antibiotics on cattle, hog and turkey farms. The company also offers consumers the option of chicken, beef and pork from animals raised without antibiotics.

Other animal well-being highlights in the new sustainability report include:

Development of a formal animal well-being policy that recognizes the importance of the internationally-recognized Five Freedoms for animal well-being.

Installation of third-party remote video auditing of live bird handling at the company’s U.S. chicken plants.

Plans to offer additional annual training for farmers who raise broiler chickens for the company.

Additional information about Tyson Foods’ animal well-being programs that is not included in the sustainability report, covering such areas as housing, training and transportation, is available by clicking here.

About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. It’s a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 113,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

LIMA, Peru, – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman announced today that the U.S. government has reached agreement with the government of Peru to remove barriers for U.S. beef exports to Peru that have remained in effect since 2003, opening one of the fastest growing markets in Latin America to all American beef and beef products. In 2015, the United States exported $25.4 million in beef and beef products to Peru. Since the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) entered into force in 2009, U.S. beef and beef products have grown substantially but have been hampered due to burdensome certification requirements installed by Peru in 2003. This agreement, reached today during Secretary Vilsack’s trade and investment mission to Peru, removes those barriers – called the export verification program – and assures American ranchers of expanded market access.

“Since 2009, the United States and Peru have enjoyed one of the strongest bilateral trade relationships in the Western Hemisphere, and today it became much stronger,” said Vilsack after meeting with officials from the government of Peru. “Since 2003, USDA and USTR have worked diligently to reopen and expand markets once closed to U.S. beef. This is another win in a long line of successes that led to a near-record U.S. beef and beef product exports in 2015. The Obama Administration will continue to work hard around the world to remove unfair barriers and create a more level playing for America’s farmers, ranchers, producers and rural communities.”

“Peru has been a growing market for American beef and this agreement will only further expand opportunities for American producers and exporters,” said U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. “Not many years ago, there was little American beef going to Peru, but through the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, and agreements like this, we are seeing increased demand for high-quality American beef.”

Bilateral trade of agricultural, fish and forestry products between the United States and Peru topped $3 billion in 2015 and has grown more than 110 percent since 2009.

The agreement reached today reflects the United States’ negligible risk classification for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Through an exchange of letters, the United States and Peru have agreed to changes in certification statements that will allow beef and beef products from all federally inspected U.S. establishments to be eligible for export to Peru, rather than only those beef and beef products from establishments that participated in the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Export Verification (EV) programs under the previous certification requirements.

Agricultural exports have climbed more than 35 percent in value since 2009 under the Obama Administration, totaling a record $919.6 billion over the past seven years. Agricultural exports support more than 1 million American jobs. Since 2009, USDA has removed numerous unfair restrictions to U.S. trade to help farmers export more. USDA has also led more than 225 U.S. agribusinesses and more than 20 State Departments of Agriculture on agricultural trade missions to countries around the world, including Peru. Peru is also a member of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which concluded negotiations in October 2015 on a historic trade agreement. Passage of TPP by the U.S. Congress will provide new market access across the board for America’s farmers and ranchers by lowering tariffs, eliminating barriers, boosting exports and supporting jobs in America’s rural economies.

HAVANA, – As part of President Obama’s historic trip to Cuba to further normalization of relations, advance commercial and people-to-people ties, and express our support for human rights for all Cubans, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced several measures that will foster further collaboration between the U.S. and Cuban agriculture sectors. The two neighboring countries share common climate and agriculture related concerns, and the measures announced today in Havana will mutually benefit the Cuban people and U.S. farmers and ranchers.

While in Cuba, Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA will allow the 22 industry-funded Research and Promotion Programs and 18 Marketing Order organizations to conduct authorized research and information exchange activities with Cuba. These groups, which are responsible for creating bonds with consumers and businesses around the world in support of U.S. agriculture, will be able to engage in cooperative research and information exchanges with Cuba about agricultural productivity, food security and sustainable natural resource management. Secretary Vilsack called the announcement “a significant step forward in strengthening our bond and broadening agricultural trade between the United States and Cuba.”

During their bilateral meeting today, Secretary Vilsack and Cuban Minster of Agriculture Gustavo Rodriguez Rollero will sign a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a framework for sharing ideas and research between the two countries. Secretary Vilsack also has invited Minister Rodriguez to join on a visit to one of USDA’s Climate Sub Hubs in Puerto Rico in late May, where USDA researchers are studying the effects of climate change in the subtropical region and strategies for mitigating these effects.

“Recognizing the importance of agriculture in the United States and Cuba, USDA is advancing a new partnership for the 21st century between our two countries,” said Vilsack. “U.S. producers are eager to help meet Cuba’s need for healthy, safe, nutritious food. Research and Promotion and Marketing Order Programs have a long history of conducting important research that supports producers by providing information about a commodity’s nutritional benefits and identifying new uses for various commodities. The agreements we reached with our Cuban counterparts on this historic trip, and the ability for our agriculture sector leaders to communicate with Cuban businesses, will help U.S. agricultural interests better understand the Cuban market, while also providing the Cuban people with science-based information as they grow their own agriculture sector.”

USDA will review all proposed Research and Promotion Board and Marketing Order activities related to Cuba to ensure that they are consistent with existing laws. Examples of activities that may take place include the following:

Provide nutritional research and guidance, as well as participate with the Cuban government and industry officials, at meetings regarding nutrition and related Cuban rules and regulations.
Conduct plate waste study research in schools to determine what kids eat and what they discard, leading to improved nutritional information that helps develop the guidance for school meal requirements, ensuring kids are getting adequate nutrition to be successful in school.
Provide U.S. based market, consumer, nutrition and environmental research findings to Cuban government and industry officials.
Research commodities’ role in a nutritious diet that improves health or lowers the risk of chronic diseases.
Study the efficacy of water disinfectants to eliminate/inactivate bacteria on commodities.
Test recipes and specific products amongst Cuban consumers of all ages, with the goal of increasing product development and acceptance.
Conduct consumer tracking studies to measure attitudes when it comes to a specific commodity and consumption and to identify consumer groups based on their behavior, attitudes, and purchasing habits for a particular commodity.
The visit to the Puerto Rico Sub Hub would allow USDA and Cuba’s Ministry of Agriculture to exchange information on climate change as it relates to tropical forestry and agriculture, and explore opportunities for collaboration. The two officials would be able to explore tools and strategies to cope with challenges associated with climate change, such as drought, heat stress, excessive moisture, longer growing seasons, and changes in pest pressure.

The Puerto Rico hub is part of the USDA Regional Climate Hub network that supports applied research and provides information to farmers, ranchers, advisors, and managers to inform climate-related decision making. The hubs are an invaluable resource for those seeking to understand the specific risks of climate change, as well as region-specific adaptation strategies.

The agriculture and forestry sectors in the Caribbean are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Not only is the region particularly exposed to extreme weather events, but much of its population and prime agricultural lands are located on the coast. The Puerto Rico Sub Hub is specifically focused on addressing these unique challenges and supporting the people and institutions involved in tropical forestry and agriculture.

While most U.S. commercial activities are prohibited, the Trade Sanctions Reform Act (TSRA) of 2000 permits the export of U.S. agricultural commodities, though U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba are limited by U.S. restrictions on government export assistance, cash payments, and extending credit. U.S. agricultural exports have grown significantly since trade was authorized in 2000. In 2014, Cuba imported over $2 billion in agricultural products including $300 million from the United States. However, from 2014 to 2015, U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba fell 48 percent to $148.9 million, the lowest since 2002, giving the United States just a 10 percent market share as Cuba’s fourth largest agricultural supplier, behind the EU, Brazil, and Argentina.

This historic visit to Cuba is the first by a sitting U.S. President in nearly 90 years. It is Secretary Vilsack’s second visit and is another demonstration of the President’s commitment to chart a new course for U.S.-Cuban relations and connect U.S. and Cuban citizens through expanded travel, commerce, and access to information.

WASHINGTON, – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 10 states have been selected to take part in SNAP to Skills, a first-of-its-kind, peer-to-peer effort to help state agencies design improved employment and training programs for adults participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in order to help them find employment and ultimately move off the SNAP program.

“Fortunately, the economy is improving in most areas of the country, but it is still very challenging for people with limited education or more basic job skills to secure full time work and better paying jobs,” said Vilsack. “Helping SNAP recipients move off the program due to higher job earnings produces a double win for the individual household and for the economy as a whole.”

States selected for SNAP to Skills include: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee. In October 2015, USDA announced that the Seattle Jobs Initiative would create an intensive technical assistance program to help states to build better, stronger Employment and Training (E&T) programs. These 10 states were chosen to participate based on their existing level of commitment and interest in expanding the SNAP E&T program, their ability to build effective partnerships with local training providers, and the availability of strong, job-driven workforce development programs in the state. The project will last two years, ending in September 2017.

E&T programs may include job search training, education activities (including basic skills training, English language learning, vocational training, postsecondary education), self-employment or on-the-job training, and job retention services.

The Seattle Jobs Initiative has a long-standing history of providing technical assistance in SNAP Employment and Training. The organization was a critical partner in building Washington State’s Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET), a leading employment and training program.

SNAP E&T is a critical tool in each state’s workforce development system that can provide employer-valued skills training to low-income, low-skilled Americans. SNAP E&T can help unemployed workers get back on their feet and can offer workers in low-wage jobs additional skills training to advance in their careers.

With two-third of jobs created over the next decade expected to require at least some education or training beyond high school, expanding access to education and training for SNAP participants who have limited skills or earn low wages is critical to helping participants transition into economic self-sufficiency.

In March 2015, USDA announced the launch of 10 separate long-term SNAP E&T pilots, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill, to test and study innovative strategies that will run concurrently and in addition to the SNAP to Skills Project.

As the nation’s first line of defense against hunger, SNAP helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month and has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP helps many hard-working Americans supplement their family’s nutrition and to make ends meet. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 46 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, nine percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings. In 2014, SNAP kept at least 4.7 million people, including nearly 2.1 million children, out of poverty.

Over the past seven years, USDA has enhanced federal nutrition programs, providing a critical safety net for millions of American children and families. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation. March is National Nutrition Month. Throughout the month, USDA will be highlighting results in improving nutrition and reducing food insecurity at www.medium.com/usda-resultsThis is an external link or third-party site outside of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website..

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – General Mills announces its 150th birthday today with plans for a year-long celebration. To celebrate its impact on a century and a half of food around the world, General Mills will share and highlight nostalgic food memorabilia from its historical archives. And honoring its journey of developing leading brands, life-changing inventions and cultural icons, General Mills is pledging “a future of continued innovation – and striving to help make its communities and the world a better place.”

“Ours is a rich history,” said Ken Powell, chairman and chief executive of General Mills. “Morning, noon and night, for 150 years, General Mills has served the world by making food people love. Today we proudly bring quality foods and leading brands to people in 130 countries around the world – and we’re especially excited about all we will do in our next 150 years.”

“General Mills is a part of Americana,” says Tom Forsythe, chief communications officer for General Mills. “We invented the Nerf ball, built the ‘Black Box,’ and along the way we’ve touched people’s lives with our iconic brands.”

General Mills will not only celebrate its past, but will also be looking ahead to the future throughout the year. “We’re going to continue meeting consumers’ changing needs through innovation and determination,” Powell explains, “and we’re going to continue to work to make our communities and the world a better place.”

Our history
General Mills traces its roots to 1866, when Cadwallader C. Washburn built single mill on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Through hard work and determination, Washburn’s mill grew into a multi-billion dollar company and one of the largest food companies in the world.

Over its 150 years, General Mills has woven part of the fabric of American culture, including:

Life-changing innovations and inventions –

Dr. Howard Bauman, a Pillsbury food scientist, developed the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system that remains the gold standard of ensuring food safety in processing facilities around the world.

General Mills’ mechanical division teamed with University of Minnesota professor James Ryan to create the Ryan flight recorder, also known as the “Black Box.” The invention changed the face of aviation, and a version of the Ryan recorder flies today in every global commercial aircraft. General Mills also created and built the small deep-dive submarine ALVIN, that made the first-ever dives to the Titanic.

Advertising “Firsts” – General Mills created what is believed to be the first singing radio commercial for Wheaties in 1926, and sponsored the first televised commercial sports broadcast in 1939. Bisquick created and sponsored one of the first radio “soap opera,” Betty and Bob. General Mills also owned or sponsored popular shows like The Lone Ranger, Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy and The Bullwinkle Show.

Leading Brands – Beginning with Gold Medal Flour, General Mills created many of the world’s most recognizable and beloved food brands. Its iconic brands include Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Cheerios, Wheaties, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Old El Paso and more. Its international brands include Häagen-Dazs, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, Green Giant, Latina, and Frescarini, among others. General Mills also created many iconic brand characters, including the Pillsbury Doughboy, Betty Crocker, the Green Giant, BuzzBee, the Trix Rabbit and Lucky the Leprechaun.

Call to Service – During World War I, the company supported relief missions, providing food to war-ravaged Europe. In World War II, General Mills built precision targeting technologies, including the jitterbug torpedo, as well as producing foods for the Army’s K rations and C rations. In the 1960s, Pillsbury provided NASA astronauts with space foods, leading to the launch of Space Food Sticks. In 1954, the company created the General Mills Foundation, through which it fueled more than $2billion dollars in support to nonprofit organizations

Beyond Food – General Mills was also a leading manufacturer of toys, with Kenner, Parker Brothers, Play-Doh and Lionel Trains. It invented the Nerf ball, Care Bears and Paint-by-Number; marketed Spirograph, Monopoly, Risk, Clue and Stretch Armstrong; and gave the world the Betty Crocker Easy Bake Oven. Beyond toys, the company developed O-Cel-O Sponges; operated clothing brands such as Eddie Bauer, Foot-Joy, Talbots, Izod and Lacoste; and made furniture such as Dunbar and Pennsylvania House. It was also a major restaurateur with Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Burger King and more.

Natural and Organic – General Mills entered the natural and organic market in 2000, acquiring Small Planet Foods which included Cascadian Farm and Muir Glen. It also added LÄRABAR, Liberté, Mountain High, Food Should Taste Good, Immaculate Baking and most recently, Annie’s.
General Mills today

General Mills is one of the world’s top ten food companies. Dedicated to putting consumers first, General Mills continues to innovate around the world to meet changing consumer needs. In the U.S., General Mills is removing artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources from all of its Big G cereals.

It is also a leader in sustainable business practices, with industry-leading commitments on climate change, and a pledge to sustainably source 100 percent of its top 10 ingredients by the year 2020.

The future

General Mills’ strategies for “the next big thing” include partnering with emerging food brands and entrepreneurs to create new and on-trend breakthrough foods through the company’s new business development and venturing unit, 301 Inc., providing knowledge, expertise and access to capital.

“What’s exciting is all that we will do in the future,” Powell adds. “The past is prologue. The future is what we’re about. We’re going to continue our strong focus on sustainability and advocate for food security, because food is essential to life.”

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2016 – As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ongoing efforts to boost opportunity in rural communities, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded six low-interest loans to local governments and community organizations that will spur rural economic development in five states. Secretary Vilsack announced the awards at the Legislative Conference of the National Association of Counties during a seminar with the White House Rural Council.

“These loans will improve rural economies by providing capital to small and emerging businesses,” Vilsack said. “Access to capital is too often the missing link that stands between success and failure for many businesses. This funding will help ensure that emerging rural businesses will have the resources they need to grow and prosper.”

USDA is awarding $3.5 million in loans through the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). The program provides 1 percent, low-interest loans to intermediaries that re-lend money to businesses and for community development projects in rural areas. These projects create jobs and help stem rural out-migration.

One of the projects funded today, Nodaway County Economic Development, Inc. in Maryville, Mo., has been selected for a $425,000 IRP loan. It plans to expand a revolving loan fund that provides financing for small businesses in a high-poverty area in rural, Northwest Missouri. The projects assisted with the fund are expected to create up to 50 jobs.

The other five recipients are:

Florida

Palm Beach County Department of Economic Sustainability, West Palm Beach. $1,000,000. To finance economic development projects in rural areas, primarily for low- and moderate-income businesses and underrepresented groups.
Georgia

Small Business Access Partners, Inc., Gainesville. $1,000,000. To provide low-interest loans for business and community development in rural counties.
North Carolina

Natural Capital Investment Fund, Chapel Hill. $364,104. To provide low-interest loans to public and non-profit organizations for small business and community development.
Texas

East Texas Regional Development Corporation, Kilgore. $500,000. To provide low-interest loans for business and community development in rural, underserved areas in Texas. This loan is expected to create 10 jobs.
Texas

Lift Fund, Inc., San Antonio. $222,364. To create a revolving loan fund that can benefit all counties in Texas. This loan is expected to create 33 jobs.
Four of the recipients receiving awards are partners in USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity initiative. The East Texas Regional Development Corp. serves the StrikeForce counties of Camp, Cherokee and Marion. Georgia’s Small Business Access Partners, Inc. serves the StrikeForce counties of Wilkes and Taliaferro. Palm Beach County in Florida, served by the Department of Economic Sustainability, is a StrikeForce County. Nearly half the 100 counties in North Carolina are served by StrikeForce. USDA launched StrikeForce in 2010 to address persistent poverty across America. USDA staff work with state, local and community officials to increase awareness of USDA programs and help build program participation through intensive community outreach and technical assistance.

The impact of many Intermediary Relending Program loans is immediate. In 2015, Champion Community Investments (CCI) used a loan financed through the IRP program to expand the Robin’s Nest Learning Center in Carterville, Ill. Today, it is southern Illinois’s largest infant and toddler learning and care facility. CCI is a non-profit economic development agency based in Du Quoin, Ill. USDA Rural Development has partnered with CCI since 2006 to grow local businesses and create or save jobs in economically distressed communities in southern Illinois. McPherson Automotive in Du Quoin, Ill., also benefitted from IRP financing last year. This family-owned business expanded its operations through the program.

USDA Rural Development has a strong track record of strengthening rural businesses and economies through its Rural Business-Cooperative Service, which manages the IRP program. Since the start of the Obama administration, USDA has helped 85,000 rural businesses.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.

ATLANTA, – The Coca-Cola Company today announced that it is accelerating the pace and scale of its bottler refranchising efforts with plans to refranchise 100% of Company-owned North America bottling territories by the end of 2017, including all cold-fill production facilities. The Company has also entered into a non-binding letter of intent to refranchise Company-owned bottling operations in China to existing partners China Foods Limited, part of COFCO Limited, and Swire Beverage Holdings Limited, building on other recent global refranchising initiatives in Europe and Africa.

The Company’s progress and success in transitioning bottling territories to date has provided the confidence to increase the pace of transition.

“We have made significant progress on our North American refranchising initiatives,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company. “We continue to negotiate additional agreements and we are in constant discussion with potential partners who are excited about investing in the future of the Coca-Cola system in our flagship market as well as in other markets around the world.”

Added Kent: “The acceleration of our global refranchising marks a step change in our efforts to refocus The Coca-Cola Company on its core business of building strong, valuable brands and leading a system of strong bottling partners.”

The franchise system is a cornerstone of the Company’s 21st Century Beverage Partnership Model in North America, a broad initiative aimed at building on system capabilities to sustain success. The first letters of intent in the refranchising process were announced in 2013.

“This has been an important, strategic process that positions the Coca-Cola system in its flagship market for a great future,” said J. Alexander “Sandy” Douglas Jr., President,

Coca-Cola North America. “The North American market presents an opportunity to blend the strengths of a locally focused franchise bottling system with national production efficiencies and large customer account management.”

So far, the Company has reached definitive agreements or signed letters of intent to refranchise territories that account for more than 40% of bottler-delivered distribution volume in the United States. The Company’s Coca-Cola Refreshments unit continues to operate Company-owned territories in North America and will work to ensure a smooth transition to aligned, new and existing bottling partners going forward.

As part of this accelerated refranchising effort, the Company now plans to sell the remainder of its Company-owned cold-fill production facilities by the end of 2017. These facilities produce sparkling beverages, such as Coca-Cola trademark brands and Sprite, along with still brands such as Dasani. The Company expects to maintain ownership of its hot-fill facilities, which produce brands such as Powerade and Minute Maid juices. Company-owned hot-fill operations will supply the entire North America Coca-Cola system.

Today, the Company announced several deals that represent additional progress in the overall North America refranchising process.

New letters of intent provide that:

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, based in Charlotte, N.C., will assume additional territory in portions of Ohio and West Virginia, along with a production facility in Twinsburg, Ohio.
Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Roseburg, based in Roseburg, Ore., will assume territory in the Pacific Northwest, primarily in southern Oregon and a small portion of northern California.
ABARTA, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, will assume territory in Pennsylvania.
The letters of intent announced today are subject to the parties reaching definitive agreements. Financial terms are not being disclosed.

The Company has also closed its previously announced Definitive Agreement with Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated and successfully transitioned additional territory in Maryland and Virginia, along with a production facility in Sandston, Va.

International Refranchising
Today, the Company is also announcing that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to refranchise Company-owned bottling operations in China to existing partners China Foods Limited, part of COFCO Limited, and Swire Beverage Holdings Limited.

Coca-Cola’s third-largest market by volume, China represents a significant long-term growth opportunity for The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling system. The system recently opened its 45th local plant and is currently investing $4 billion in China for future growth, building on $9 billion of investments made in the market since 1979.

Elsewhere, the Company is also focused on refranchising in markets such as Europe and Africa. This includes the planned creation of Coca-Cola European Partners in Western Europe and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Southern and Eastern Africa.

History of North America Refranchising
North America is Coca-Cola’s oldest and largest market in the world. Historically, the Coca-Cola system in the United States and Canada was comprised of a significant number of small, local bottlers. Through decades of consolidation, the system evolved to be comprised of a much smaller number of bottlers. By the early 2000s, the majority of North American bottling territories were owned by Coca-Cola Enterprises.

A decade ago, The Coca-Cola Company began working with its bottling partners on plans to develop a model that would evolve the way the system serves a changing customer and consumer landscape, with a focus on creating stronger system alignment. A critical step was the Company’s acquisition of the North American territories of Coca-Cola Enterprises in 2010.

In the five years since the deal was closed, The Coca-Cola Company has accelerated the implementation of the new model by strategically addressing the franchise system, customer service, product supply and a common information technology platform.

Ultimately, the Coca-Cola system in North America will be comprised of economically aligned bottling partners that have the capability to serve major customers, coupled with the ability to maintain strong, local ties across diverse markets in the United States and Canada.

The system also includes a new structure for production of finished beverages, with cold-fill production being owned by select, regional producing bottlers and hot-fill and syrup production remaining under ownership of Coca-Cola North America. The National Product Supply Group, or NPSG, which has a board comprised of representatives from Coca-Cola North America, Coca-Cola Refreshments, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED and Swire Coca-Cola USA, will administer key activities for NPSG-member bottlers. The board currently represents approximately 95% of U.S.-produced volume.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of more than 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

WASHINGTON, – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new step to support farmers transitioning to certified organic production, by expanding a crop insurance option to allow producers to purchase insurance coverage that better reflects their product’s actual value. The expanded coverage is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) continued commitment to provide farmers with resources and tools to meet the growing demand for certified organic products. The Secretary made the announcement at the White House during remarks to participants at the USDA Market Summit.

“Consumer demand for organic products continues to increase and the industry has experienced remarkable growth, representing more than $39 billion in U.S. retail sales,” said Vilsack. “This growth creates opportunities for farmers and businesses across the country. Expanding the safety net for farmers wanting to enter the organic market ensures they have the tools and resources they need to meet this growing demand while protecting their operation.”

The organic sector is growing, and certified organic products often return higher profits for farmers. It can take producers three years, however, to transition from conventional to certified organic production. Previously, producers of transitional crops were only able to insure them at the same price as a conventional producer. But today’s announcement enables producers to insure transitional crops to their contract price (within approved limits).

Producers transitioning to certified organic production can now use the Contract Price Addendum to cover their crops at a higher price than traditional crops. The Contract Price Addendum allows farmers transitioning to organic production to insure certain crops at their contract price rather than the published U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) price election.

RMA has also expanded organic premium price elections to 57 crops, up from four in 2011, providing organic producers the option to protect their 2016 crops closer to the market value. Barley, rice and wheat are among the crops for which organic price elections have been added. New additions for 2017 will include grapefruit, lemons and oranges.

For example, under the Contract Price Addendum, a producer in Nebraska can use a contract price for millet up to a maximum of $7.34 per bushel (for transitional) or $8.44 (for certified organic production), as opposed to using the existing RMA price elections of $3.67 (for transitional) or $4.22 (for certified organic production). A Contract Price Addendum fact sheet is available online at http://go.usa.gov/cyFGR.

Since 2009, USDA has strengthened programs that support organic producers as they grow, thrive and respond to increasing consumer demand for organic products. Last year, USDA reported that U.S. certified and exempt organic farms sold a total of $5.5 billion in organic products in 2014, up 72 percent since 2008. The U.S. retail market for organic products is valued at more than $39 billion, and in 2014 there were 19,474 certified USDA organic operations in the United States, representing nearly a 250 percent increase since 2002. Worldwide, in 2014 there were nearly 28,000 certified organic operations in more than 120 different countries. More information about USDA’s support under this Administration for organic producers and businesses can be found at www.usda.gov/results.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. Contact a local crop insurance agent for more information about the program. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers or online at www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html.

The sales closing date is the last day to buy a new policy or change an existing policy’s coverage level. Producers can find sales closing dates for the crops in their states by referring to RMA’s regional office state directory. Current policyholders also have until the sales closing date to make any changes to their existing contracts.

A list of commodities eligible for the Contract Price addendum is available online at www.rma.usda.gov/news/currentissues/organics/cpa_eligibility.html.

More information on risk management tools available for organic farmers can be found on the RMA organic crops website. Visit www.usda.gov/organic to learn more about USDA’s resources for organic agriculture.

CHICAGO, —Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) announced today that it has reached an agreement to purchase a controlling stake in Harvest Innovations, an industry leader in minimally processed, expeller-pressed soy proteins, oils and gluten-free ingredients.

“More and more consumers are looking for foods that are gluten-free, that aren’t genetically modified, and that are healthy and organic, and ADM is perfectly positioned to meet those needs,” said Vince Macciocchi, president of ADM’s WILD Flavors and Specialty Ingredients business unit. “We were already the provider of choice for a wide range of healthy, clean-label ingredients, and in the last year, we’ve significantly expanded our product portfolio. Today’s addition perfectly complements our existing ingredient businesses and offers customers a full-service, one-stop shop for their ingredient needs.”

Harvest Innovations uses expeller pressing to turn grains, legumes and oilseeds into minimally-processed, non-GMO, organic, gluten-free ingredients. Products range from non-GMO soy chips, expeller-pressed soy flour and textured vegetable protein, to the industry’s only organic soy crisps, to gluten-free flours and pastas.

“We are not done growing,” Macciocchi added. “Today, we offer an unmatched range of products, a fully integrated soy protein and gluten-free supply chain, and world-class formulation and solution expertise. We’re continuing to add to our capabilities, execute our plan to grow strategically, and deliver value for our customers and our shareholders.”

Harvest Innovations is based in Indianola, Iowa, and has a second processing facility in Deshler, Ohio.

“This is a great opportunity for the Harvest business, the Harvest team and Harvest customers,” said Barry Nadler, president and co-owner of Harvest Innovations. “We’re excited to join our resources and expertise with ADM’s to grow our business, and to serve more customers with more products, more innovation, and more great customer service.”

ADM anticipates closing the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, in the coming months.

About WILD Foods and Specialty Ingredients
ADM’s WILD Flavors and Specialty Ingredients business unit, or WFSI, offers a comprehensive portfolio of ingredients to help customers deliver products that address taste, texture, nutrition and function. That portfolio also includes a wide range of proteins, lecithins, edible beans and related ingredients, hydrocolloids, polyols, soluble fiber products and other ingredients.

About ADM
For more than a century, the people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) have transformed crops into products that serve the vital needs of a growing world. Today, we’re one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers, with more than 32,300 employees serving customers in more than 160 countries. With a global value chain that includes 428 crop procurement locations, 280 ingredient manufacturing facilities, 39 innovation centers and the world’s premier crop transportation network, we connect the harvest to the home, making products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses. Learn more at www.adm.com.

WASHINGTON, – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement today on the Farm Income and Financial Forecasts for 2015 and 2016, released by USDA’s Economic Research Service.

“Today’s farm income forecast anticipates continued growth in median farm household income to a record level of $81,666 in 2016, up 4.5 percent. This trend reflects the investments made by USDA and the work of the Obama Administration to protect and ensure a strong farm safety net. Since 2009, USDA has made significant and targeted investments of more than $850 million across the United States toward building a robust local and regional food system that has the infrastructure to support a more diverse agricultural economy. For those producers challenged by weather, disease and falling prices, we have built a strong safety net to help keep them farming or ranching another season. During the same time period, rural communities have been infused with billions of dollars to build schools, hospitals, and public safety headquarters.

“Businesspeople and businesses of all sizes have availed themselves of USDA’s business loans and grants to spur growth that complements the agricultural economy. We’ve brought new or improved high-speed internet service to six million Americans in rural areas, along with investments in electricity, water and wastewater, and clean power. Taken together, these investments are strengthening rural communities.

“And we will continue to stand with farming families, small businesses and rural communities as they continue to help our country build a brighter future. Thanks to their ability to remain competitive through thick and thin, America’s farming families continue to be respected the world over for their high-quality goods, ability to manage risk and their capacity to reshape rural communities with biobased innovations that have led to increased job opportunities.

“Overall, net farm income for all producers is forecast down slightly, 3 percent, relative to 2015. This is an improvement from the double digit declines seen in 2014 and 2015, and it reflects a more competitive trade environment, softening projection for global demand and a continuation of the dip in agricultural commodity prices. While agricultural exports climbed more than 45 percent in value, totaling $911.4 billion over the past 5 years and besting all previous records in terms of value and volume and acting as an engine for America’s farm economy, today’s forecast shows how weaker foreign demand can weigh on farm income.

“Nevertheless, today’s forecast indicates a farm economy that has absorbed a challenge and will begin to see greater opportunities for growth in the months ahead. USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will continue to ensure American farming families have open markets and a level playing field by working to remove unfair barriers to trade and negotiating trade agreements, such as the Trans Pacific Partnership, that benefit all of agriculture.”

Full Forecast: www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-sector-income-finances/highlights-from-the-farm-income-forecast.aspx

SANTA CLARA, Calif., – Amid post-Super Bowl 50 celebrations, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, and Paul Rovey, dairy farmer and leader of the National Dairy Council (NDC), will announce the availability of $35 million in grants to help schools upgrade their kitchen equipment and infrastructure in order to offer students better access to nutritious foods.

Three in five students – more than 30 million children – rely on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for one to two meals per day, however according to a 2014 survey, 88% of schools reported lacking at least one piece of equipment they needed in order to serve healthier foods . These grants will give millions of additional children access to more nutritious meals by providing schools with the funds to purchase additional equipment to help them meet updated national nutrition standards, and serve healthy meals with more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, and less sodium and fat.

In 2008, USDA, NFL, NDC, and GENYOUth partnered via Fuel Up to Play 60This is an external link or third-party site outside of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website., an in-school nutrition and physical activity program to help encourage today’s youth to lead healthier lives.

Together these partners share a commitment to support youth wellness through improved nutrition and by providing greater opportunities for physical activity through a public-private partnership to promote those behaviors among America’s youth. This $35 million investment will help sustain the progress that has already been made by schools across the country to ensure that America’s children are greeted by healthier school environments.

“Success at all ages begins with a healthy meal, and that is why at USDA we have worked to overhaul school meal standards to ensure kids have access to nutritious foods. This commitment from our partners will ensure schools have the equipment they need to provide kids with a well-balanced meal, promoting childhood health and wellness,” said Vilsack. “We applaud our Fuel Up to Play 60 partners for their continued commitment to child nutrition. This collaboration enables us to expand our efforts and have a broader positive impact on our youth.”

Since 2009, USDA has awarded $215 million in school nutrition equipment grants, including $30 million being announced today. USDA provides this funding to states, which then competitively award grants to school districts in order to purchase necessary equipment, giving priority to high-need schools where 50 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced price meals. This year, Fuel Up to Play 60, who has provided more than $22 million in funds to schools throughout the country, is joining USDA’s effort by providing an additional $5 million through a separate, but concurrent, grant application process.

Schools can apply for USDA funding through their state, or for funds from Fuel Up directly through the organization’s website. In both cases, funding will support the purchase of new equipment and/or the renovation/replacement of equipment. Equipment may include large and small items including utility carts, utensils, large-capacity food processors, industrial scales, steamers, freezers etc. Infrastructure elements may include building needs related to physical space, electricity, plumbing, ventilation and other remodeling needs.

“This announcement not only helps further showcase our collective commitment to youth and community wellness, but also the powerful results that can be achieved through public-and-private partnerships,” said Alexis Glick, CEO, GENYOUth. “I am excited that the USDA and the NFL continue to join with us and America’s dairy farmers to positively impact today’s, and tomorrow’s youth by empowering them to live healthier lives.”

Schools that are interested in learning more about these grants should visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp-equipment-assistance-grants.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) has acquired EPIC Provisions, a rapidly growing, premium meat snacks company based in Austin, Texas. EPIC will operate under General Mills’ Annie’s business, which itself has experienced strong sales growth since General Mills acquired the company more than a year ago. EPIC will maintain its present location in Austin.

“The acquisition of EPIC positions General Mills for exciting growth with a highly authentic brand in an entirely new natural snacking category,” said John Foraker, President of Annie’s. “A purpose-driven brand like EPIC perfectly aligns with the experience and capabilities set that Annie’s brings to the table. EPIC has tremendous potential for growth in the natural snacking category. We’re committed to maintaining the great-tasting EPIC snacks people love, while further building this important brand to drive positive impact we can be proud of well into the future.”

EPIC Provisions was launched in 2013 by cofounders Taylor Collins and Katie Forrest, both competitive athletes seeking a convenient way to add nourishing animal protein to their diets. The original EPIC meat, fruit, and nut bar — the first of its kind — has created a new snacking category. EPIC Bars come in unique flavors including Bison Bacon Cranberry, Beef Habanero Cherry, Chicken Sesame BBQ, and Pulled Pork Pineapple.

Today the brand has evolved its product offerings to include EPIC Jerky Bites and EPIC Hunt and Harvest Trail Mix.

Both Collins and Forrest will continue with the business following the acquisition.

“We’re proud of the rapid growth EPIC Provisions has achieved during the past three years,” said Collins and Forrest. “Our decision to join General Mills provides EPIC with the scale to bring our products to even more consumers, and to significantly increase the positive impact of our business on grassland regeneration and proper livestock management practices. We look forward to working with Annie’s and General Mills to continue this momentum and to build upon the authenticity of the brand we created.”

EPIC snacks are sold primarily in the natural channel including nationally at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Natural Grocers, but are also sold at sporting and hiking shops including REI, as well as some conventional grocers.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About EPIC
EPIC Provisions is a category-creating meat snacks company based in Austin, Texas. The company was launched in 2013 by cofounders Taylor Collins and Katie Forrest, both competitive athletes seeking a convenient way to add nourishing animal protein to their diets. EPIC Bars, EPIC Bites, and EPIC Hunt and Harvest Mix are convenient snacks made with natural, meat-based whole ingredients.

About Annie’s
Headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., Annie’s, Inc. is a rapidly growing natural and organic food company with a widely recognized brand. Founded in 1989, Annie’s markets more than 145 products and is present in more than 35,000 retail locations in the United States and Canada.

About General Mills
General Mills is one of the world’s leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries around the globe. Its brands include Cheerios, Yoplait, Totino’s, Häagen-Dazs, Yoki, Pillsbury, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Fiber One, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., USA, General Mills had fiscal 2015 worldwide sales of $17.6 billion.

WASHINGTON, – Today, on behalf of the White House Rural Council, six federal agencies joined together to announce the selection of 27 communities in 22 states that will participate in Local Foods, Local Places, a federal initiative that helps communities increase economic opportunities for local farmers and related businesses, create vibrant places and promote childhood wellness by improving access to healthy local food.

Developed as a partnership between USDA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority, this initiative is part of the White House Rural Council’s Rural Impact work to improve quality of life and upward mobility for children and families in rural and tribal communities.

“The community where a child grows up impacts her odds of graduating high school, health outcomes and lifetime economic opportunities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This Administration has embarked on a different, locally-driven approach to empower homegrown solutions. Projects like these help us learn how to better coordinate and target federal assistance as we work with communities to ensure zip codes never determine a child’s destiny and every part of America prospers.”

“Local Foods, Local Places helps people access healthy local food and supports new businesses in neighborhoods that need investment,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “The program is good for the environment, public health and the economy. By helping bring healthy local food to market and offering new walking and biking options, Local Foods, Local Places can help improve air quality, support local economies, and protect undeveloped green space.”

“The United States is facing a growing population and demographic shifts that demand a transportation system prepared for the 21st century,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Local Foods, Local Places helps to promote investments in local roads and transit services that connect farmers, businesses, and residents further strengthening local economies and improving the quality of life in rural and urban communities.”

“Healthy food and regular physical activity are key ingredients to a long, productive life – but access to vegetables, fruits and walkable areas is limited for some,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD MPH. “The Local Foods, Local Places program can increase access to these important resources, and CDC is proud to support the expansion of this program in 2016.”

“Local Food, Local Places provides tools for Appalachian communities to make local food more impactful for local economies,” said Appalachian Regional Commission Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl. “It’s exciting to see how community leaders leverage Federal support to build stronger and healthier economies across Appalachia.”

“One of the greatest opportunities we see in the Delta region is entrepreneurship and innovation in the agriculture sector. Delta communities have some of the richest farmland and experienced farmers in the world and thus a competitive advantage to develop impactful strategies to feed their residents and boost economic and community development,” said Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chair Chris Masingill, “We’re seeing impressive results from last year’s Local Food, Local Places communities and look forward to the innovative strategies these new communities will create.”

The 27 communities selected for 2016 were chosen from more than 300 applicants. Each Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP) partner community works with a team of experts who help community members recognize local assets and opportunities, set goals for revitalizing downtowns and neighborhoods, develop an implementation plan and then identify targeted resources from the participating federal agencies to help implement those plans.

Launched in 2014, LFLP has already helped 26 communities make a difference in people’s lives. With technical assistance through LFLP, participants are taking innovative approaches to common challenges, like launching business incubators to support food entrepreneurs and starting cooperative grocery stores to help revitalize main streets. They are developing centrally located community kitchens and food hubs to aggregate and market local foods. Through the integration of transportation and walkability planning they are connecting people to markets and local restaurants. Health outcomes are being targeted through school and community programs that teach children about nutrition, provide hands-on experience growing food and expand local markets and increase access to them through expanded use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Working with LFLP technical supports teams:

Williamson, W.V. (population 3,000) is working to improve its food and health care systems with a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to establishing a culture of health through community and clinical interventions by expanding the local food system, improving access to fresh, healthy foods, promoting an active lifestyle and providing greater access to health care.
Rocky Mount, N.C. (population 56,325) is exploring opportunities to establish a farmers’ market and urban community gardens on former brownfield sites, Federal Emergency Management Agency buyout lots, and nearby affordable housing developments.
Clarksdale, Miss. (population 17,011) is developing a vegetable farming-based job training program and a series of community gardens that will supply food for a new farmers market and café.
Fallon, Nev. (population 8,439) is organizing stakeholders to start a community-owned grocery store in an abandoned building downtown.
Local Food, Local Places is one of the Administration’s community-based initiatives in action across the country. In these places federal experts are working side by side with residents and local leaders to create customized solutions; bolstering coordination across agencies and improving how we interact with communities as a ‘one Government’ partner; and relying on valuable data to help inform solutions and evaluate what is working and what is not.

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The 27 communities selected for 2016 include:

Alabama

Bessemer, Alabama, will receive technical assistance to start a farmers market in their downtown, convert vacant lots into community gardens, and build an urban farm and garden project using a former public housing property on a federally designated flood plain.
Alaska

Grow Palmer, in Palmer, Alaska, will receive technical assistance to support a sustainable food system and trail network in its downtown and foster coordination among organizations working on Palmer’s local food economy.
Arkansas

Lake Village, Arkansas, will grow the city’s community garden, expand worksite wellness programing for local businesses, and connect its parks with new trail systems to improve local food access, promote active living, and stimulate economic development.
California

Fresno, California, plans to establish the Downtown Fresno Public Market as a downtown anchor, leveraging existing resources to provide local food access and attract residents and visitors.
Colorado

Denver, Colorado, will receive technical assistance to identify strategies to enhance local food systems and local food education, and incorporate local foods into the redevelopment of the National Western Center to improve public health and economic and community development opportunities for neighborhood residents.
The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado, will partner with the city, downtown businesses, and community organizations to connect their existing health and well-being initiatives with a new program in sustainable food systems.
Georgia

The Winder Housing Authority in Winder, Georgia, plans to develop a pedestrian-accessible community kitchen and garden in the city’s Community Development Center.
Hawaii

The Hawaii Community Development Authority in Honolulu, Hawaii, plans to identify food-based projects that will spur greater investment and stewardship in the Kakaako Makai community, improve returns on local food production, integrate food security initiatives with community and transit-oriented development planning, and reduce stormwater runoff and vulnerability to sea level rise.
Indiana

Gary, Indiana, will receive technical assistance to encourage urban agriculture programs across 12 neighborhoods, develop strategies to strengthen local garden groups’ impact on public health, and forge connections among existing neighborhood planning initiatives.
Kentucky

Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. in Middlesboro, Kentucky, plans to create pallet gardens, low-cost mobile food carts, and business strategies for restaurants; a co-op grocery store; and other local food enterprises to employ low-income residents.
Maryland

The Baltimore Public Markets Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland, plans to revitalize Avenue Market in the distressed Upton/Druid Heights neighborhood to increase access to healthy food and promote economic development.
Somos Inc. in Crisfield, Maryland, will receive technical assistance to establish a year-round farmers market downtown, restoring community members’ access to healthy foods, which was lost when Superstorm Sandy destroyed the town’s grocery store.
Massachusetts

Gloucester, Massachusetts, will receive technical assistance to integrate seafood into food systems planning and use local foods to improve health and drive downtown revitalization.
Missouri

Ozark County Homegrown Food Projects in Gainesville, Missouri, plans to start a community garden in the city park and open a community kitchen and food shop in Gainesville Square.
Nevada

Henderson, Nevada, will receive technical assistance to develop a food access plan that connects key community areas and offers residents healthy, convenient alternatives for accessing food, work, school, and play throughout downtown Henderson.
New Jersey

Passaic, New Jersey, will receive technical assistance to strengthen business partnerships in the Eastside neighborhood’s ethnic restaurant and food service enclave so those local businesses can better market and connect themselves with the area’s redevelopment projects.
New York

The Adirondack North County Association and community partners in Keeseville, New York, will receive technical assistance to connect revitalization efforts downtown with local food and agritourism activities.
North Carolina

High Point, North Carolina, will receive technical assistance to develop a farmers market and other health and wellness programs for its new central library plaza.
Pennsylvania

The Redevelopment Authority in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, will receive technical assistance to attract more producers to the farmers market, expand cultivation of specialty crops, develop a flexible kitchen space facility, and establish a restaurant corridor reflective of the area’s historically diverse cultures to entice people to downtown.
South Carolina

The Colleton Museum and Farmers Market in Walterboro, South Carolina, will receive technical assistance to build partnerships, explore funding opportunities, and grow markets for local food.
South Dakota

Rosebud Economic Development Corporation of the Sioux Tribe in Mission, South Dakota, will receive technical assistance to establish a hub of healthy activity centered on local food using a new trail system that links the local grocery store, community garden, farmers market, creek, and wetlands.
Tennessee

Jackson, Tennessee, plans to create a school-based farmers market using food from the local high school’s garden and to connect the West Tennessee Farmers Market with surrounding neighborhoods to improve local food access and increase economic opportunity for farmers.
Martin, Tennessee, will receive technical assistance to launch a “Using Food to Build Community” forum to facilitate regular communication between local food producers and consumers, and encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing between different groups.
Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market in Memphis, Tennessee, will receive technical assistance to develop a permanent, versatile, and more accessible space to host its farmers market and serve as a public square for the city.
Texas

Dallas, Texas, will receive technical assistance to form a local food branding campaign and an alliance of garden and farm enthusiasts to build public awareness, community cohesion, and relationships between growers and local businesses and help community gardens share expertise and increase the size and variety of their yields.
Virginia

Christiansburg, Virginia, will receive technical assistance to identify funding and marketing strategies to expand its newly established farmers market, find a permanent location for the market, and attract more shops and restaurants downtown.
West Virginia

The Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation in Rainelle, West Virginia, will receive technical assistance to establish a mentor program for farmers and producers, develop a community grocery store, form a food alliance, and put vacant land into productive use.

All over the world, deforestation and forest degradation are under the microscope because together they comprise the second greatest driver of climate change. If you focus on the country of Ghana, you’ll find one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa.

In fact, the country has lost nearly 90 percent of its original forests. The losses are due to a variety of factors including wood extraction and agricultural expansion. The remaining forests are home to forest elephants, Diana monkeys and many types of rare, endemic amphibians—and many rural communities that often struggle to support their families.

One activity, centered on beehive construction, is an example of how deforestation in Ghana can be lessened. Local carpenters were trained to build beehives providing livelihood opportunities for carpenters as well as for the farmers who will manage the hives. The hope is that farmers can eat the honey they produce or sell it at local markets for income.

The larger environmental benefit comes from the farmers who change their practices because they see the potential value of maintaining an apiary. When they set up hives in the forest, the farmers forego cutting and burning of the forest necessary to grow crops.

It’s a win-win when farmers can avoid forest degradation or deforestation because they have options that generate more income and provide an additional food source.

Increasing tree cover, improving livelihoods and increasing awareness of climate change throughout Ghana are the focus of the Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project in the Western Region of Ghana. The project is managed by U.S. Forest Service International Programs. With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development in collaboration with Government of Ghana counterparts and private and non-profit partners, the project has had big impacts.

Seventeen local communities have worked side by side with U.S. Forest Service staff. Results include the distribution of more than 50,000 tree seedlings to support forest health, biodiversity and carbon sequestration. In addition, Forest Service assistance has supported the creation of 17 village savings and loan associations to support local economic development and improved livelihoods while promoting improved natural resource management practices.

By Karin Theophile, U.S. Forest Service, International Programs, on January 14, 2016 at 10:00 AM – See more at: http://blogs.usda.gov/2016/01/14/improving-forest-practices-one-beehive-at-a-time-in-ghana/#sthash.ScLgroaH.dpuf

– See more at: http://blogs.usda.gov/2016/01/14/improving-forest-practices-one-beehive-at-a-time-in-ghana/#sthash.ScLgroaH.dpuf

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 15, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the expansion of the Department’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative into high-poverty counties in Florida, Missouri, Montana, and Ohio. Launched in 2010, more than 1,500 StrikeForce partnerships have already helped USDA support nearly 190,000 projects and invest $23.5 billion in high-poverty areas in rural America.

“Growing the economy by investing in rural communities, farmers, makers and innovators, and increasing opportunities for families are keys to our nation’s future,” said Vilsack. “StrikeForce has proven to be an effective, collaborative process that builds partnerships and enables USDA to bring economic opportunity directly to rural Americans where they live and helps rural communities leverage their assets.”

Currently, 85 percent of our country’s persistent poverty counties are in rural America. More than one-third of rural Americans and one-in-four rural children live in poverty. Research has shown that even kids growing up in families earning as much as twice the poverty threshold are still nearly three times as likely as all other children to have poor health, are more likely to finish two fewer years of school, and are more likely to learn earn half as much money in their adult life.

USDA’s StrikeForce delivers promising, sustainable results by building partnerships with community organizations, businesses, foundations, universities, faith-based and other groups to help challenged communities shape a future based on local assets and regional strengths. With the addition of Oklahoma and Puerto Rico in 2015, StrikeForce technical assistance reached people in 880 counties and parishes, helping USDA invest nearly $7.5 billion to create jobs, build homes, feed kids, assist farmers and conserve natural resources in some of the nation’s most economically challenged areas.

Other significant, measurable results for 2015 include:

Helped create or save more than 5,800 jobs in high-poverty rural areas.
Assisted over 14,600 farmers and landowners to preserve natural resources and protect the environment.
Helped nearly10,000 farmers with farm loan assistance, almost three quarters of them socially disadvantaged or beginning farmers.
Provided more than 75 million summer meals to kids in StrikeForce states.
Altogether, 970 counties, parishes, boroughs, and census areas in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia are now eligible for “intensive care” through StrikeForce.

StrikeForce is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to address persistent poverty across America. USDA identifies census tracts with over 20 percent poverty (according to American Community Survey data) to identify sub-county pockets of poverty. As areas of persistent poverty are identified, USDA staff work with state, local and community officials to increase awareness of USDA programs and help build program participation through intensive community outreach and technical assistance. Visit www.usda.gov/StrikeForce.

USDA also works with other federal partners to synchronize and leverage related work underway through the White House placed-based priorities like the Promise Zone Initiative; the Rural IMPACT Demonstration; Local Foods, Local Places; and Strong Cities, Strong Communities.

Since 2009, USDA has made significant investments in the four states with counties receiving the StrikeForce designation:

In Florida, USDA invested nearly $61.6 billion between 2009 and 2015. This includes more than $6.5 billion in economic development to support affordable housing and create jobs; more than $1.4 billion in infrastructure development, including electricity, broadband and telecommunications, water, and community facilities; and more than $926 million through conservation efforts to protect Florida’s land, water and air resources.
In Missouri, USDA invested more than $32.1 billion between 2009 and 2015. This includes more than $4.7 billion in economic development to support affordable housing and create jobs; more than $2.9 billion in infrastructure development, including electricity, broadband and telecommunications, water, and community facilities; and nearly $1.7 billion through conservation efforts to protect Missouri’s land, water and air resources.
In Montana, USDA invested more than $11.4 billion between 2009 and 2015. This includes nearly $1.7 billion in economic development to support affordable housing and create jobs; nearly $828 million in infrastructure development, including electricity, broadband and telecommunications, water, and community facilities; and more than $1.2 billion through conservation efforts to protect Montana’s land, water and air resources.
In Ohio, USDA invested more than $36.8 billion between 2009 and 2015. This includes nearly $4.2 billion in economic development to support affordable housing and create jobs; more than $952 million in infrastructure development, including electricity, broadband and telecommunications, water, and community facilities; and nearly $828 million through conservation efforts to protect Ohio’s land, water and air resources.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.

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StrikeForce counties in Florida, Montana, Missouri and Ohio include:

Florida

Alachua County

Baker County

Bradford County

Calhoun County

Collier County

Columbia County

DeSoto County

Dixie County

Flagler County

Franklin County

Gadsden County

Gilchrist County

Glades County

Gulf County

Hamilton County

Hardee County

Hendry County

Highlands County

Holmes County

Jackson County

Jefferson County

Lafayette County

Leon County

Levy County

Liberty County

Madison County

Nassau County

Okeechobee County

Palm Beach County

Putnam County

Suwannee County

Taylor County

Union County

Wakulla County

Walton County

Washington County

Missouri

Barry County

Barton County

Benton County

Bollinger County

Butler County

Cape Girardeau County

Carter County

Cedar County

Crawford County

Dade County

Dallas County

Dent County

Douglas County

Dunklin County

Greene County

Hickory County

Howell County

Iron County

Jasper County

Lawrence County

Madison County

McDonald County

Miller County

Mississippi County

Morgan County

New Madrid County

Newton County

Oregon County

Ozark County

Pemiscot County

Perry County

Phelps County

Polk County

Reynolds County

Ripley County

Scott County

Shannon County

St. Clair County

St. Francois County

Ste. Genevieve County

Stoddard County

Texas County

Vernon County

Washington County

Wayne County

Wright County

Montana

Big Horn County

Blaine County

Chouteau County

Deer Lodge County

Glacier County

Golden Valley County

Hill County

Lake County

Liberty County

Prairie County

Roosevelt County

Rosebud County

Sanders County

Ohio

Adams County

Athens County

Fayette County

Guernsey County

Jackson County

Lucas County

Meigs County

Morgan County

Pike County

Scioto County

Vinton County

PURCHASE, N.Y., – Reflecting the evolving needs of today’s consumer and the increased desire for more good- and better-for-you choices on-the-go, PepsiCo today announced the launch of a new, state-of-the-art food and beverage vending initiative called “Hello Goodness.” Debuting today at the Beverage Digest Future Smarts Conference in New York City, the vending unit offers good- and better-for-you product choices from the company’s diverse and highly complementary food and beverage portfolio. PepsiCo will place several thousand units throughout the U.S. in 2016 in a variety of locations, including select healthcare, recreational, transportation, governmental, workplace and educational facilities.

PepsiCo’s state-of-the-art food and beverage vending initiative called

The Hello Goodness vending machine — which will also be available in a beverage-only version — features a thoughtfully chosen selection of PepsiCo products such as such as Naked Juice, Smartfood Delight popcorn, Lay’s Oven Baked potato chips, Quaker Real Medleys bars, Pure Leaf iced tea, Propel Electrolyte Water, Tropicana Pure Premium and Sabra Ready-to-Eat Hummus cups.

The Hello Goodness vending machine also goes beyond traditional vending machines in the market and:
•Features a digital point-of-sale touch screen with product nutritional information
•Suggests food and beverage pairing ideas for different eating occasions throughout the day
•Is smart equipment, giving PepsiCo real-time consumer preference insights to further inform future offerings
•Contains dual climate-control shelving, allowing both perishable and non-perishable items to be easily vended together at the correct temperature
•Allows for cashless and digital vending

“Consumers want more choice when it comes to what they eat and drink on-the-go and we’re providing the choices they want,” said Kirk Tanner, chief operating officer, PepsiCo North America Beverages. “For years, PepsiCo has been transforming its portfolio to offer more and better food and beverages. We’re continuing this journey with our new Hello Goodness vending initiative, which brings together the power of our brands and our expertise in design, category management and equipment innovation expertise.”

For an image of the Hello Goodness vending machine, visit here.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2014, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our vision to deliver top tier financial performance over the long term by integrating sustainability into our business strategy, leaving a positive imprint on society and the environment. We do this in part by offering a wide range of products; increasing the number of our nutritious foods and beverages; reducing our environmental impacts; and supporting our employees and the communities where we do business; all of which will help position the company for long-term sustainable growth. For more information please visit www.pepsico.com.

Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, today announced that it will transition to using only cage-free eggs in all of its U.S. food products within the next five years. The move represents yet another example of Nestlé’s commitment to the health, care and welfare of animals raised for food.

Nestle Announces Cage-Free Eggs
Nestlé uses approximately 20 million pounds of eggs annually to help create some of America’s most beloved food brands, including Häagen-Dazs®, Dreyer’s and Edy’s® ice creams, Nestlé® Toll House® cookie dough and Buitoni® pasta. Eggs are also an important part of Lean Cuisine® and Stouffer’s® popular breakfast items.

“Our products are in the fridges and pantries of socially-conscious consumers across the United States, and we share their belief in the importance of responsibly-sourced ingredients,” said Paul Grimwood, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA. “The move to using exclusively cage-free eggs is one more way that we’re responding to consumers and establishing a precedent for farm animal welfare.”

The pledge to use exclusively cage-free eggs in the U.S. by 2020 builds on Nestlé’s significant commitment on farm animal welfare, launched in 2012 and strengthened in 2014. As part of this commitment, the company outlined its plan to eliminate specific farming practices, like tail docking for cattle and pigs, gestation crates for pigs and veal crates. Nestlé works with World Animal Protection, a global animal welfare organization, and SGS to assess its suppliers against these commitments.

“We are proud to partner with Nestlé who are listening to their customers’ concerns and putting animal welfare at the forefront of their purchasing power,” said Martin Cooke of World Animal Protection. “They are taking a responsible approach to their sourcing of eggs, which will ultimately improve the lives of millions of hens. Major food companies like Nestlé have the power to bring about positive change at every level of the supply chain.”

Nestlé is developing pilot projects with its suppliers and World Animal Protection to establish a roadmap for sourcing cage free eggs in Europe and the rest of the world.

About Nestlé in the United States
Nestlé in the United States is committed to being a trusted leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Our diverse portfolio of food and beverage products provide nutritious options for every member of the family, including infants, toddlers, teens and adults, mature adults, and dogs and cats. Nestlé in the U.S. consists of eight main businesses: Nestlé USA, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Nestlé Waters North America, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Professional, Nespresso, Nestlé Skin Health and Nestlé Health Science. Together, these companies operate in more than 120 locations in 47 states and employ over 51,000 people. The United States is Nestlé S.A.’s largest market with combined product sales in the United States totaling more than $26 billion in 2014.

At Nestlé, we believe that for our business to prosper in the long term, we must create value for our employees, customers, stakeholders, consumers and the communities where we live and work. Nestlé embeds Creating Shared Value (CSV) into every part of its business, from nutrition and wellness to environmental sustainability and responsible sourcing. Read more about Creating Shared Value.

About World Animal Protection
World Animal Protection is a global animal welfare organization active in more than 50 countries. From their offices around the world, they work with businesses, governments, local partners and animal welfare organizations and have formal relationships with inter-governmental agencies. They seek national and international policy change to improve the lives of millions of animals, because animal protection is a fundamental part of a sustainable future.

WASHINGTON, – This year, millions of rural businesses and families were positively impacted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments in their communities. Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a list of USDA’s top achievements in 2015, demonstrating USDA’s efforts to help farmers and ranchers bring their products to tables domestically and abroad, build critical infrastructure in America’s rural areas, conserve our nation’s natural resources through long-lasting partnerships, and continuously work toward improving the lives of all Americans.

“Since 2009, USDA has focused significant and targeted investments in America’s rural communities to bring transformative change. Last year, those investments blossomed across the United States with substantial results in the burgeoning bio-economy, an exploding local and regional food system, unparalleled investments in renewable energy, improved nutrition interventions for young people, historic partnerships in conservation and greenhouse gas reduction, and major contributions in rural infrastructure, among some. Even with challenges in 2015, including an unprecedented animal disease outbreak and lower commodity prices, America’s rural communities have proven once again that we are a nation of makers, creators and innovators, and our economy and security are stronger because of it. As we look to 2016, USDA will continue to seek out new and innovative ways to expand opportunity for America’s farming families and rural communities,” said Vilsack.

USDA invites all Americans to take a look back at 2015 through our archived In Case You Missed It series. Posted weekly, the In Case You Missed It report tells the stories of rural Americans who are working to meet ever-changing challenges, paving the way to empower future leaders to meet the world’s growing food, fuel and fiber needs, and continuously adapting and evolving to ensure American agriculture remains a leader throughout the world.

Here is a list of USDA’s top outcomes in 2015:

Agriculture and Trade
Delivered nearly $200 million to help poultry producers recover, and spent nearly $1 billion total in response to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak.
Achieved $139.7 billion of agricultural exports, the third-best year on record. Ensured passage of Trade Promotion Authority, and helped to complete negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Enrolled 1.76 million farmers in the new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs by conducting an unprecedented educational campaign. The program has provided $4.8 billion in financial help to more than 900,000 farms that experienced a $20 billion drop in revenues during 2015.
Helped 6,600 small, underserved and new farmers obtain credit through popular microloan program (16,000 since 2013), with 70% issued to new farmers.
The Value Added Producer Grant program, one of our most successful and effective drivers in helping agricultural producers grow their businesses, had another strong year, awarding $43.9 million for 363 grants that assisted 2,659 businesses and 2,548 farmers.
Announced that Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Insurance will be available in every county in 2016.
Supported nearly 10,000 farms and ranches, food entrepreneurs and communities through local food-related projects. Over 6,000 farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers are now authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, more than five times the number in 2009. Between FY09 and FY14, USDA invested more than $800 million in more than 29,100 local and regional food businesses and infrastructure projects. As a result of our support, the market for local food has grown to an estimated $11.7 billion in 2014 from $5 billion in 2008.
Reached a record 19,474 certified organic operations in the United States.
Developed the first Process Verified Program claim for non-GMO/GE food products.
Launched www.usda.gov/newfarmers, an interactive web tool designed to connect new farmers with programs and resources.

Anti-Poverty Efforts and Nutrition
Launched 10 employment and training pilot projects to help SNAP participants find and keep gainful employment.
Announced 97% of schools successfully meet the updated, science-based nutrition standards for school meals under Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act.
Reached more than 8.1 million kids with healthy meals through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Total breakfast participation increased by more than 3 million students since 2008. CEP has been successfully implemented in over 14,000 schools and has led to a 9% increase in school breakfast participation and 5% increase in school lunch.
USDA’s StrikeForce initiative has expanded to include 880 counties, parishes, boroughs, and census areas in 21 states and Puerto Rico. In 2015, in StrikeForce target areas, USDA partnered with more than 1,000 organizations to support 56,600 projects that directed more than $7.5 billion in investments to the poorest places in rural America.
Named first 10 rural and tribal communities to participate in Rural IMPACT demonstration programs. Rural IMPACT helps communities adopt a two-generation approach to addressing the needs of vulnerable children and parents, with the goal of increasing parents’ employment and education and improving the health and well-being of children and families.
In partnership with the University of Kentucky, announced establishment of the USDA Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center at the University of Kentucky in Lexington to reduce child food insecurity in states with the highest number of persistently poor rural counties.
In 2015, USDA and our partners served 190.6 million meals to low-income children during the summer months when school meals are not available. Since the summer of 2009, USDA has increased the number of summer meals served by 16.1% . Since the beginning of the Obama Administration, USDA has served a total of 1.2 billion summer meals.

Cost Savings and Process Improvements
Achieved $1.4 billion in savings, efficiencies, and cost avoidances since 2012 and saved more than 290,000 USDA staff hours through signature process improvements in the past year alone.

Climate Change
Announced 10 Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry, which, by 2025, will reduce net emissions and enhance carbon sequestration by the equivalent of taking 25 million cars off the road.
USDA and EPA set the first-ever national food waste reduction goal of 50 percent by 2030 in an effort to reduce the amount of wasted food in landfills producing methane emissions that fuel climate change.

Global Food Security
Feed the Future reached nearly 19 million households and helped nearly 7 million farmers gain access to new tools and technologies. New data demonstrate that, through Feed the Future and other U.S. Government efforts, childhood stunting rates have declined in Ethiopia, Ghana, and parts of Kenya by between 9 and 33 percent in recent years, while areas in Uganda have seen a 16 percent drop in poverty.
In 2015, the McGovern-Dole Program benefitted 2.5 million children in Africa and Central America.

Conservation and Forestry
Through an unprecedented voluntary conservation effort with landowners, the greater sage-grouse no longer needs Federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Increased the pace and scale of forest restoration by nine percent since 2011 and increased timber harvest by 18 percent since 2008, despite record droughts, longer wildfire seasons, and the increasing percentage of the budget spent fighting wildland fires. In 2015, 2.87 billion board feet were harvested and sold.
USDA’s overall investment in drought disaster relief and long term conservation practices exceeded $1.2 billion in 2015.
Provided $3 million in funding to support the development of tall wood demonstration projects in New York and Portland, Oregon.
Leveraged $800 million to 115 high-impact conservation projects across the nation through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
As of September 2015, 24.2 million acres were enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). CRP also is protecting more than 170,000 stream miles with riparian forest and grass buffers, enough to go around the world 7 times. This year marks the 30th anniversary of CRP. Since 1985, the program has sequestered an annual average of 49 million tons of greenhouse gases, equal to taking 9 million cars off the road; prevented 9 billion tons of soil from erosion, enough to fill 600 million dump trucks; and reduced nitrogen and phosphorous runoff by 95 and 85 percent, respectively.
USDA invested $20.5 million through the Conservation Innovation Grants program for 45 projects, including efforts to increase habitat for pollinators, develop new ways to attract private investment in natural resource conservation, give agricultural producers greater access to greenhouse gas markets, and help farmers and ranchers make their operations more resilient to climate change.
Independent study by Mississippi State University found efforts to create migratory bird habitat on more than 470,000 acres in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill provided significant benefits to ducks, geese and other birds. Following the spill, USDA worked with farmers and landowner to create wetlands and winter habitat for migratory birds.
Invested $30 million this year in 33 new projects and 40 existing projects to improve water quality in high priority watersheds the Mississippi River Basin.

Energy and Bioeconomy
Made available $100 million in grant funds, with matching funds from state and private partners, which will provide $210 million to nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply American-made renewable fuels, such as E15 and E85.
Issued a report that examines and quantifies the effect of America’s biobased products industry from an economics and jobs perspective. The report notes that in 2013 alone, that industry contributed four million jobs and $369 billion to the U.S. economy.
The BioPreferred Program now has more than 14,000 biobased products listed in its online catalog and, to date, more than 2,400 products are certified to use the BioPreferred label.
USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program provided 1,945 projects with a total of $82.9 million in grants and $161.2 million in loan guarantees, the largest funding level in the history of the program.
Made one conditional commitment through the 9003 program to a biorefinery in New Orleans.
Through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, USDA provided assistance to 890 growers on 49,000 acres for costs associated with harvesting and transporting agriculture or forest residues to facilities that convert biomass crops into energy.
Research projects funded through NIFA’s Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) is leading to the development of economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass. Projects include a grant to Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. in Findlay, Ohio, which is working to use remaining plant residue from the guayule shrub for rubber production.

Food Safety
Developed the first-ever Salmonella standard for chicken parts, which will reduce illnesses by about 50,000 annually.
Unveiled a National Action Plan designed to advance the appropriate use of antibiotics in food animals and promote collaborations among partners in medicine, veterinary medicine, and public health.
Launched the Foodkeeper App, which helps reduce food waste by showing users how to store foods properly and reminding them to use items before they are likely to spoil.

Rural Development
Made the first investments through the $10 billion Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund and the first Rural Business Investment Company, both launched in 2014. Established two additional RBICs in 2015.
Provided new or improved high-speed internet access to nearly 6 million rural Americans through investments made by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Announced $3.4 billion in funding to build or improve more than 15,277 miles of transmission and distribution lines for rural electric cooperatives and utilities, including $134 million in Smart Grid Technology.
Funded $1.8 billion in Community Facilities projects over the course of fiscal year 2015. Since 2009, USDA has awarded $9.7 billion under its Community Facilities programs, including $4.9 billion for 1,052 health care projects; $266 million for improvements to 206 public schools; $133 million for 555 libraries; $39 million for 240 day care centers; and $791 million to support 4,876 public safety facilities in rural areas. Through investments made through its Community Facilities programs, over the past two years, USDA has provided more than $213 million to support 80 rural mental health facility projects in 34 states.

Research
Supported the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research in its effort to provide awards to support the next generation of agricultural scientists.
In 2015, USDA’s intramural researchers executed 35 licenses, issued 73 patents, filed 114 patent applications, and released 50 new cultivars and enhanced germplasm lines. USDA’s funding to extramural entities in 2015 led to 20 new issued patents, seven plant variety protections, 11 patent cooperation treaty applications, 36 non-provisional patent applications and 22 provisional applications.
Transformative innovations that can be found in USDA’s 2014 Technology Transfer Report include: Procedures to remove up to 98-percent of the allergens from peanuts without affecting the flavor; A portable method for identifying harmful bacteria in food that could improve the response to foodborne illness outbreaks; A new soil nitrogen test that rapidly and inexpensively determines the total amount of nitrogen in the soil that is available to a plant, reducing costs for farmers while benefiting the environment.

Civil Rights
To address long-standing allegations of past discrimination, we settled large-scale class-action lawsuits with Native American and African American farmers and ranchers and established a voluntary claims process for women and Hispanic farmers and ranchers, providing payments of more than $2.5 billion combined and over $118 million in debt forgiveness.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a significant jump in ethanol exports to China this year, following a USDA-led trade mission to the country last year. Representatives from nine state departments of agriculture and 28 U.S. companies, including renewable fuels businesses, traveled to northeast China to explore opportunities for trade in the region.

China is the largest market for U.S. food and farm products – U.S. agricultural exports to the country tripled over the last decade, now accounting for nearly 20 percent of all foreign sales of U.S. agricultural products.

“Our objective for every trade mission is to create new markets for farm products made in rural America,” said USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse, who led the mission. “U.S. ethanol exports to China have jumped from $8 million to more than $86 million since our May 2014 visit. In October, we exported more ethanol to China than in the previous 10 years combined.”

Scuse led the delegation to promote U.S. agriculture, and explore the role that renewable fuels might play in China’s long-term clean energy strategy. The delegation met with gasoline companies, fuel blenders, oil companies, commodity traders, and government officials to promote the benefits of using higher ethanol blends. During October, the U.S. exported 32.5 million gallons of ethanol to China, valued at $57 million, or 46 percent of total U.S. ethanol exports for the month. Previous U.S. exports of ethanol to China averaged less than $3 million annually from 2005 to 2014.

Earlier this year, USDA partnered with 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide, expanding the ethanol refueling infrastructure by nearly 5,000 pumps, a $210 million investment that will give consumers access to clean, American-made biofuels, and provide more choices at the pump.

“These are the kind of initiatives that strengthen our rural communities, and open new doors and help our farmers and ranchers capitalize on the tremendous export potential for American agricultural products,” said Scuse.

The past seven years have represented the strongest period for American agricultural exports in the history of our country, with U.S. agricultural product exports totaling $911.3 billion between Fiscal Years 2009 and 2015. In fiscal year 2015, American farmers and ranchers exported $139.7 billion of food and agricultural goods to consumers worldwide. Not only that, U.S. agricultural exports supported more than 1 million American jobs both on and off the farm, a substantial part of the estimated 11.7 million jobs supported by exports all across our country. Record agricultural productivity and exports are one example of how USDA has helped to bring transformative change to Americans living, working and raising families in rural America.