Latest Tom Vilsack News

Today in History: December 13, Saddam Hussein captured in Iraq

Dec. 13, 2024 00:02 AM EST

Today is Friday, Dec. 13, the 348th day of 2024. There are 18 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 13, 2003, Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. forces while hiding in a hole under a farmhouse in Adwar, Iraq, near his hometown of Tikrit. Also...

USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus

Dec. 06, 2024 17:25 PM EST

The U.S. government on Friday ordered testing of the nation's milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. Raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16, the Agriculture Department...

Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretaries

Nov. 23, 2024 17:12 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. ...

USDA bans school lunch fees for low-income families

Nov. 05, 2024 14:16 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that students eligible for free or reduced price school meals cannot be charged processing fees beginning in 2027. School districts currently work with processing companies to offer cashless payment systems for families....

US to hand over pest inspections of Mexican avocados to Mexico and California growers aren't happy

Sep. 24, 2024 22:35 PM EDT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — California avocado growers are fuming this week about a U.S. decision to hand over pest inspections of Mexican orchards to the Mexican government. Inspectors hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been guarding against imports of avocados infected with...

The Clintons pitch philanthropic commitments as pro-democracy work at their 2024 foundation meeting

Sep. 24, 2024 21:22 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — With the backdrop of elections worldwide that highlight strains on democracy, former President Bill Clinton urged attendees of his foundation's annual meeting to meet their communities' needs through collective action. Strong democratic institutions, Clinton argued,...