people's garden

By Angie Harless, USDA Executive Master Gardener

By Ana Maria Silva, USDA Marketing Intern

Florida International University’s Organic Garden gained recognition from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the People’s Garden Initiative. FIU is a student-centered urban public research university that is locally and globally engaged.

Written by Jill Clothier, Iowa Earth Team Coordinator, USDA-NRCS

In 1999, Yreka High School in Yreka, California received funds from a Forest Service Grant (Partners in Flight Program) to enhance their agriculture and natural resource program and provide wildlife habitat on school grounds. These funds were used to build a songbird garden, purchase fencing, materials for an irrigation system, and a greenhouse structure. The students and instructors constructed the fence, irrigation system and the greenhouse.

Written by Sam Cuenca, District Wildlife Biologist, Region 5 Naturewatch Coordinator, Scott Salmon River Ranger District

USDA Rural Development can now be found on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/USDARD. By following us you will receive updates with the latest information about Rural Development’s mission areas, including more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs.  This is account is intended to widen our communication and outreach to the online community, and provide the public with the most current information on rural events, programs, success stories, answers to commonly asked questions, and more.

Stop by the USDA's People's Garden today from 10 am - 2 pm for Earth Day activities and exhibits:

By Secretary Tom Vilsack

On Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, Americans across the country will be taking time out of their busy lives to help improve the environment, and USDA is joining the effort.  From the mall in Washington DC, to the sands of New Mexico and plains of North Dakota, USDA employees are joining local residents at over 100 Earth Day events designed to encourage Americans across the country to take action.

Written by:  John A. Goolsby, Ph.D., Research Entomologist, Biological Control of Pests and Weeds  United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

Halloween has passed, but here in DC the fall leaves are still beautiful despite all the rain we’ve been having--and last Friday USDA had a great end of season party.