usda science

Crop researchers are hungry for data to feed their crop models. There is a wealth of historical data that’s inaccessible because today’s crop model software applications cannot easily interpret it. USDA’s National Agricultural Library (NAL) is working with the University of Florida and the Agricultural Research Data Network (ARDN) to solve this problem.

The transition between summer and fall marks another distinct season: Back-to-school. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and America’s farmers and ranchers are critical to preparing students for long school days – from pop quizzes to soccer practice. USDA is providing a back-to-school support kit to assist with menu planning as well as grants to help states develop new school meal recipes that feature local agricultural products.

A new technology from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) may become a key tool for dairy farmers to reduce their expenses and help limit pollution.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 5.8 million Americans aged 65 or older live with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is projected to nearly triple by 2060. Fortunately, USDA-funded research may have found a tasty way to slow disease onset.

Farming is hot! From sweet corn to watermelon and apricots to tomatoes, a lot is growing on the farm this summer. Millions of producers across our nation continue to work tirelessly to produce safe and delicious food. According to the latest Census of Agriculture, more than a quarter of these producers are new and beginning farmers, proving that many people are unable to resist agriculture’s magnetic appeal.

A team of USDA agricultural scientists in the Golden State are helping farmers make the most out of a natural resource that is becoming ever more precious – water.

Every May, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month. It’s a time to recognize and honor the contributions of the AAPI community to all aspects of American life, including agriculture.

The United Nations has dedicated 2021 to spreading the word about the importance of fruits and veggies.

Traditional foods, flavors, and cuisines offer a variety of healthy and delicious choices. Celebrate the cultural heritage of your family and friends with recipes and resources from Nutrition.gov, like these three nutritious meal ideas:

The Economic Research Service estimates that in 2010, America wasted approximately 133 billion pounds of food. That’s the equivalent of every American discarding three average-sized apples every day. Not the “apple a day” advice we’re used to hearing. Today, on Stop Food Waste Day, we’re sharing five examples of how USDA is using scientific ingenuity to curb food loss and waste.