The West Virginia Local Foods Initiative will help to encourage local farmers/producers to grow/produce food that can be incorporated into public school menus. Working with local West Virginia farmers/producers and small businesses along with school Food Service Directors, foods will be identified for purchase and linked to farmers/producers and small businesses that can provide those products. County School Food Authorities in all 55 counties will be able to secure foods and will be reimbursed for the cost of products that meet the program criteria.

Inspection Technology Evaluation (ITE) is the internal process the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) uses for the evaluation of technology for use in official grain inspection.  For this process, “technology,” includes instrumentation, equipment, and the associated methods for measuring grain quality factors.  “Factor” means a measurable grain quality attribute.  This evaluation process does not apply to the research and development effort before the technology is deemed fit-for-purpose; that is, the instrument or method has already been

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today launched a new training tool titled the “Poultry Picture Series” to provide a visual guide on poultry grading defect tolerances that impact product quality. The series, which is a supplement to the U.S. Classes, Grades, and Standards for Poultry, will be available as a spiralbound printed resource, a digital document, and as a web-based photo library.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of nine individuals to serve on the National Honey Board.  The appointees will serve three-year terms, effective immediately, through Dec. 31, 2025. One Importer Alternate will serve a two-year term, which expires Dec. 31, 2024.

Members appointed or reappointed are:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of four members to each serve three-year terms on the American Lamb Board. The terms begin January 2023 and end January 2026.

Newly appointed members are:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of one producer and an expert in finance and management to each serve as members on the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors. The newly appointed members will serve three-year terms from January 2023 to January 2026.

Newly appointed members are:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of four members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms, effective immediately, through Dec. 31, 2025.

The newly appointed members are:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of three members to serve on the Paper and Packaging Board. The appointees from the South Region will serve three-year terms beginning immediately to Dec. 31, 2025, and one appointee from the Rest of the U.S. Region will serve a one-year term beginning immediately to Dec. 31, 2023.

Members appointed are: