Agribusiness Update for Thursday 05/29/14

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow announced the launch of a new era in American conservation efforts with a focus on public-private partnership through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Private companies, local communities and other non-government partners now have a way to invest in what are essentially clean water start-up operations. Funds through the RCPP will be awarded competitively to conservation projects designed by local partners for their regions - including private companies, universities, nonprofits, local governments, tribal governments and others. A total of 2.4-billion dollars will be available over five-years through this program.

USDA has unveiled a new addition to its My Plate website called Healthy Eating on a Budget. Although healthy foods aren't always more expensive - many low-income people face time and resource challenges when it comes to putting healthy food on the table. USDA believes consumers who visit this new section of Choose My Plate dot gov will learn ways to plan, purchase and prepare healthy meals.

That's today's Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.