Biden has his hands full rebuilding a demoralized federal workforce

Mar 8, 2021
There are giant holes to fill, but also a huge pool of people with experience in government who are ready to go.
President Joe Biden tried to shore up federal employees’ morale even before his inauguration. He has substantial restaffing to do, but many former appointees are willing to serve again.
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Trade war means more donations to food banks

Nov 22, 2018
To blunt the pain of tariffs, the government is buying more than $1 billion in surplus food. Much of that will go to food banks.
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Rural America weighs the economic realities of proposed federal budget cuts

May 23, 2017
President Trump calls for the USDA to be cut by 21 percent. Rural areas have a lot of federal employment and funding at stake.
Goldendale, Washington, population 3,400, could be impacted by cuts to agriculture, environmental and other federal programs in President Trump's proposed 2018 budget.
Mitchell Hartman/Marketplace

A fund to invest more in rural infrastructure

Jul 24, 2014
The Department of Agriculture is partnering with the private sector to launch a new investment fund.

Tom Vilsack: Polar vortex relief 'won’t happen until we have a farm bill'

Jan 10, 2014
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack talks polar vortex, the farm bill, and food prices.