NEWS RELEASE – USDA Advances Rural Water Resilience with New Fiv e-Year Circuit Rider Contract to National Rural Water Association

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NEWS RELEASE

USDA Advances Rural Water Resilience with New Five-Year Circuit Rider Contract to National Rural Water Association

(Washington, D.C., May 7, 2026) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service announces it is awarding the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) a five-year contract for the Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Program.

“The renewal of the Circuit Rider contract is an achievement that speaks to the strong partnership between NRWA and USDA,” said USDA Rural Utilities Service Assistant Administrator Michele Brooks. “Circuit Riders are often the first line of defense for small, rural water systems, and their unwavering support builds a lasting impact on each community they serve. We eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration to provide access to clean, safe drinking water across rural America.”

NRWA is a non-profit organization operating nationwide to train and support water and wastewater professionals who work in and serve rural and remote communities. The organization uses USDA’s Circuit Rider Program to ensure rural infrastructure is safeguarded and protected by personnel trained in the day-to-day operational, financial, or managerial needs specific to rural systems.

“Circuit Riders are an essential resource for our nation’s small and rural drinking water systems,” said NRWA Chief Executive Officer Matt Holmes. “The recognition by USDA Rural Development of our boots-on-the-ground experts throughout the country and the work they accomplish is truly gratifying. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the agency and to helping ensure small and rural communities have access to safe drinking water.”

Circuit Riders may help with regulatory compliance, water treatment, loan application and reporting, and more. This professional assistance is provided by NRWA in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Through the Rural Utilities Service, USDA provides hundreds of millions of dollars each year to modernize and build water and waste facilities in rural communities. These improvements are critical to ensuring the nation’s smallest communities enjoy resilient infrastructure, secure drinking water, and plan for future growth.

Questions about how you can access assistance in your state or area may be directed to your local USDA RD office or the National Rural Water Association State Association page.

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making RD’s investment data accessible to the public.

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, sign up at the GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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STAKEHOLDER NOTICE – Announcing Partnership with Auburn University to Implement Marketing Tours for U.S. Poultry

STAKEHOLDER NOTICE – Announcing Partnership with Auburn University to Implement Marketing Tours for U.S. Poultry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is awarding a $112,500.00 agreement to Auburn University to design and host a 2-week marketing program in the United States to educate international buyers from the Eurasian region on the superiority of U.S. poultry meat and arrange business connections between U.S. industry and Georgian buyers.

This award is being made following a competitive application process under an Interagency Agreement with State Department’s Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia to advance American agricultural interests in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia through a portfolio of projects called ‘Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation” (CADI).

The marketing program funded by this award will promote U.S. poultry exports to the country of Georgia and the region by educating foreign buyers on the superiority of U.S. agricultural products and arrange business connections with U.S. producers, processors, and exporters, opening doors and delivering results for U.S. exporters by giving them the opportunity to build relationships with international buyers and generate sales.

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USDA Accepting Applications for an Agribusiness Trade Mission to Australia

USDA Accepting Applications for an Agribusiness Trade Mission to Australia

Washington, D.C., May 4, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications through May 18 for an Agribusiness Trade Mission to Melbourne, Australia, scheduled for Aug. 30 – Sept. 3.

The mission, led by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), aims to expand export opportunities for U.S. producers in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. The trip takes place at the same time as the USDA-endorsed Fine Food Australia trade show, giving participants even more access to buyers in the region.

“With stable economic growth and proven demand for high-quality U.S. food in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, now is the time for U.S. agribusinesses to build on the growing momentum in this region, and bring that prosperity back home to the people and communities we serve,” said USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg.

In 2025, Australia ranked as the 18th-largest export market for U.S. agricultural products, totaling $1.69 billion, with consumer-ready goods – such as packaged snacks, wine, and fresh meats – accounting for 85% of that value. The same year, exports to New Zealand reached $620 million, with consumer-ready products making up more than half of the total.

USDA anticipates strong opportunities for many specific U.S. exports in the region, including:

Pork and beef products
Dairy products
Distilled spirits, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages
Fresh fruit and tree nuts
Baked and confectionery goods, cereals and pasta
Processed food products
Pet food

Throughout the mission, participants will connect directly with regional buyers through business-to-business meetings, networking events, in-depth market briefings and site visits led by regional experts.

To apply by the Monday, May 18, 2026, deadline, visit the Australia Agribusiness Trade Mission webpage.

This mission is just one of several USDA-led export promotion initiatives so far this year. USDA will announce application details for upcoming 2026 missions soon.

To learn more about USDA agribusiness trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

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Talking Conservation With Our Neighbors

April 29, 2026 | View as Webpage

If you garden for pollinators, there’s a good chance you already know how to reduce your own pesticide use, spot a native plant garden, and identify some common insects. However, your neighbors might not be on the same page yet. Introducing others to pollinator conservation is one of the most important things we can do, so we have put together tools to help you start the conversation.

How to Talk to Your Neighbors About Pesticides

It can feel difficult to convince others to use fewer pesticides, especially if they are not already interested in conservation. We have advice to navigate the conversation!

Learn more

How To Identify a Monarch Butterfly and Tell It Apart From Lookalikes

Monarchs are not the only orange-and-black butterfly out there. Telling them apart is easy once you know what to look for!

Learn more

Pollinator Habitat in Progress Sign

Many of you have asked for something temporary to help explain to your neighbors why your future pollinator habitat looks the way it does. This printable sign communicates that soon there will be an abundance of blooms!

Learn more

Upcoming events

April 30

Creating Habitat in Yards, Containers, and Other Tiny Spaces

Webinar

May 2

Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas Training Webinar – Kansas

Webinar

May 3

Missouri and Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas Protocols Training

Webinar

May 7

TSB Ag Field Day: Building Farm Resilience with Pollinator Habitat

Madera, CA

May 7

Montana Bumble Bee Atlas Training Webinar 2026

Webinar

May 9

New Mexico BBA Training Workshop – Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque, NM

View all events

The Xerces Society is a donor-supported nonprofit organization that protects our world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

Your tax-deductible donation will help grow and sustain that essential work.

Donation mailing address:

The Xerces Society

PO Box 97387

Washington DC, 20090-7387

Donation and membership questions:

membership

855-232-6639 (option 2)

Photo credits from top, left: Jennifer Hopwood, USFWS, Xerces Society

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This Earth Day, Help a Farmer Share Their Story

By Funding Labeling Grants for Farmers

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Dear Dennis,

Every product you purchase has a story of how it impacts the planet. But because of high costs for design updates, roadblocks at the processing plant, machinery or materials, putting a farm’s story on a label is often out of reach for the most sustainable farms.

This Earth Day, we’re asking you to help change that.

Last year, thanks to generous donors, A Greener World’s labeling grant program was launched and successfully supported 26 Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW producers in incorporating the AWA logo into their packaging—clearly showing their high-welfare, pasture-based farming practices. The response from our farmer network was tremendous—and the difference it made was real:

“The grant allowed us to get egg cartons with the labeling that truly [attracts] attention when at market or in advertising photos. We are very excited that we are currently redoing all of our Goat Milk Soap products labels to include the logo as well. We feel this will be a large benefit in helping us stand out in a saturated market.”

“This grant was more helpful than I had anticipated. The financial assistance helped me push past the hurdle of exploring and educating myself about what my needs were and solutions. I was able to be creative and find the best solution vs. just enough of a solution. I am grateful.”

Now, we need your support to replenish the fund so we can keep helping farmers share their story.

This year, our goal is to raise $12,500 to fund 25 more grants—supporting 25 more farmers and brands in getting the Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW logo onto their products and into the hands of consumers who are looking for it. Grants of up to $500 per operation help certified producers in the U.S. and Canada cover practical costs—label printing, branded packaging, processing plant label update fees, and more. At a time when farmers are struggling with increased costs, this grants means a lot.

Funding is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, which means every dollar you give today goes to work immediately.

When a farmer can proudly display the Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW logo, consumers can shop with confidence—knowing the product they’re choosing was raised with integrity, transparency, and genuine care for people, animals, and the environment.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

Thank you for being part of this community. Our work wouldn’t be possible without you.

Towards a greener world,

Katie Amos

Director of Communications & Outreach

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Make an Impact for Invertebrates this Earth Week

Can wildlife count on you

April 21, 2026 | View as Webpage

Make an Impact for Invertebrates this Earth Week

This Earth Week, we are reminded of the critical importance of conserving the planet that we call home. Butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, worms, bees, mussels, and snails are but a few of the millions of invertebrates at the heart of a healthy environment. The services they perform—pollinating, dispersing seeds, becoming food for wildlife, recycling nutrients, cleaning water—are critical to life on our planet, and without them, whole ecosystems would collapse.

To conserve invertebrates, we must protect biodiversity and address the climate crisis. Anyone who has attended one of my talks or read my writings has heard me mention natural climate solutions. These solutions involve conserving, restoring, or better managing ecosystems, including natural areas, farms, parks, or yards. The plants in these areas remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and enhance ecosystem resilience, helping plants, wildlife, and human communities adapt to climate change.

Below are a few examples of how natural climate solutions work.

Hedgerows provide habitat for wildlife—including flowers andnesting resources for pollinators—and are home to many birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Hedgerows also capture a tremendous amount of carbon from the atmosphere. Xerces has worked with farmers across the US to establish over 125 miles of beneficial hedgerows across landscapes.

Freshwater mussel beds are the coral reefs of rivers and streams. Living up to 70 years, they clean large volumes of water, stabilize sediments, and enhance carbon storage. Xerces’ work has led to major improvements in how mussels are conserved. In just a few years, more than 77,000 freshwater mussels were rescued in collaborations between Xerces, federal and state agencies, tribes, and other non-profits.

Xerces mobilizes communities to establish wildlife habitat by distributing free, climate-smart, pesticide-free, native pollinator plants (we call them habitat kits) to partners. These kits establish vital habitats to sustain pollinators, while capturing carbon, beautifying landscapes, and bringing nature to areas that need it most. Xerces has supported over 2,400 projects and given away over 550,000 plants to help pollinators and people. With additional funding, we hope to expand into new regions in the coming years.

In the last 25 years, Xerces has protected and restored over four million acres and improved management on tens of millions of additional acres. These protected, restored, and improved landscapes all help the little things that run the world.

Your passion for our shared mission is the fuel that keeps all of us at Xerces going. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Xerces today.

Sincerely,

Scott Black, Director

P.S. Conserving invertebrate habitat is the key to resiliency as the climate changes. Please consider giving back to this planet this Earth Week by making a tax-deductible gift to the Xerces Society.

The Xerces Society is a donor-supported nonprofit organization that protects our world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

Your tax-deductible donation will help grow and sustain that essential work.

Donation mailing address:

The Xerces Society

PO Box 97387

Washington DC, 20090-7387

Donation and membership questions:

membership

855-232-6639 (option 2)

Photo credits from top, left: Nancy Lee Adamson.

View email as webpage: https://campaignlp.constantcontact.com/em/1102968923571/b019ec8e-c062-4092-9fe0-b42752fcf515

The Xerces Society | 1631 NE Broadway Street, #821 | Portland, OR 97232 US

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Announcing the Awardees for the America First Trade Promotion Program

Washington, D.C., April 16, 2026 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service announced additional support for American farmers and producers through the America First Trade Promotion Program to help expand export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products.

Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, starting in fiscal year 2027, USDA will have an additional $285 million annually in supplemental funding that it will use to support flagship FAS market development programs like the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program. The AFTPP funding awarded today is a precursor to the funding provided under the Working Families Tax Cuts, providing important investment for USDA’s market development programs and building for successes to come.

“USDA’s market development programs have a proven record of delivering for our farmers, ranchers and producers,” said Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg. “Partnering with industry opens new doors for trade, strengthening our position in the global marketplace and advancing the Trump Administration’s priority of keeping American agriculture competitive, resilient and ready to meet growing global demand.”

One of USDA’s top priorities is creating new and better market opportunities for producers. This includes strengthening U.S. agriculture’s presence in existing markets and opening new market opportunities by ensuring that high-quality U.S. agricultural and food products reach all corners of the world. AFTPP provides the funding necessary to capitalize on the negotiated agreements with trading partners through increased market opportunities to sell the bountiful and exceptional U.S. agricultural products produced by our millions of hardworking American farmers, ranchers and producers.

FAS will provide funding to 55 nonprofit organizations and cooperatives through AFTPP. As part of the USDA market development program portfolio, AFTPP is designed to help exporters leverage these market opportunities and ensure continuity of relationships and trust. It is a complement to USDA’s other export promotion programs and will be an important resource to our key stakeholders before the Working Families Tax Cuts funding becomes available.

The list of awardees for the AFTPP can be found at https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/america-first-trade-promotion-program/aftpp-fy-2026-funding-allocations.

To learn more about AFTPP and other FAS programs, visit www.fas.usda.gov/programs.

AGW on The Natural List, Webinar on avoiding medicated feeds, New mag

plus the latest news from AGW farmers

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Dear Dennis,

Spring is in full swing, and there’s a lot happening across the AGW community. This newsletter highlights new educational resources—like the latest issue of Sustainable Farming, AGW on a webinar and podcast and certified farmers making headlines. Thanks for the work you do each day and for being part of this network.

AGW on The Natural List

AGW Executive Director Emily Moose speaks with Nancy Coulter-Parker of The Natural List podcast, breaking down why third-party certification is essential for brands navigating shifting consumer values around animal welfare and sustainability. In this episode, Emily explores what consumers actually expect, why third-party certifications matter more than ever, and how AGW helps brands stand out today. Listen now.

New Issue of Sustainable Farming

The Spring 2026 issue of AGW’s Sustainable Farming magazine has arrived, packed with essential insights for farmers and advocates of sustainable, high-welfare livestock production. This issue covers preparation for lambing, findings from Soil Health Institute data on impacts of regenerative grazing and soil health, labeling resources and a new article from Certified Regenerative by AGW Domaine Mirabeau on how they are using regenerative practices to adapt to a changing climate. Check out this great, free resource!

NEW Webinar: Avoiding medicated starter feed for your poultry and livestock- why and how

AGW’s Director of Compliance and Quality, Caitlin Aguilar, joined a Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) webinar discussing the whys and hows around avoiding medicated starter feed for poultry and livestock. Starter feeds often contain unnecessary animal drugs, and this webinar is designed as a resource for farmers to help explain the reasons to avoid unnecessary medications, what to look for on product labels, and other management strategies to prevent disease. Listen now.

Catch AGW Farmers on PBS

Beth and David Boesche-Taylor at Sirocco Ridge Farm in Henryville, IN were featured on a recent PBS The Farmer and the Foodie episode. It was an inspiring look at the care, skill, and intention behind their dairy —highlighting not just the goats and the milk, but the hands‑on stewardship that defines AGW farms. It’s a great watch for anyone who loves good food, farming, and real stories from the field. Watch the episode.

AGW in the News

HuffPost featured AGW in “Is ‘Pasture-Raised’ Chicken Worth The Price? Here’s The Truth.”

Wine Business featured Certified Regenerative by AGW in “Is Regenerative about to find its place in the sun?”

VT Digger featured Big Picture Farm in Townshend, VT in an Opinion piece entitled: “Vermont wrote its farmers out of conservation. It’s time to write them back in.”

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania featured Drager Farms in Marietta, PA in “Pennsylvania Invests $5.5 Million in Projects to Improve Regional Waterways, Help Farmers Increase Economic Output and Improve Environmental Health on Farms Throughout Chesapeake Bay Watershed” and Lancaster Online also featured Drager Farms in “Planting trees on East Donegal cattle pasture part of Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort.”

Sincerely,

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Dinner in the Meadow September 13th, 2026

Make sure you read about Grant Opportunity……

Earth Month for the Little Things

April 14, 2026 | View as Webpage

Every day is a great day to support invertebrates and their habitat⁠—but this upcoming Earth Day on April 22 is a reason to do something extra special. That might look like revamping your garden with the help of our pollinator-friendly native plant lists, taking the Pollinator Protection Pledge, or diving deep to learn how you can help monarchs and other threatened species in your area. The opportunities are endless, and we love to see what you accomplish!

For Pollinators’ Sakes, Don’t Spring into Garden Cleanup Too Soon!

Early spring garden cleanup can disrupt critical invertebrate habitat and leave pollinators out in the cold. Our guidelines will help you determine when cleaning up won’t bug the pollinators in your space.

Learn more

Wildlife on the Rocks: Providing the Rocky Habitats Bugs Need for Shelter

Rock piles and stone walls might seem like they take yard space away from plants, but these features are crucial to support a diverse wildlife community.

Learn more

6 Ways to Help the Monarchs

Monarchs, once abundant across North America, are now in decline due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, making their future increasingly uncertain. Xerces is mobilizing people across landscapes to protect and recover monarch populations.

Learn More

Upcoming events

April 16

New Mexico Bumble Bee Atlas Training Webinar

Webinar

April 23

Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas Training Webinar

Webinar

April 25

California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Training – San Simeon

San Simeon, CA

April 26

Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas Field Training: City Nature Challenge at Seven Islands State Park

Kodak, TN

April 26

California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Training – Los Osos, CA

Los Osos, CA

May 2

Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas Training Webinar – Kansas

Webinar

View all events

The Xerces Society is a donor-supported nonprofit organization that protects our world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

Your tax-deductible donation will help grow and sustain that essential work.

Donation mailing address:

The Xerces Society

PO Box 97387

Washington DC, 20090-7387

Donation and membership questions:

membership

855-232-6639 (option 2)

Photo credits from top, left: Candace Fallon, Deborah Seiler, Kailee Slusser / Xerces Society

View email as webpage: campaignlp.constantcontact.com/em/1102968923571/b156c016-1738-4ff7-8f8d-d1d1e0227b07

The Xerces Society | 1631 NE Broadway Street, #821 | Portland, OR 97232 US

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