USDA Links

USDA Homepage: http://www.usda.gov
USDA News and Information.

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Homepage: http://www.ams.usda.gov
News and Information for a variety of agricultural industries.

AMS Fruit and Vegetable Programs: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/fv
News and Information for the fruit and vegetable industry.

AMS News: http://www.ams.usda.gov/news/AMSv1.0/Marketnews
The latest news releases from the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL): http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool
Information about the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill), the 2002 Supplemental Apporpriations Act, and the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). The implementation of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for all covered commodities was delayed until September 30, 2008 until final rules containing definitions, requirements of consumer notification, product marking, and recordkeeping responsibilities became effective March 6, 2009.

Fresh Products Grading and Quality Certification: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fvstand.htm
Inspection and Grade Standards.

NASS State Statistical Offices: http://www.nass.usda.gov/
Link to state statistics from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The National Organic Program: http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOP/
Certifying Agents, Consumer information, Regulations, etc.

PACA: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMS1.0/paca
PACA News and Information.

PACA License Search: http://www.apps.ams.usda.gov/pacasearch/
Determine if a business is licensed under the PACA, by using this search engine.

USDA Farmers Markets and Local Food Marketing: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMS1.0/FarmersMarkets
Find farmers markets throughout the country.

USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory: www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl
Search the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.