As part of a flourishing partnership, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently hosted students from Columbia Heights Educational Campus (CHEC) in Washington, D.C., for what proved to be an action-packed shadowing day at USDA Headquarters.

From this local high school to the most remote rural areas, AMS is answering Secretary Tom Vilsack’s call to develop a diverse workforce by teaching students about careers in agriculture. Read more »

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and other USDA officials today dedicated the final component of the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH). The cutting-edge center provides laboratories, offices, animal space and administrative space for some of the nation’s top animal health scientists and researchers.

The dedication marks the completion of long-term project to consolidate three USDA units previously operated separately at Ames, resulting in better cost savings for America’s taxpayers and employing about 700 people. The NCAH is a cutting-edge center operating from a single campus with laboratories, offices, animal space and administrative space for some of the nation’s top animal health scientists and researchers.

The facility includes: the National Animal Disease Center, operated by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the National Veterinary Services Laboratory and the Center for Veterinary Biologics, operated by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

The crowd listens as officials dedicate the National Centers for Animal Health.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addresses the large crowd gathered for the dedication ceremony in Ames, Iowa.

Agricultural Research Service Administrator Ed Knipling, Research, Education and Economics Under Secretary Molly Jahns, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services John Clifford, APHIS Associate Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services Jose Diaz, and Marketing and Research Programs Under Secretary John Ferrell pose by the Ames, Iowa building dedication plaque at the end of the ceremony.