The packages of raw beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli. were distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Nebraska.

The plan will take the Office of the Indiana State Chemist's pilot hemp program and transition it to one allowing for commercial hemp production.

In a recent multi-stop visit around the Midwest, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue told a group of Indiana farmers it will take billions of dollars on top of what has already been distributed.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and local unions representing 10 plants in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri joined with nonprofit consumer advocacy group Public Citizen to file the lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C.

Purdue University's Ag Economy Barometer showed farmers feel better about their prospects in June than they did earlier this year.

IPS provided snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables to thousands of students last year, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the district was misusing funds intended to reimburse school districts for free breakfasts and lunches.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released updated numbers Monday showing farmers planted more acres this spring than many private analysts expected.

The loan is among $181 million in financing the USDA is making to upgrade rural electric systems in 10 states.

All FSA offices shut down Dec. 28 and those staff were furloughed without pay. A few offices re-opened for limited hours and services on Jan. 17.

The state's Family and Social Services Administration says the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed it that those benefits must be distributed Wednesday as a one-time early benefit due to the ongoing government shutdown.