Agricultural News
National Summit of Rural America Promotes Secretary Visack's Vision to Change Rural America
Fri, 04 Jun 2010 8:05:07 CDT
Ag leaders, farmers, ranchers, community leaders and rural residents gathered at the National Summit of Rural America Thursday with Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to share ideas about rebuilding rural America. Vilsack talked about the challenges and opportunities facing the nation's rural communities and encouraged those in attendance to think daringly about the future. The framework for revitalizing and building a strong rural economy - according to Vilsack - entails promoting renewable energy production and strengthening farm income by increasing ag exports among other things. He says a strong American economy depends on a prosperous rural America. You can click on the Listen Bar below to hear audio coverage from the event through the reporting eyes of colleague Stewart Doan.
The National Summit closes the Rural Tour Vilsack led to 22 states last year where he and members of the Obama Administration had conversations with farmers, ranchers and rural community citizens. Vilsack states the Obama Administration is continuously looking to time-tested programs and new approaches to maintain a strong farm safety net for America's producers - which includes good-paying jobs - and to build a stronger rural economy for the 21st century so rural communities remain great places to live, work and raise a family.
At the National Rural Summit Thursday - Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of more than 22.5-million dollars through USDA's Value-Added Producer Grant Program for business development assistance and help in pursuing ag commodity marketing opportunities in 45 states and Puerto Rico. Recipients may use the funding for feasibility studies, business plans, working capital for marketing value-added ag products and for farm-based renewable energy products.
Those eligible for Value-Added Producer Grants include independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups. Vilsack says the grants will improve financial returns and help create jobs for agricultural producers, businesses and families across the nation. He says USDA is investing in farmers, ranchers and cooperatives to strengthen the economic foundation of rural America.
There were other programs that were announced at the Rural Summit yesterday in Missouri- For details on those programs- click here for the USDA webpages dedicated to the event in rural Missouri.
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