6-7 FB Vilsack Rural Tour

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has asked the State Directors of Idaho’s Farm Service Agency and Rural Development to be available to discuss the Secretary’s Rural Tour, held in 22 states across the nation, with members of the media.

 The Obama Administration has released details about the National Rural Summit that was held recently in Hillsboro, Missouri. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, and the full USDA sub-cabinet were there to continue the conversation about ways to rebuild and revitalize rural America with agricultural leaders, farmers, ranchers and community leaders who attended the day-long event.

State Director of Idaho’s Farm Service Agency, Dick Rush explains specific goals for the meetings: “The Secretary and a number of national officials have spent a good part of this year talking to people about rural development. There’s 6 things that they’re keying on,  one is they’re building critical infrastructure.” The other areas included Expanding Opportunities for Rural Businesses, developing Renewable Energy and Biofuels,  increasing Farm Competiveness and Productivity, improving Forest Restoration, Rural Recreation and Private Land Conservation, and  discussing Regional Food Systems and Nutrition.