This nation is currently confronting the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression - and rural communities are feeling the effects the same as any other. Even so, we know that rural America faces a unique and diverse set of challenges - and opportunities.
Secretary Vilsack spent yesterday afternoon highlighting and discussing those opportunities for rural America at the 16Th Annual National Association of Seed and Venture Funds Conference (NASVF). The NASFV is a global non-profit organization that promotes investments in seed and early-stage companies - and they have rural America in their sights.
Non-profit organizations and other private entities provide great opportunities for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to form public-private partnerships to help rebuild and revitalize rural America. Many people do not realize the immense scope of programs and assets available at the USDA. From the Cooperative Extensions at land grant universities to Community Facility Grants to Business and Industry Loans, USDA stands ready to work hand in hand with the private sector to bring new economic opportunities to rural America.
At the NASVF conference, we learned of a plan in Southeastern Oklahoma that would link schools in four counties to locally produced food. This plan in Oklahoma is an example of the type of opportunities we are building with the launch of USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative. 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' is marshalling resources from across USDA to help create the link between local production and local consumption. Our goal is to confront challenges of local food distribution with support for processing, storage, and shipping facilities from RD CF and B&I funding and grants. And we will simplify procurement processes to break down barriers that are preventing institutional buyers from connecting with local producers.
By fostering new initiatives of this nature, we can create new economic opportunities, encourage rural entrepreneurship and job creation and ultimately spur wealth creation in rural America.
