On June 30th, President Barack Obama launched the Rural Tour, an effort to engage in a more robust dialog with folks living in rural America.

Today, our communities, big and small, are struggling. And the challenges ahead are even greater.

Government does not have all the answers but it can help share innovative ideas and problem-solving techniques from communities with the rest of the country.

Building a foundation for success and prosperity for the new, 21st century economy will take a collective and collaborative effort with all of us talking, debating and solving, together.

President Obama asked me to lead this effort. So far we have held more than a dozen forums with Secretaries from the Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, as well as local elected officials from the areas to which we travelled.

We won't make it to every town in America but that does not mean we do not want to hear from you. On this website you will find information about where we have been and are going, as well as ways you can communicate your ideas to us and others visiting this site. Call, email, write, videotape, photograph, you name it.

We want to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time.

     Secretary of Agriculture,
     Tom Vilsack

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