Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack telling a House Ag. Committee hearing that the U.S. food system would be more resilient if there were more local and regional markets and more local food processing operations.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack telling a House Ag. Committee hearing that there are many opportunities for rural areas to flourish, if the right help is offered.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack telling a House Ag. Committee hearing that he hopes lawmakers will join USDA in helping to bring more economic opportunitiy to rural areas.

Matt Smith of the National Agroforestry Center discusses some of the reasons landowners practice some form of agroforestry.

A new USDA survey on agroforestry practices is expected to garner results that can be used by the Department's National Agroforestry Center. (Rod Bain and Matt Smith of the National Agroforestry Center)

Matt Smith of the National Agroforestry Center discusses how the upcoming National Agroforestry Survey will benefit research and extension efforts.

Over one billion dollars will go to rural community facility projects nationwide via USDA Rural Development programs. (Rod Bain. Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh. Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres-Small.

Several recently funded Rural Development Community Facilities Projects are supported by a mix of RD funding vehicles. (Rod Bain and Washington State Rural Development Director Helen Price Johnson)

Changes made last year to the USDA's Conservation Reserve Program may attract more producers to enroll more land this year. (Gary Crawford and Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator of USDA's Farm Service Agency)

The Grassland Conservation Reserve Program has proven very popular for several reasons. (Gary Crawford and Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator of USDA's Farm Service Agency) ***Broadcasters--USDA this week announced signup dates for the program, April 4 -May 13.***