There's a new approach to helping rural communities tap into federal resources. (Gary Crawford and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack)

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a Clarksdale, Mississippi meeting Wednesday with local community leaders, explaining one of the reasons why the new Rural Partners Network needed to be created.

Susan Rice, White House Domestic Policy Advisor, in a Clarksdale, Mississippi meeting Wednesday with local community leaders, explaining how the new Rural Partners Network will operate at the local level.

Those considering applications for USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity and Expansion Programs now have a network of technical assistance available. (Rod Bain and Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Mae Wu)

Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture Mae Wu discusses deadlines for Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity and Expansion grants and funding, as well as ongoing technical assistance for program applicants.

Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Mae Wu discusses a new technical assistance network for applicants of USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity and Expansion programs.

The Agriculture Secretary Wednesday announced a trio of Emergency Rural Health Care Grants and the diverse benefits they would provide to rural Mississippi residents. (Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack)

The country's topsoil moisture shortage continues to worsen. (Stephanie Ho and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)

For the nation's topsoil moisture picture, there is movement on both ends of the spectrum. (Stephanie Ho and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)

Some areas of the country have too much moisture, which is leading to planting delays. (Stephanie Ho and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)