When it Won't Stop Raining

It was standing room only as folks gathered on this rainy day in the metal machine shed on Jim Hundstad's farm near Aberdeen, South Dakota. Altogether, more than 300 farmers gathered with Secretary Tom Vilsack for a Rural Tour community forum.

As the event began, the gentle rain on the roof of the machine shed was an unfortunate reminder of the challenges that local farmers are facing. An abundance of rain through the past nine months has resulted in flooding, with water standing in fields. Farmers have faced inordinate difficulty in working the land.

But in other ways, the thoughts and concerns discussed were similar to those discussed at 22 previous forums that have been held in states across the country.

Local pork producers asked what USDA was doing to help. Dairy producers inquired how the Department might support farmers after Congress finalizes provisions of $350 million in support for the industry. Crop producers asked how crop insurance and conservation programs were being retooled following the 2008 Farm Bill.

Secretary Vilsack and Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin provided thoughtful answers to a wide-range of questions from the audience.

A few hours earlier in the day, Secretary Vilsack was briefed by the Congresswoman and local officials about the devastating flooding. The Secretary pledged a quick and thorough review of declaring neighboring counties as disaster areas, thereby enabling local producers to qualify for disaster aid from USDA.

As we drove off the farm and onto the highway, the gray skies, soggy soil and puddles throughout fields were a stark contrast to other parts of the country where producers are struggling with drought-like conditions.

Whether producers face flooding or drought, feast or famine, the leadership of USDA is listening to producers in every corner of the country to help address local challenges.

Permalink  |  Posted at: 03:19PM Oct 06, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Pride and Diversity in New Mexico Farming

Yesterday Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack continued President Obama’s Rural Tour with his 21st stop in New Mexico. This stop while similar to the previous stops stood out in two key areas. In a morning meeting with the Latino farmers in the town of Mesilla, N.M. the Secretary heard first hand the importance of addressing the wrongs of the past in regards to the USDA and civil rights issues. And to this, the Secretary responded that he is ready to take on the responsibility of closing that chapter in our history and creating new opportunities for American farmers and ranchers of all backgrounds and cultures.

But the day was also notable because of the hard work and pride of the farming and ranching community of rural New Mexico. You see, unlike many states and parts of the country, the agriculture sector in New Mexico is growing. Five years ago, there were approximately 15,000 farms in New Mexico. Today, there are over 20,000 farms and the number is growing. Pistachios, grapes, dairy, avocados, and grains are just a sampling of the agriculture products coming out of the state. The agriculture sector today accounts for $2.1 billion in the state economy, also up from five years ago.

As Sharon Lombardi, Executive Director of the Dairy Producers of New Mexico made clear, times are tough and the challenges are numerous, but here in New Mexico they are determined to move forward. They are determined to preserve the rural communities that are the heart and soul of the nation. They are determined to make it work. And here at the USDA, we are determined to stand beside them and do what we can to help them achieve those goals.

Permalink  |  Posted at: 12:17PM Oct 01, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

In the Shadow of Scottsbluff

Scottsbluff, Nebraska is a location many of us have never been to but it is a place many of us have heard of thanks to history class and the popular educational computer game “The Oregon Trail.” In the mid 1800s many Americans knew of Scottsbluff because it was a key destination along the Oregon, California, Morman, and Pony Express Trails. Scottsbluff was a welcoming site to those pioneers that braved nature and the elements to start a new life out west. It was a landmark that let them know that they were still on the path to their destination.



It is a fitting that today’s Rural Tour Community Forum sits in the shadow of Scottsbluff because as Secretary Vilsack has emphasized, we are on the path to a new day in rural America – a Rural Renaissance. Like the westward pioneers before us, we face challenges. As we work together to rebuild and revitalize our economy and communities, we can see Americans all across the country tapping into the same determination and ingenuity that carried our forefathers through their difficult times.

Here at the Rural Tour Community Forum, we have heard from farmers and ranchers that are ready to embrace the opportunities of the 21st green economy. One local rancher asked the officials in attendace – Secretaries Vilsack and Salazar, Senator Nelson, Governor Heineman, and Congressman Smith – to upgrade the electric transmission infrastructure in the state.

This rancher was eager to harness the abundant wind that blows across the plains and grasslands of Nebraska with turbines installed on his land. He explained that wind turbines would increase the income opportunities of his land.

This story is one of many we hear all over rural America – of Americans ready to apply their ingenuity, their innovation, and most of all, to get involved in the hard work of remaking America. Thank you Scottsbluff, you are a sign that we are on the right path.

Permalink  |  Posted at: 08:41AM Sep 29, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA  |  Add Your Comment Here [1]

Secretary Vilsack on the El Reno Rural Tour Stop

Last week I traveled to El Reno as part of President Obama’s Rural Tour to listen to Oklahomans about how the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Obama administration can work to rebuild and revitalize rural America.

I heard about the crushing cost of health care, concerns about schools, our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and climate change. The thoughts, ideas and concerns for the future I heard in El Reno were a reminder of the strength and optimism I have seen in communities throughout rural America.

What I didn’t hear in El Reno was an unwillingness to take on the challenges that face our nation, or doubt in the American spirit of innovation, progress and determination that has consistently propelled our country to greatness. Every Oklahoman I spoke with expressed a hope and optimism that we can build a stronger America as long as we reject the nay-saying that has become the status quo.

Simply put, the people I met said they are ready to embrace President Obama’s belief that the strength of our nation depends on a healthy and prosperous rural America. I met family farmers from Loyal, already benefiting from the increased income opportunities of sustainable farm practices. They were excited about the possibility that energy and climate change legislation will reward farmers, create a clean energy economy and reduce the threat of climate change.

I heard from individuals who were thankful for President Obama’s stimulus package that invested in critical infrastructure, stimulated local economies, created jobs and provided tax relief for 95 percent of America’s families. They are excited about our investments in broadband technology. And they are looking for health insurance reform that will provide security and stability for their families. It is clear that Oklahoma is ready to challenge the idea that we cannot change and is committed to moving the state forward.

Nowhere was this more evident than in questions and comments from the members of 4-H and FFA, youth educational programs. These youngsters represent part of Oklahoma’s future. I am confident that their passion and determination will help rebuild and revitalize your communities.

We’ve already begun by investing in our communities — education and nutrition, rural development and broadband, conservation and clean energy — with the Recovery Act. We must help rural communities create wealth so they are self-sustaining, repopulating and thriving economically. It means building a rural America with the opportunities that convince the young people I met that the small communities they grew up in are still the best place in the country to raise a family.

To accomplish these goals, we need your ingenuity, your innovation and most of all your involvement. That’s how change happens — because Americans from every corner of this country stand up and face the future unafraid. And if we summon that spirit now, I’m confident we’ll look back at this moment and know that we left our children an America even more vibrant and prosperous than the America we inherited from our parents.

Secretary Vilsack's commentary originally published in the Oklahoman

Permalink  |  Posted at: 10:52AM Sep 23, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]