St. John's Parish hosts four Obama Cabinet members on Rural Tour

As you may have seen, it's been a busy week on the Rural Tour. Secretary Vilsack visited Wisconsin last Thursday, Virginia on Saturday, and yesterday met with three other members of the Obama cabinet in St. John's Parish, Louisiana to discuss a broad range of issues facing rural America.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Veterans' Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki joined Vilsack at an Army National Guard drill hall so packed with interested Louisianans, staff had to find more and more chairs leading up to the moment the event began.

The large crowd led to big lines to ask questions of the officials about a range of issues. Questions were focused largely on the need for health care reform, but also addressing housing costs, homeownership, and a variety of other issues facing Louisiana families. Because time didn't allow for every question, Sen. Mary Landrieu (also in attendance at the event) promised a follow-up forum to keep the discussion going.



The Rural Tour will continue on August 12, when Vilsack joins four other Cabinet members in traveling to Bethel, Alaska, where they'll focus on green jobs, a new energy economy, and climate change. Until then, you can stay tuned for updates at the Rural Tour Twitter Feed.

Permalink  |  Posted at: 08:03AM Jul 21, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA  |  Add Your Comment Here [2]

Secretary Vilsack and Secretary Chu discuss green jobs in Virginia

Secretary Vilsack visited Virginia today with Energy Secretary Steven Chu to discuss the many ways in which saving energy, developing green jobs and pursuing new biofuel alternatives will help to revitalize rural America.

This morning, Chu and Vilsack toured the Piedmont BioProducts plant in Danville, and discussed the refinery's cooperation with universities around the country to develop the work Piedmont is doing.

After a cheeseburger, the Secretaries headed to Buddy Mayhew's farm near Chatham, where this afternoon's Rural Tour event drew about 300 people interested in the Obama Administration's plans to create green jobs for rural communities across our nation. Plenty of questions, which has been the case at every stop on the tour and gives the Secretary a great platform to discuss the many ways USDA is touching people in states like Virginia every day, every way.

Vilsack later met with local biofuel manufacturers and local USDA employees. (USDA, in case you're wondering, isn't just in Washington -- a huge part of the revitalization and recovery effort is being led by thousands of USDA employees at the county and state levels, as well as by Foreign Agriculture Service officers posted around the world).

Stay tuned for some photos of this long, but very productive and educational, day. Meanwhile, USDA staff on the road with the Secretary are still Tweeting away as the afternoon goes on.

Permalink  |  Posted at: 03:11PM Jul 18, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Secretaries Vilsack, LaHood host Rural Tour forum in Wisconsin

Secretary Vilsack, accompanied by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, held a community forum in Wisconsin today to discuss economic development in rural America.

Vilsack met with local organic dairymen and Gov. Jim Doyle just before the Rural Tour forum at a county fair near La Crosse. Enjoying a bratwurst from the 4-H booth with the dairy farmers, local fair visitors and Gov. Doyle, Vilsack was able to discuss issues facing dairy in Wisconsin before heading to the forum.

Later in the day, he and Secretary LaHood led a productive conversation on the fairgrounds with a packed crowd. They discussed issues facing rural economic development, including new construction of rural roads and bridges, and emphasized an increased focus on providing broadband access to rural America. He also stressed a desire to involve Americans in the discussion.

"To overcome challenges and be successful in a new, 21st century economy, President Obama has asked that we reach out to people in rural communities across the country to listen, learn and facilitate problem-solving," said Vilsack. "It is critically important to hear the thoughts, concerns and stories about each community's vision for its future and to collect ideas about how USDA can better serve these communities."

Attendees were very forthcoming with questions; many were interested to hear news on "USDA Organic" certified dairy, and the role of the Obama Administration in assisting rural Wisconsinites.

The Rural Tour continues this weekend in Virginia and on Monday in Louisiana; be sure to read updates from throughout the events today on the Rural Tour Twitter feed.

Permalink  |  Posted at: 06:00PM Jul 16, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Food Safety and Farming Lead Conversation in Charlotte

Yesterday Secretary Tom Vilsack traveled to Charlotte, Mich. for his ninth rural tour stop where more than 500 local residents participated in a rural community forum lead by the Secretary. Senator Stabenow and Congressman Shauer also participated in the wide-ranging discussion of issues facing rural Michiganders. Food safety was on the minds of the community as well; from H1N1 influenza to an interest in increased collaboration at government agencies on food safety efforts.

As in recent community forums, issues facing dairy farmers were hot topics, and Vilsack emphasized USDA’s ongoing efforts to find ways to assist struggling dairy producers. We also heard a lot of interest from people seeking to start their own farmers markets or even to become a farmer.

One of the most meaningful moments from the forum was perhaps the most simple. After Vilsack said to the attending farming community, “We are connected,” someone stood and simply said, “Thank you.” He left with blueberries and cherrys grown in the area.

Permalink  |  Posted at: 08:09AM Jul 14, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA  |  Add Your Comment Here [1]