Tuesday Oct 06, 2009
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]
Wednesday Sep 23, 2009
Secretary Vilsack on the El Reno Rural Tour Stop
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]
Thursday Aug 20, 2009
Growing Farms for the Future in Iowa
Take for example Ryan Hoksbergen of Pella, Iowa. As Hoksbergen introduced himself to Secretary Tom Vilsack the forum, he said, "despite the negative news and stories, there is hope for the industry and for young people to get into farming, it is not all negative, I'm living proof."
You see, Ryan is 31 years old and was determined to build a successful farm operation. Not to be dettered by slumping milk prices and high input costs, in 2001 he started his dairy operation. Today, Ryan's determination and passion for working the land has grown his operation into a respectable working farm. With 70 milking cows on site and another 70 replacements, Ryan sees the future of great opportunity. He has recently expanded his farm to include corn and alfalfa with his sights on further growth.
It is stories like this that drive home one of the key points of revitalizing rural America. We have to keep young people and future generations in rural America but in order to do so we must show them that there is hope and potential in rural areas. For this reason we must continue to invest in our rural areas through infrastructure enhancement, broadband access, education, and health services. If we can create the opportunity, younger generations will provide the determination and passion that Ryan displays.
Permalink | Posted at: 11:02AM Aug 20, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA | Add Your Comment Here [0]
Wednesday Aug 19, 2009
From North Carolina: Resources for Local Farmer's Markets
Discussion at the Hamlet, NC rural tour stop ranged from technology to farming. There was a great question from a gentleman leading an effort to expand the accessibility and reach of the local farmer’s market and wanted to know what resources were available.Secretary Vilsack responds, “A lot of the wealth gets transferred out of the community. Wouldn’t it be better if you could give [resources] to local farmers? Seems to me like that would make a lot of sense.”
Watch the video:
Permalink | Posted at: 09:33AM Aug 19, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA | Add Your Comment Here [0]
