Rural Tour fostering a nationwide discussion on rural issues

Since the first event in June, we've been excited to see the Rural Tour generating really thoughtful conversation and debate on the issues facing rural America. At town hall forums across the nation, Secretary Vilsack and his counterparts across the government have met with large, sometimes overflow, crowds. They've been able to answer questions and engage in productive debate on the best ways to help rural America.

And, people are starting to notice:

Charlotte Observer: Civility and respect rule at bipartisan town hall meeting
Breaking a pattern of raucous encounters across the country, more than 600 people Monday attended a town hall meeting marked by civility, substance and even bipartisanship.

Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and Democratic U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell joined two Cabinet secretaries in fielding questions from an overflow audience at Richmond Community College.

PoliticsDaily: Tom Vilsack's Farm-Country Tour: A Different Kind of Town Hall
Health care town-hall meetings are certainly stealing the spotlight these days -- but they're not the only game in town. Mostly unnoticed, a quieter series of town halls is taking place on a different crisis: Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has embarked on a listening tour through rural America to hear about the problems facing farmers. And it's a good thing too, because back on the farm, all is not well.

On Wednesday at the Iowa State Fair, a group of farmers gathered from all over the state. Walking straight past the 1,000-pound squash, a 600-pound butter sculpture of a cow and the stand selling fried Milky Way bars, the farmers sat down to detail some of the problems they were facing to their former governor.

Quad City Times: Vilsack Returns To Iowa Fair, Talks About Rural Issues
Wednesday's rural issues forum at the Iowa State Fair featuring U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack lacked some of the fireworks that have accompanied health-care forums around the nation. This forum was more polite, with the former Iowa governor telling about the Obama administration's policies and farmers asking questions about specific programs, such as a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it would give borrowers more leeway to restructure loans.

This forum was more polite, with the former Iowa governor telling about the Obama administration's policies and farmers asking questions about specific programs, such as a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it would give borrowers more leeway to restructure loans.

Richmond County Daily Journal: Elected leaders touch on issues
The emerging green economy, school nutrition and healthcare were just some of the subjects discussed at a meeting that followed the White House’s Rural Tour event at Cole Auditorium Monday.

The four-person panel consisted of U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell and two Obama cabinet members: Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The purpose of the Rural Tour is to listen to the concerns of individuals in rural areas, and share what the administration is putting in place to answer those concerns. The meeting at Cole was scheduled to focus on education and workforce development.

Permalink  |  Posted at: 03:16PM Aug 20, 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]

Pennsylvania a Successful Kickoff to the Tour

We started off the day on Air Force Two, travelling with Vice President Biden and Secretary of Commerce Locke to Wattsburg, PA, to kick off President Obama's Rural Tour. As part of the tour, we made a major announcement about USDA and the Department of Commerce providing Recovery Act funds for broadband in unserved and underserved communities.

There were about 500 people at the event. Vice President Biden spoke passionately about the Obama-Biden Administration's commitment to helping rural America succeed - their efforts in the short time they have been in office have been immediate, comprehensive and bold.

Not only have they provided considerable resources and assistance to rural communities, their commitment to developing alternative energy sources, improving critical infrastructure and making broadband accessible to rural areas is significant.

After taking questions from the audience - most people were interested in the application process and the criteria for funding - the Vice President departed and we began our drive to Pittsburgh. En route, we stopped at Hank's Frozen Custard and a John Deere store to talk with more residents of the area. Afterwards we met with a group of dairy farmers to talk about important issues for their industry.

Many dairy farmers are struggling. I wanted to hear from them how we could be helpful and also, explain to them what we have done already to help the industry. In the last few months we have taken action to support these producers by providing Milk Income Loss Contract payments, donating surplus products to food banks and other feeding programs, and utilizing the Dairy Export Incentive Program to promote dairy exports. I stressed that we will continue to monitor the situation and work to support this important industry.

We finished up the night at the Pirates game where I was able to do Pittsburgh Radio Network for a few innings and share with listeners in my home town the many ways USDA impacts the lives of every American every day. Throwing out the first pitch was a lot of fun and it was great to be at the stadium on such a nice night.

All in all, the first stop of the Rural Tour was a success. I am continually inspired by the spirit and resolve of Americans and am looking forward to upcoming events.

Permalink  |  Posted at: 04:00PM Jul 02, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA  |  Add Your Comment Here [2]