Glickman Announces $180 Million USDA Investment in Rural America,
  Agricultural Research
  
                                        Release No. 0007.00
  
                                Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
                                      andy.solomon@usda.gov
  
  
  GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES $180 MILLION USDA INVESTMENT IN RURAL AMERICA,
  AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
  
  WASHINGTON, January 10, 2000   Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
  today unveiled plans for $180 million in new USDA investments in
  projects aimed at boosting the rural economy, promoting agricultural
  research, and developing new agricultural products and practices for the
  future.  
  
       "In the best economy in generations, we must make sure not to
  leave rural America or our nation's family farmers and ranchers behind,"
  said Glickman.  "And the future of family farming in the United States
  depends on nurturing new practices, new products, and new markets."  
  
  Glickman awarded $60 million in Fund for Rural America research
  and economic development grants today.  The remaining $120 million will
  be distributed through a competitive grant process under the Secretary's
  new Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems.  Later this
  year, USDA will issue a request for proposals to solicit specific
  project proposals for the Initiative. The needs of small- and medium-
  sized producers will be a priority.  
  
  $20 million in Fund for Rural America grants will be shared over
  four years among the following projects   
       
                   The Center for Minority Land and Community Security, led by
            Tuskegee University, will help increase land retention,
            acquisition, and land-based economic development among African
            Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans. 
     
                   The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship, led by Cornell
            University, will assist entrepreneurs starting food manufacturing
            businesses and farmers trying to diversify.  
     
                   The National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management, led by
            North Carolina State University, will provide technical assistance
            and information about animal waste, while helping to lessen its
            environmental impact.
     
                   A Consortium for Site-Specific Resource Management, led by the
            University of Minnesota, will identify and expand the use of
            information systems that will help farmers more effectively manage
            natural resources.  
     
                   The National Resource Center for Rural People in Forest
            Communities, led by the Forest Trust of Santa Fe, New Mexico, will
            help forest-dependent communities participate in natural resources
            decision-making. 
     
    Glickman allocated the remaining $40 million from the Fund for Rural
  America as follows   
  
            $28 million for water and waste water disposal systems projects,
       which will support approximately $140 million in financing for
       about 200 projects in low-income rural communities; 
  
            $2.5 million for farm labor housing projects at three or four high
       priority locations; 
  
            $2 million for community facilities grants that may include
       health, child care, and emergency equipment facilities; 
  
            $1.3 million for business and industry loan guarantees, which will
       support about $40 million in loans, creating or saving
       approximately 1,600 jobs in rural America; and
  
            $1 million in Rural Business or Rural Business Opportunity Grants,
       which can help small, emerging businesses in rural area with
       technical aid and planning.  
  
     The Secretary's new $120 million Initiative for Future Agriculture
  and Food Systems promises to help address some of the most critical
  issues facing American agriculture.  The Initiative, authorized by
  Congress in 1998, will fund competitive research, education, and
  extension grants that focus on production agriculture, natural resource
  management, and consumer issues.  The Initiative's priorities include -- 
  
  
            Agricultural genomics and biotechnology risk assessment;
  
            Food safety and the role of nutrition in health;
  
            New uses for agricultural products, including biomass fuel
       sources;
  
            Natural resources management, pest management and precision
       agriculture; and
  
            Farm efficiency and profitability, with an emphasis on small- and
       mid-sized family farms.
            
  
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