Are you a community-based organization or farmer in a rural community that faces persistent poverty, or just someone who wants to improve life in Rural America? Do you have questions on how you can partner with USDA to take advantage of community resources and promote economic development in your community?
On Monday, June 17, you are invited to join Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as he sits down to his very first Google+ Hangout to discuss opportunities available through USDA’s StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity. The Secretary will discuss USDA’s work to date and how YOUR community can get involved. We’ve assembled a panel of experts with different perspectives to help provide guidance and best practices for partnering with USDA – whether you want to apply for programs and services, or want to help communities and individuals benefit from available assistance.
Earlier this year, Secretary Vilsack launched the StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Economic Growth and Opportunity initiative, which targets rural areas of persistent poverty where USDA staff work with state, local and community officials to increase awareness of programs, target resources and leverage partnerships to promote economic development and job creation. The initiative is now operating in sixteen states in the Southeast, Southwest, Great Plains and Alaska.
Secretary Vilsack will participate in the virtual conversation that will be broadcast live on our USDA Google+ page as well as usda.gov/live. He will be accompanied by a panel of StrikeForce experts, recipients and coordinators who will help to answer frequently asked questions from around the country and provide guidance on how to sign up to be a part of the StrikeForce initiative in your community.
Submit questions in advance on Twitter using hashtag #AskUSDA or send questions to your StrikeForce coordinator.
Learn more about StrikeForce from this short film: