March 2010

Rural Development Continues its Long History of Support for Alaska by Funding a Recovery Act Water Project

Most Americans reading this blog have probably heard of Talkeetna, Alaska. Not only is it the primary air access point for climbers planning to scale Mount McKinley (Denali) but it is also a tourist stop on the Alaska Railroad, especially in the summer.

Talkeetna is unincorporated, but hundreds of Alaskans call it home and live there year-round. It has all the amenities you would expect in a small town, including a school, library, post office and a clinic. It also has community water and sewer service.

Bringing Biotechnology to the Developing World

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from the USDA's rich science and research portfolio.

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USDA Rural Development Recovery Act Project to Fund a West Virginia Bookmobile

Now, for an update on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding Raleigh County (West Virginia) Public Library in Beckley was awarded through the Rural Development Community Facilities program to obtain a new bookmobile. I had yet another opportunity to interview Gary Knapp, Bookmobile Driver and Librarian at the Raleigh County Public Library, in regards to this project.

High Hopes for High Tunnels

Yesterday, USDA and Virginia State University co-hosted the 3rd Annual USDA Outreach Conference in Petersburg, VA.

Touring the Berlin, MD Wastewater Treatment Plant construction site are (l-r) Dr. Merle Marsh, Director of Special Projects, Worcester Preparatory School; Jane Kreiter, Director of Wastewater; student reporter Jamie Welch, Worcester Preparatory School; and James C. Latchum, Superintendent of Wastewater, Berlin, MD.

Berlin, MD: Progress on the Wastewater Treatment Plant

by Jamie Welch, Grade 8, Worcester Preparatory School

Left to Right: Mel Ellis, Director Single Family Housing, USDA Rural Development NC, Rich Davis, Acting Deputy Administrator, USDA Single Family Housing, Washington, D.C.

USDA Rural Development Hosts a Self Help Housing Listening Forum In North Carolina

Barbara Beard-Hinton, Assistant to the State Director for Rural Development in North Carolina, Mel Ellis, Director, Single Family Housing and Rich Davis, Acting Deputy Administrator, Single Family Housing sponsored a Self Help Housing Listening Forum at the McKimmon Conference Center at North Carolina State University in Raleigh on March 12.

There were 42 persons in attendance.

Posted in Rural

Mar 17, 2010

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Games for Healthy Kids, One Step at a Time

Cross posted from the White House, Office of Science and Technology Policy

Nanotechnology Project Opens at Disney World

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from the USDA's rich science and research portfolio.

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A visit to the happiest place on earth now opens a window to some of the smallest things on earth.

Jill Burkindine of Manhattan, Kan., and Jane Ray of Carthage, Texas, sisters, own the land where the more than one acre Hometown Garden is located at the USDA Service Center in Carthage. This is a unique garden. It’s a U.S. Department of Agriculture People’s Garden national initiative site. It also is the only privately owned initiative garden in the world.

From Sisters’ Generosity Grows a Garden to Benefit Carthage, Texas Community

Jane Ray was ironing clothes and watching the news when a story inspired her to action. The news story showed First Lady Michelle Obama speaking to employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., telling them about the agency’s People’s Garden initiative. Ray, who grew up in Carthage, Texas, realized she had just heard how she and her sister, Jill Burkindine of Manhattan, Kan., could honor their parents and benefit their hometown community.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack at the USDA/DOJ Workshop on competition issues.

USDA/DOJ Workshop on Competition Issues - Important Step in the Right Direction

Today over 600 people packed the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa to participate in the first ever USDA/DOJ workshop on competition issues in agriculture.

With FFA purple jackets helping direct the attendees (and selling boxed lunches), the hall was full nearly an hour before U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack and U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder began speaking to lead off the day.