Ohio’s Country Journal Mid-SepteMber 2009 5
NeWS
Vilsack brings Obama administration’s “Rural tour” to Ohio
On Aug. 31, Agriculture Secretary Tom always been at it’s best when we are in
Vilsack visited the Muskingum County an innovative mode, and this bill would
Welcome Center and held a “Rural Tour” stimulate a lot of innovation.”
community forum to discuss efforts by the Brown said he generally favors the bill
Obama Administration to rebuild and revi- but has concerns about its impact on agri-
talize rural America, listen to local resi- culture, potential spike in electricity prices,
dents talk about how the federal govern- and its possible impact on manufacturing
ment can assist them, and discuss solutions in Ohio and across the country.
to challenges facing their communities. “If we do this right, it will increase
“To overcome challenges and be suc- jobs in energy and manufacturing, and
cessful in a new, 21st century economy, not cost us jobs,” Brown said. “Ohio can
President Obama has asked that we reach lead the nation in solar and wind energy
out to people in rural communities across if we do it right.”
the country to listen, learn and facilitate Space said he did not support the initial
problem-solving,” Vilsack said. “It is criti- climate change bill, but improvements —
cally important to hear the thoughts, con- such as an investment of $180 billion to
cerns and stories about Ohio’s vision for its clean coal so it can be used and allowing
future and to collect ideas about how agriculture to take part in the carbon credit
USDA can better serve these communities.” system — and the bill’s ability to create a
Vilsack, joined by Senator Sherrod new economic sector through alternative
Brian Williams (left), farmland policy specialist for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, was one of
numerous people to share their thoughts and ask questions of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (far right) during
Brown (D-Ohio) and Congressman Zack energy have gotten his support.
a “Rural Tour” community forum held Aug. 31 in Zanesville. Vilsack was joined at the forum by Senator Sherrod
Space (D-Dover), discussed how the More than 300 Ohioans took advan-
Brown (center) and Congressman Zack Space, not pictured.
USDA is working to promote a sustain- tage of the opportunity to share view-
able, safe, sufficient and nutritious food points and ask questions about the
(NAIS) and what percentage of opposition On this final point, Rep. Space voiced
supply, ensure that America leads the impact agriculture issues have on the
it would take to finally scrap the idea. He his support for Issue 2, which will be on
global fight against climate change, and nation’s overall economic health.
said USDA will be putting out new recom- the Ohio ballot this November and
revitalize rural communities by expand- An audience member asked Vilsack
mendations for a system soon. His two pri- would create the Ohio Livestock Care
ing economic opportunities. about the federal milk marketing order
mary concerns with having no system were Standards Board. The issue is an attempt
Vilsack said expanding broadband and how USDA can help small, innova-
the potential impact on animal health and to keep oversight of Ohio’s livestock
Internet access into rural areas gives farm- tive, value-added dairy farmers keep the
disease containment if an outbreak were to practices in the hands of Ohioans who
ers the ability to make real-time decisions money they produce without having to
occur, and the potential competitive disad- know the industry, versus out-of-state
on their farms, and links small rural busi- share it with the commodity dairy sys-
vantage it could pose to U.S. agricultural interest groups, Space said.
nesses to a global economy. He discussed tem that, in some ways, is their competi-
products among trading partners. In June, President Obama announced
renewable fuel opportunities and how bio- tion. Vilsack said the dairy pricing sys-
Other questions touched on access to that Secretary Vilsack will lead the
mass-to-energy work has the potential to tem is very complex, and finding a pric-
resources for aquaculture, assistance for Administration’s Rural Tour to visit rural
bring jobs to rural areas while helping ing system with more stability and pre-
minority farmers, when new rules for communities in states throughout the
break the U.S. addiction to foreign oil. He dictability is a difficult task.
interstate shipment of state-inspected meat country. This was the 18th forum
also said pending climate change legisla- “It would be helpful if the dairy indus-
will be in place, food safety and efforts to Secretary Vilsack has led.
tion could “bring billions of dollars of try had a more consistent message of what
ensure foreign processors importing prod- USDA recently launched a new Web
opportunity into the agricultural econo- the solutions are, but it depends on what
uct to the United States follow equal or site and social media tools designed to
my.” To address some concerns voiced part of the country you’re in,” Vilsack said.
greater regulations, forests and work with enhance discussions and facilitate inno-
about the climate change bill, Vilsack said “There are only six people in the
the wood products industry, trade policy vation for challenges facing rural
the bill includes provisions to mitigate country who understand the federal
concerns and issues of food sovereignty, America. All Americans can follow the
increases in fertilizer costs that could arise, milk marketing system, and you must be
the impact of the healthcare bill on rural Rural Tour’s progress online at
for an extended period of time. one of them,” Vilsack said, jokingly, to
communities, and concern over the www.RuralTour.gov, on Twitter at
Expanding on the climate change bill the questioner.
Humane Society of the United States and www.twitter.com/RuralTour, or on
at a press conference following the Vilsack was questioned about the
the animal rights group’s efforts to ban cer- USDA’s Facebook fan page available at
forum, Vilsack said, “ America has National Animal Identification System
tain livestock practices. www.facebook.com/usda.
Value added Producer Grants available
USDA is accepting applications for producers have used USDA’s Value Added creative ways. Businesses of all sizes may state office in the state where the project
grants to assist agricultural producers seek- Producer Grant funds to expand markets apply, but priority will be given to opera- will be located. A list of state offices is
ing to add value to the commodities they for locally grown produce. The Chef’s tors of small and medium-sized family available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/
produce. Approximately $18 million will Garden, Inc., in Huron, received a $97,500 farms — those with average, annual gross recd_map.html. Electronic applications
be awarded nationwide. grant to explore the feasibility of process- sales of less than $700,000. must be submitted through
“These grants strengthen rural ing and marketing products derived from Applicants must provide matching www.Grants.gov.
economies and create jobs by helping farm- locally grown produce. The 40-year-old funds equal to the amount of the grant The national application period for
ers and ranchers add value to their agricul- company has completed market research requested. Ten percent of the funding USDA Rural Development Value Added
tural products by using them for planning efforts and is now selecting products to being made available is reserved for begin- Producer Grants closes on Nov. 30, 2009.
activities such as feasibility studies, market- market to consumers. The company proj- ning farmers or ranchers and socially dis- For more information on how to apply, pro-
ing and business plans, or for working cap- ects a 20% increase in sales. advantaged farmers or ranchers. An addi- ducers should visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/
ital,” Vilsack said. “This program also sup- USDA plans to award planning grants tional 10% is reserved for projects involv- rbs/coops/vadg.htm or see page 45165 of
ports President Obama’s goal to expand of up to $100,000 and working capital ing local and regional supply networks the Sept.1 Federal Register.
our nation’s renewable energy resources by grants of up to $300,000 to successful appli- that link independent producers with busi- Further information on rural programs
helping farmers develop renewable energy cants. Applicants are encouraged to pro- nesses and cooperatives that market value- is available at a local USDA Rural
from agricultural products.” pose projects that use existing agricultural added products. Development office or by visiting USDA
Vilsack highlighted a past grant recipi- products in non-traditional ways or merge Paper and electronic applications must Rural Development’s Web site at www.rur-
ent in Ohio as an example of how local agricultural products with technology in be submitted to the Rural Development dev.usda.gov.
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