White House Rural Council to Strengthen Rural Communities

On June 9, President Obama signed an Executive Order that establishes a Rural Advisory Council. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, will chair the council, which includes representatives from 25 executive branch departments, agencies and offices.

The council will be responsible for providing recommendations to the president on investment in rural areas and improving the quality of life for rural Americans.  The council will identify and facilitate rural economic opportunities associated with energy development, outdoor recreation and other conservation related activities.  The council will coordinate with a variety of rural interests, including agricultural groups, small businesses and state, local and tribal governments.

The council will advise the White House on rural issues, including:

• Jobs: Improve job training and workforce development in rural America.
• Agriculture: Expand markets for agriculture, including regional food systems and exports.
• Access to Credit: Increase opportunity by expanding access to capital in rural communities and fostering local investment.
• Innovation: Promote the expansion of biofuels production capacity and community based renewable energy projects.
• Networks: Develop high-growth regional economies by capitalizing on inherent regional strengths.
• Health Care: Improve access to quality health care through expansion of health technology systems.
• Education: Increase post-secondary enrollment rates and completion for rural students.
• Broadband: Support the president’s plan to increase broadband opportunities in rural America.
• Infrastructure: Coordinate investment in critical infrastructure.
• Ecosystem markets: Expand opportunities for conservation, outdoor opportunities and economic growth on working lands and public lands.

According to the USDA press release, the “The White House Rural Council will coordinate programs across government to encourage public-private partnerships to promote further economic prosperity and quality of life in rural communities nationwide.”

Article source: http://ruralcommunitybuilding.fb.org/2011/06/10/white-house-rural-council-to-strengthen-rural-communities/

Tags: agriculture, farmer, local foods, producer, rural development

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at 4:01 pm and is filed under Community Development. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.