U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack held a rural community forum in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, on May 27, 2009, to listen to comments and concerns of local residents, the fourth such forum he has done since being sworn in. Vilsack also highlighted accomplishments made in first 100 days since passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
"As President Obama and I help rebuild and revitalize rural America, we want those affected by decisions made in Washington to be part of the process to develop innovative solutions and chart a path for these communities to participate in the new 21st century economy," said Vilsack.
At the rural community forum, Vilsack discussed how the USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture and natural resources and touches the life of every American. Under his leadership, the USDA is working to promote a sustainable, safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply, ensure that America leads the global fight against climate change, and revitalize rural communities by expanding economic opportunities.??
Vilsack also noted several American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) efforts administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) that are underway in Kentucky including-
- In 2008, USDA's FSA's Crop Disaster Program paid producers more than $31.9 million to farmers who suffered quantity and quality losses to crops from natural disasters or, in the case of prevented plantings, for crops that would have been planted in those years. As of April 2009 producers in Kentucky have received $2.5 million.
- In January 2009, when Kentucky was paralyzed by ice, snow and rain, USDA's Farm Service Agency implemented the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) in 93 counties for debris removal and fence repair. Thus far, Kentucky has received $27 million in funds.
- USDA is working to distribute the $173 million allocated in the Recovery Act for its Direct Operating Farm Loan Program. So far, 101 Kentucky farmers have been awarded a total of $3,747,410 in loans. Of these 20 have been to beginning farmers and 29 have been awarded to socially disadvantaged farmers.
Later, Vilsack visited a food bank in Louisville to highlight $1.6 million in USDA-purchased food that would come to Kentucky through the economic stimulus effort. You can learn more about this Recovery Act project and others at www.USDA.gov/Recovery.
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