Ag Secretary Vilsack and Energy Secretary Chu Host Rural Tour Community Forum in Rural Virginia

By: Nathan Prill

Beneath the shade of a tobacco curing barn on the farm of Buddy Mayhew in Blairs, Va., Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and U.S. Congressman Tom Perriello spoke about the economic challenges currently facing local producers at a USDA Rural Tour Community Forum on July 18, 2009. During the forum, the visiting officials explained opportunities available through the new administration’s initiatives for energy, agriculture and rural development.

Secretary Vilsack acknowledged the local anxiety over dairy prices as well as the challenge of adapting from traditional cropping patterns to integrate new bio-energy commodities. He highlighted the current USDA initiatives working towards supporting dairy prices and new energy commodities aimed at building sustainable and thriving rural communities.

In an op-ed to the Des Moines Register, Vilsack discussed how the role of rural America will be critical in climate change solutions “This issue is too important for agriculture and forestry to sit on the sidelines. The opportunities it offers farmers and ranchers through a carbon market and a new energy economy are too promising to delay. Because, when we address climate change, we will not only fend off a looming climate crisis, but we will revitalize rural America.”

The forum also provided the unique opportunity for farmers, as well as entrepreneurs in the emerging renewable energy sector, to ask questions on how current policy initiatives will impact their communities. To find out more about this series of events, visit the Rural Tour Web site.

FSA County Office employees and representatives from the Virginia State Office –including newly appointed State Executive Director Michael Wooden – were on hand to listen to the Secretaries’ remarks as well as the economic concerns of local producers.

After the event, Secretary Vilsack thanked USDA employees for their hard work in the field while acknowledging challenges faced by the local service centers in carrying out their responsibilities. He encouraged the group to continue providing excellent service to producers while promoting an inclusive, ‘Everyday, Every-Way’ department.

Virginia SED Michael Wooden (left) greets Secretary Vilsack (right) at the Rural Tour Community Forum. They are joined by Byron Waters, Rural Housing Program Director (rear left), and James Reavis, NRCS District Conservationist (center).