In March 2009 we reported President's Obama's failure to follow through on a campaign promise to hold a national rural summit within the first 100 days of his presidency. Now the administration has scheduled the summit for June 3. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host the event, titled "National Summit of Rural America: A Dialogue for Renewing Promise," on the campus of Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo., says a USDA news release. Perhaps as a way to address the campaign-proimise issue, the release says the summit will conclude the 22-stop "Rural Tour" that Vilsack and other Cabinet members have made for the past year.
"This Summit will be an opportunity for rural Americans to share their vision for creating a more prosperous and promising future for rural America," Vilsack said in the release. "The Obama Administration is committed to strengthening rural America, and now farmers, ranchers, and foresters from throughout the country can have the opportunity to engage with key policymakers and community leaders to discuss the priorities and policies necessary to keep its future bright." Participants will discuss issues facing Rural America including rebuilding and revitalizing rural America, creating new jobs, improving infrastructure, improving farm competitiveness, and encouraging innovation in renewable energy.
For a blog post and video from Vilsack, click here. Those wishing to attend the summit can register here.
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