Federal Agencies, Ag Partners to Discuss Needs of Rural Iowa

Citizens, business leaders, food producers, farmers, elected officials and economic development representatives are invited to meet with Iowa’s USDA leadership at a public forum April 9, 10 a.m. noon, at the Reinig Toledo Civic Center in Toledo to discuss the needs and opportunities for growth in Iowa’s rural communities.

The quarterly meeting of the Iowa Food & Agriculture Council (FAC) is typically held in Des Moines. However, members representing federal and state partners are traveling to Tama County to provide an opportunity for community members to gather information, make suggestions, and share ideas. The meeting’s focus will include regular agency updates, input on topics of mutual interest, resource assessments and strategies for effective public/private partnerships to help create business, jobs, and industry.

The forum will also include John Lawrence, Associate Dean in the Economics Department at Iowa State University, who will discuss livestock economics.

USDA’s scope includes agriculture, forestry, animal and plant health, food protection, risk management, rural infrastructure, telecommunications, rural business development, rural housing, and land and water conservation.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack directed agencies within the department to work more collaboratively to support rural communities in their efforts to define their future in today’s world economy.

USDA agencies scheduled to participate in the event include:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)

National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS)

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Risk Management Agency (RMA)

Rural Development (RD)

Special Guests: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Iowa State University Extension, and other ag partners.