By Scout Nelson
The President, standing in a Minnesota farmer's shed, began a two-week White House "barnstorm" of rural America with a focus on rural investments and agriculture industry consolidation. During his visit to Dutch Creek Farms in Northfield, Minnesota, he emphasized the importance of rural America and announced significant funding measures.
The President highlighted his administration's delivery of $5 billion in conservation and infrastructure spending. This funding includes $1.7 billion allocated for Agriculture Department conservation programs, $1.1 billion in infrastructure loan and grant awards for rural communities, and an additional $2 billion designated for Rural Partners Network economic development projects.
In his address, the President stressed the interconnectedness of rural America with the nation's overall well-being, stating, "When rural America does well, when Indian country does well, we all do well."
He expressed concerns about consolidation in the meat processing and retail grocery industries, which he believes has limited farmers' ability to negotiate better terms. The President also lamented the loss of more than 400,000 farms and over 141 million acres of farmland in the past four decades.
Underlining the importance of diversification for farmers, he explained that the new conservation and energy funding would enable farmers to explore renewable energy production and participate in conservation programs, providing them with additional revenue streams.
The President described his administration's approach as aiming to "grow the economy from the middle out and bottom up," aligning with Tom Vilsack's perspective on rural America. He criticized trickle-down economics, which he believes has "hollowed out Main Street" and pressured farmers to either scale up or exit the industry.
The President also commended the use of American Rescue Plan funds by the USDA to support the construction and expansion of small and medium-sized meat processing plants, contributing to enhanced competition.
Photo Credit - pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy