USDA: The promise of rural America

For generations, rural Americans have provided our nation and the world with food, fiber and fuel. At the core of USDA's mission is fostering economic opportunity and innovation that will continue to yield positive results for rural communities and help American agriculture grow and create jobs right here at home. In addition to investments in business and infrastructure, that means continuously working to expand and maintain both foreign and domestic markets for American farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and rural manufacturers.

Early last week, negotiators reached an historic agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The deal levels the playing field for American workers and American businesses, supporting more rural made exports and good-paying American jobs. The countries in the TPP alone currently account for up to 42% of all U.S. agricultural exports – that’s $63 billion annually. Thanks to this agreement and its removal of unfair trade barriers, American agricultural exports to the region will expand even further, creating more jobs and more economic opportunities in rural communities. You can learn more about the agreement including Secretary Vilsack’s statement at www.usda.gov/trade. You can also find out how TPP will benefit agriculture in your state or a particular American agricultural product.

In addition to the TPP agreement, the USDA also announced $113 million in grants to help increase demand for America's specialty crops and expand opportunities for farmers, as well as nearly $3 million in grants to provide assistance to the agriculture community by addressing critical issues affecting plants and animals.

And finally, to ensure that the next generation of farmers is up to the task of feeding a growing world population, the USDA announced more than $17 million in grants for organizations that will develop training and resources for beginning farmers and ranchers across the nation.