April 27, 2010
USDA’s Vilsack lists three “B"s for rural growth (Reuters)
(Reuters) - Broadband, biotech and biofuels can be as important to economic development in rural America as traditional farm supports, said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday.
Vilsack called for a broad approach to farm policy during remarks to the North American Agricultural Journalists. "It has to include quality jobs as well," he said, noting that many growers need off-farm income to make ends meet.
The so-called farm bills written every few years by Congress cover nutrition, rural development, land stewardship, agricultural research and export programs as well as crop subsidies. Hearings have begun on the 2012 farm bill.
Larger farm exports and higher spending on farm supports have not prevented a dwindling in farm numbers, said Vilsack.
He said broadband Internet service, biofuels and biotechnology could create jobs in small towns and spur economic growth.
The head of the largest U.S. farm group said the future of farm policy should not be "an either-or conversation" that pits funding for rural development against crop supports.
