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USDA "StrikeForce" initiative to boost rural economic growth and opportunity
Story Date: 3/27/2013
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Source: USDA, 3/26/13
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will launch its
"StrikeForce" initiative in 10 additional states, including South
Carolina. The primary goal of the StrikeForce initiative is to increase
partnership with rural communities and leverage community resources in
targeted, persistent poverty areas. Vilsack noted that through the StrikeForce
initiative, USDA will do more to partner with local and state governments and
community organizations on projects that promote economic development and job
creation.
"During my travels across the country, I've heard mayors and other community leaders
say they have a hard time competing for USDA loan and grant programs. They have
a plan to develop a new business or create jobs in their regions, but they lack
development capital and they view our application and review processes as a
barrier," said Vilsack. "StrikeForce changes that. By increasing
outreach and technical assistance to communities, we can serve as better
partners and help better leverage resources."
The "StrikeForce" initiative started as a pilot project in 2010 in selected regions in three states:
Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi. In 2011 it was expanded to include Colorado,
New Mexico and Nevada. In 2013, Secretary Vilsack announced new efforts to
bring the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity to Alabama, Alaska,
Arizona, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas,
Utah and Virginia.
USDA identifies census tracts with over 20 percent poverty (according to American
Community Survey data) to identify sub-county pockets of poverty. As areas of
persistent poverty are identified, USDA staff work with state, local and
community officials to increase awareness of USDA programs, and help build
program participation. Vilsack noted that often USDA conducts special outreach
activities in an area, and that since 2010, USDA has partnered with over 400
local community based organizations to promote local or regional development
projects.
Secretary Vilsack also discussed how the StrikeForce initiative has already had an impact
across the nation.
In Arkansas, StrikeForce is tackling food insecurity and access
to healthy food. USDA established a partnership with Heifer International
through the East Arkansas Enterprise Community. This partnership is developing
a sustainable food system in order to address existing food deserts in a
nine-county area in the Mississippi Delta region.
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In Nevada, StrikeForce is improving access to farm programs in
Indian Country. USDA has partnered with the Indian Nations Conservation
Alliance, Nevada Department of Agriculture and local extension services to
promote locally grown food on Tribal lands in Nevada.
In Georgia, USDA is collaborating with Fort Valley State
University to provide technical assistance to develop a cooperative business
structure in the Georgia goat industry.
In New Mexico, StrikeForce is helping more children get a
healthy meal when school's out. USDA partnered with New Mexico Collaborative to
End Hunger, Share Our Strength and Dairy Max to fund its first mobile Summer
Food Service Program bus, delivering meals to 45,000 children each summer
weekday at 700 partner sites.
Vilsack also noted that Farm Service Agency direct lending in StrikeForce areas saw an
increase last year, even as lending by the agency nationwide was down slightly.
"The StrikeForce Initiative is helping us direct additional resources to better
serve producers in persistent poverty rural communities," said Vilsack.
"We are focusing on these identified high poverty areas to help improve
the quality of life of producers and their communities and to accelerate
implementation of conservation practices on their land."
Participants in the StrikeForce include The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural
Development, the Farm Service Agency, the Food and Nutrition Service and the
USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
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