Source: USDA, 10/19/15

American farmers and ranchers have a proud and historic tradition of putting food on the tables of families across the nation and across the world. But the global population is rapidly growing. The United Nations estimates that worldwide demand for food will increase 70% by 2050. To address this critical challenge, USDA is investing in sustainable solutions that not only meet the needs of millions of hungry people but also build on economic growth for developing nations as well as for American farmers and ranchers.

Last week, Secretary Vilsack sat down with a panel at the World Food Prize in Iowa to discuss how open agricultural and nutrition data can be a powerful tool in our arsenal to improve economic opportunities for farmers and to address the health and nutritional needs of a global population. Making data available, accessible and usable helps build on the good work of our agricultural communities at home and abroad, opening up opportunities and driving innovation to tackle the urgent challenge of ensuring global food security. Read more about what USDA is doing to invest in the future of global food security.

In addition to that, we also awarded 30 grants to projects spanning 22 states to help rural cooperatives create jobs and support business expansion in rural communities here at home. Since the start of the Obama Administration, USDA has funded 230 cooperative grants for $44.4 million to support projects in 39 states. This funding has benefited more than 2,600 businesses. You can read more about our support for rural cooperatives and find a list of the projects on our website.

Stay tuned this month as we highlight some of our nation’s #HarvestHeroes and continue to celebrate the promise of rural America, and the #RuralMade economy.