The local USDA Food and Agriculture Council will be hosting a public meeting at the Summersville Arena and Conference Center on July 23, 2014. The local agricultural forum is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. with program presentation by USDA Agencies and state and local organizations followed by an informal question and answer session.
The United States Department of Agriculture has recognized that 90 percent of America’s persistent poverty counties are in rural America. In 2010 USDA launched the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and opportunity – an effort to leverage partnerships in poverty stricken rural areas to ensure that every community can fully access USDA programs. Twenty-nine West Virginia counties have recently been included in the StrikeForce Initiative. For Braxton, Clay, Nicholas, Webster and Fayette Counties, USDA aims to increase investment through intensive outreach and stronger partnership. USDA partners with rural communities and regions on locally supported projects, providing technical assistance and explanation as needed to ensure full access to USDA programs.
Local community based organizations are critical to this effort. Since 2010 USDA has partnered with over 400 of these organizations, congregations, volunteer organization, nonprofits and others.
Local meetings, such as these, being scheduled throughout West Virginia will assist in achieving results in rural growth and opportunity. Locally we expect to see increased loan activity, high tunnel construction, market opportunities and job creation.
All individuals and groups with interests in rural business, community health and safety, food production efforts from the small home gardener to larger scale livestock producers are encouraged to participate in this event. The local USDA staff welcomes public comment on any concerns or barriers that maybe preventing growth opportunities in these targeted counties.
There is no charge to attend the meeting but if you would like to bring a non-perishable item to donate to Feds Feed Families it would be very much appreciated.
For more information you can call the Braxton-Clay-Nicholas-Webster FSA Office at (304) 364-5103.
Special accommodations will be made, upon request, for persons with disabilities, vision or hearing impairments. Please call if accommodations are required.
