President Obama has signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council.  President Obama says – strong rural communities are key to a stronger America.  That’s why I’ve established the White House Rural Council to make sure we’re working across government to strengthen rural communities and promote economic growth.

Chaired by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the Council will be responsible for providing recommendations for investment in rural areas and will coordinate Federal engagement with a variety of rural stakeholders, including agricultural organizations, small businesses, and state, local, and tribal governments.

In the coming months, the Council will focus on issues important to agriculture such as: jobs, expansion of agricultural markets, access to credit, biofuels, health care, education, broadband, infrastructure and ecosystem markets.

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