Rebuilding rural America through rural philanthropy:
"From the Rural Tour, which I led two years ago — to the new White House Rural Council, which I chair — from broadband, to energy and microenterprises, the USDA’s ongoing focus has been jobs and opportunity for rural citizens. This kind of opportunity adds value to agricultural products, attracts industry and makes rural America competitive. But our work also goes to quality-of-life issues like education, healthcare and community services, and makes rural communities better places to live and raise families.
Rural America abounds with potential, but we must better use a powerful tool capable of also improving opportunity in rural America: philanthropic partnerships.
Our rural communities need more investment, innovation and networks.
To unleash the wealth and capital that exist in our rural communities we need funding from many sources. That is why I traveled to Kansas City this week to address the Rural Philanthropy Conference of the Council on Foundations."