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White House Rural Council Blog

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Using Active Management to Improve Efficiency and Drive Investments to High-Need Communities

This Administration has focused on using resources more efficiently and working smarter to ensure that federal investments reach the people and places who most need them.
January 4, 2017 at 9:00 AM ET by Katharine Ferguson

100 Strong: Rural Impact County Challenge Achieves Goal

The Administration is committed to investing in rural communities, and these community leaders will prove instrumental in addressing the opportunity gap for rural kids.
November 28, 2016 at 9:57 AM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Delta Region Youth Opportunity on the Rise

Three Delta communities are working with the Administration encourage investments in essential programs that support workforce development training, learning, and meals.
November 22, 2016 at 1:25 PM ET by Christopher A. Masingill, Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman

A Whole-Family Approach to Serving Families in Rural America

The Obama Administration has invested in innovative approaches to connect low-income families in rural and tribal areas with essential services.
November 17, 2016 at 2:38 PM ET by Chad Maisel

The White House Rural Forum Focuses on Rural Opportunities and Results

The White House Rural forum will mark a culmination of the Obama Administration's historic focus and investment in rural America.
October 4, 2016 at 3:54 PM ET by DOUG O’BRIEN, SENIOR ADVISOR, USDA

Federal Investments Spur Health Innovation in Rural America

Frontier Communities Explore Innovative Ways to Enhance Health Care Delivery
August 10, 2016 at 4:46 PM ET by Doug O’Brien, Senior Advisor, USDA

Rural Means Business: Bringing Tech Jobs to Rural America

Across America, towns and businesses are seizing the opportunity to bring well-paying IT jobs to rural areas.
May 24, 2016 at 3:12 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack, Secretary Thomas E. Perez

Income Inequality: A Growing Threat to Eliminating Rural Child Poverty

A Growing Threat to Eliminating Rural Child Poverty
May 16, 2016 at 5:23 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Addressing the Heroin and Prescription Opioid Epidemic

Ed. note: This was cross-posted from the USDA Blog.
March 31, 2016 at 12:22 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Local Foods, Local Places Empowers Creative Economic Development in Rural and Urban Communities

Local Foods, Local Places, an effort to support communities that are building local food systems, is empowering local leaders and citizens to strengthen their communities
February 29, 2016 at 6:53 PM ET by Doug O’Brien

Working hand-in-hand with county leaders to build a brighter future for rural kids and families

Today, the Administration announced new efforts to build on ongoing progress to combat rural child poverty.
February 23, 2016 at 12:26 PM ET by Shaun Donovan, Cecilia Muñoz, Jerry Abramson

Earned Income Tax Credit Can Help Rural Families

For the last 40 years, the Earned Income Tax Credit has made life better for millions of workers across the United States.
February 1, 2016 at 1:44 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Department of Agriculture Boosts Climate Solutions in Rural Vermont

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack awarded a $46 million loan to expand access to climate solutions in rural areas across Vermont.
January 8, 2016 at 3:18 PM ET by Ali Zaidi, Doug O'Brien

Investing in Opportunity in Indian Country

Over the course of the Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made critical investments in Tribal communities.
November 5, 2015 at 6:49 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

HHS Launches National Center for Excellence in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

The Department of Health and Human Services announces the launch of the National Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation.
October 9, 2015 at 10:55 AM ET by Roberto J. Rodríguez, DOUG O'BRIEN

HHS, Federal Partners Announce Rural IMPACT Demonstration Designees

Today, U.S Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and HHS Acting Deputy Secretary Mary Wakefield announced the 10 Rural IMPACT Demonstration designees.
September 25, 2015 at 6:53 PM ET by DOUG O'BRIEN

Overcoming Opioid Overdose in Rural America

The Department of Health and Human Services yesterday announced new funding to support rural communities in reducing morbidity and mortality related to opioids.
September 21, 2015 at 12:14 PM ET by Doug O’Brien

New Tool Helps Rural Communities Assess Opportunities for Smart Growth and Development

A new tool from EPA — the Smart Growth Self-Assessment for Rural Communities — helps more rural communities manage tough growth and development decisions.
August 27, 2015 at 3:03 PM ET by Matthew Dalbey, Doug O'Brien

Supporting Young Children and Families in American Indian Communities

The Department of Health and Human Services announces $600,000 in awards to six tribal entities for a new round of Tribal Early Learning Initiative (TELI) grants.
August 19, 2015 at 10:56 AM ET by Linda K. Smith

Tackling Rural Child Poverty in Southwest Georgia

USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden talks to leaders from southwest Georgia to discuss how USDA can support their work tackling issues relating to rural child poverty.
August 13, 2015 at 4:29 PM ET by Krysta Harden

Helping Rural Older Americans Thrive

The USDA and other federal agencies are investing in housing, health care and nutrition programs for our country’s rural seniors.
July 10, 2015 at 1:00 PM ET by Doug O'Brien

Tapping into the Economic Potential of Local Food Through Local Foods, Local Places

Industry estimates suggest that local food sales in America have nearly doubled in recent years, jumping from $5 billion in 2008 to $11.7 billion in 2014. We’ve invested more than $800 million in 29,100 local and regional food businesses and infrastructure projects over the past six years to help farmers, ranchers and rural businesses tap into that market.
July 1, 2015 at 11:09 AM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Serving More Summer Meals in Rural and Tribal Areas

The Administration is making a series of announcements designed to serve more meals this summer in rural and tribal areas.
June 22, 2015 at 2:12 PM ET by Secretary Arne Duncan, Secretary Tom Vilsack

Ensuring that All Native Youth Can Reach Their Full Potential

June 4, 2015 at 11:00 AM ET by Secretary Sally Jewell

Creating Opportunity for All in Rural Communities

May 20, 2015 at 9:48 AM ET by Shaun Donovan, Cecilia Muñoz, Jason Furman

Rural Communities Rising to the (i6) Challenge

In light of President Obama’s recent announcement of the i6 Rural Challenge, we want to highlight some of the 2014 Regional Innovation Strategies Program’s rural grantees.
May 11, 2015 at 8:45 AM ET by Doug O'Brien

Embracing Technology to Support Healthy Kids in Rural America

May 7, 2015 at 12:49 PM ET by Doug O'Brien

$1 Billion Invested in Rural Health Care Across 13 States

May 5, 2015 at 1:26 PM ET by Brandon McBride and Karen B. DeSalvo

Serving Rural America’s Kids and Families

President Obama and Secretary Vilsack meet with eight members of the National 4-H community in the Oval Office. See their inspiring stories about how they are opening up new doors for kids in their hometowns, and how this work is building stronger communities where they can learn, play, and grow.
April 13, 2015 at 3:33 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Opportunity for All: White House Rural Council Launches “Rural Impact” Effort to Help Rural Children and Families Succeed

Rural Impact is a new effort from the White House Rural Council to address the challenge of rural child poverty by bringing together federal agencies and public and private resources.
April 13, 2015 at 12:11 PM ET by Doug O'Brien