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White House Rural Council Blog

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Giving Doctors and Hospitals the Tools They Need to Provide Better Care

When doctors and hospitals use Health IT, it reduces errors, cuts paperwork, and lowers costs. Over the past 3 years, the Obama Administration has made it a top priority to make it easier for doctors and hospitals to adopt Health IT.
February 21, 2012 at 5:48 PM ET by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Kathleen Sebelius

“Life is a Highway: Rural Tourism and the Prospects of Economic Opportunity”

Visitors in search of a memorable American experience encounter a wealth of attractive tourism opportunities in our country’s rural landscapes and communities.
February 16, 2012 at 5:43 PM ET by Doug McKalip

Regional Planning – Key to Rural Economic Strength

Kathleen Merrigan, USDA Deputy Under Secretary, and Bob Perciasepe, EPA Deputy Administrator, discuss the importance of a strong rural economy.
November 28, 2011 at 11:08 AM ET by Kathleen Merrigan and Bob Perciasepe

White House Rural Council Feedback Report

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announces the release of the White House Rural Council feedback report which includes information gathered from nearly 200 roundtable discussions with business and agricultural leaders in rural communities.
September 30, 2011 at 5:02 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Lessons from the Farm to Strengthen America

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlines how the President's plan to pay for the American Jobs Act will impact farmers and ranchers.
September 20, 2011 at 12:17 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

“Someday” is Now: Direct Farm Payments and the President’s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction

As part of the President’s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction, President Obama announces his proposal to terminate direct farm subsidies.
September 19, 2011 at 3:07 PM ET by Doug McKalip

Mobilizing Rural Communities: Partnerships and Outreach in Montana

The American Jobs Act will create jobs and opportunity in rural America. During a conference on mobilizing rural communities, Doug McKalip, Senior Policy Advisor for Rural Affairs, shares how Montana will benefit.
September 16, 2011 at 10:56 AM ET by Doug McKalip

Rural America and The President's Jobs Plan

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlines how the American Jobs Act will help rebuild rural American communities.
September 9, 2011 at 5:47 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Treasury Announces Awards to Benefit Low-Income and Distressed Native Communities

Financial institutions serving Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities will receive awards that will allow them to increase lending services, start new microloan programs and increase their capacity to serve their target markets.
August 25, 2011 at 3:49 PM ET by Donna Gambrell

Rural Tour Day Two: Economic Forum in Peosta, Iowa

President Obama announces new job initiatives for rural America at the White House Rural Economic Forum during his economic bus tour.
August 16, 2011 at 10:14 AM ET by Nikki Sutton

Rural Veterans and the Tyranny of Distance

For about 3.3 million Vets, or 41 percent of the total enrolled in VA’s health care system, distance is more than a challenge. Distance can mean rural Veterans don’t have access to the care and services they’ve earned.
August 3, 2011 at 8:00 AM ET by Drew Brookie

White House Roundtable Meeting with Rural Leaders

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack reflects on a meeting held with leaders of rural organizations and the crucial points raised during the discussion on building stronger rural communities across the nation.
July 28, 2011 at 4:53 PM ET by Tom Vilsack

Winning the Future by Supporting Local Innovation

Through an inter-agency partnership, $95 million in grants has been made available for communities across the country to build more sustainable infrastructure.
July 28, 2011 at 3:15 PM ET by Ron Sims

Mile High City with Mountains of Ideas

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack meets with business leaders from across Colorado at a White House Business Council roundtable in Denver to discuss innovative ideas to help create jobs.
July 5, 2011 at 11:08 AM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Collaborating with Tribes through the White House Rural Council

While rural communities face challenges, they also present economic potential. The Council will address these challenges, build on the Administration’s rural economic strategy, and improve the implementation of that strategy.
July 1, 2011 at 11:55 AM ET by Kimberly Teehee

Our Covenant with America’s Rural Miners

The Obama Administration continues its commitment to the safety, education, and fair standards and of the mining industry and its workers.
June 24, 2011 at 2:20 PM ET by Secretary Hilda Solis

Rural America: Building Upon a Record of Success

President Obama signs an Executive Order establishing a White House Rural Council, the first entity of its kind established to focus on policy initiatives for Rural Americans.
June 9, 2011 at 11:23 AM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Weekly Wrap Up: Egg Roll 2011

Your quick look at the week that was on WhiteHouse.gov.
April 29, 2011 at 5:58 PM ET by

Flex Fuel Pumps and a Green Energy Economy

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack explains how USDA is working with farmers and entrepreneurs to secure our nation’s long-term energy future and give Americans more choices about where to spend their gas dollars: at home or abroad.
April 21, 2011 at 2:06 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Weekly Wrap Up: America's Energy Future

Your quick look at the week that was on WhiteHouse.gov
April 8, 2011 at 7:02 PM ET by

What You Missed: Open for Questions on Energy Security with Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar sits down with Kalpen Modi and college students from across the country to answer your questions on America's energy future.
April 7, 2011 at 10:57 AM ET by Katelyn Sabochik

One Year Later: Remembering the Miners of Montcoal

On April 5, 2010, 29 miners died in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, WV. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis discusses the efforts undertaken by the federal government to improve mine safety.
April 5, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET by Secretary Hilda Solis, Secretary Hilda L. Solis

Weekly Wrap Up: Healthy Anniversary!

Your quick look at the week that was on WhiteHouse.gov
March 25, 2011 at 6:47 PM ET by Kori Schulman

Weekly Wrap Up: Working with Small Business

A quick look at the week that was on WhiteHouse.gov.
February 25, 2011 at 6:27 PM ET by Kori Schulman

Working with Tribal Nations to Build a Brighter Future

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve relations with and conditions for Native Americans, the White House is releasing the synopsis of the 2010 White House Tribal Nations Conference. Read it here.
February 25, 2011 at 4:55 PM ET by Kimberly Teehee

USDA Announces Claims Process for Hispanic and Women Farmers

The USDA announces a new claims process for Hispanics and women who believe they were the victims of discrimination in federal aid money. Secretary Tom Vilsack explains the claims process.
February 25, 2011 at 3:08 PM ET by Secretary Tom Vilsack

Dr. Alma Hobbs' Story: Promoting Prosperity on America's Farms

Dr. Alma Hobbs, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration at the Department of Agriculture, talks about her work to promote American farms and agricultural education.
February 18, 2011 at 12:20 PM ET by Dr. Alma Hobbs

Weekly Wrap Up: Rebuilding America's Infrastructure for the 21st Century

A look back at the week that was on WhiteHouse.gov.
February 11, 2011 at 7:09 PM ET by Kori Schulman

Fulfilling Our Promise in Indian Country

Secretary Salazar discusses the Congressional approval of five major settlements for Indian country that are nothing short of historic.
November 30, 2010 at 4:41 PM ET by Ken Salazar

Engaging Rural Communities Through State Fairs Across the Country

Melody Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, looks back at the Administration's visits to state fairs across the country, including an interactive map.
November 1, 2010 at 11:41 AM ET by Melody Barnes