Vilsack visits South Dakota on Rural Tour

Farm equipment can be bought with loans made available through the government.
Farm equipment can be bought with loans made available through the government.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently made a stop in South Dakota as part of the Barack Obama's Rural Tour.

The tour was launched earlier this year as a way for people in more remote, farming communities to discuss their concerns with elected officials in Washington. During his visit, Vilsack highlighted a number of efforts put forward for farmers through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"To overcome challenges and be successful in a new, 21st century economy, President Obama has asked that we reach out to people in rural communities across the country to listen, learn and facilitate problem-solving," Vilsack said.

One example put forward by Vilsack is the $10.2 million that has been made available through the United States Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency. The money is available through the 176 Direct Operating Farm Loan program and can be used to purchase things like new farm equipment.

In addition to the stop in South Dakota, Vilsack has visited places such as Oklahoma, California and Missouri. President Obama first announced the tour on June 30 of this year.
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