NCGA Joins USDA on Tour to Highlight Investments in Rural Communities (8-9-06)

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Gerald Tumbleson and CEO Rick Tolman joined Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and Under Secretary of Rural Development Tom Dorr on the Mid-America Rural Tour this week to highlight how rural development is reshaping rural communities.

Tumbleson and Tolman visited several sites in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa that are helping to revitalize local economies because of loan guarantees and grants provided by the rural development title of the 2002 farm bill.

“There is a wide range of things that the farm bill and USDA programs are doing to help rural America prosper,” said Tumbleson. “The farm bill goes beyond the commodity title. The bill also provides loans and grants for rural businesses. This tour is showcasing the benefits of rural development, as more money and infrastructure are being pumped into our communities.”

The tour visited a Brandon fire station in South Dakota; Minwind Energy Farm in Luverne, Minn.; Siouxland Enery and Livestock in Sioux Center, Iowa; Dordt College in Sioux Center; and Orang City Area Health System, a hospital in Orange City, Iowa. All of these places received grants or loans from USDA as part of the rural development title.

“USDA is providing rural businesses and communities, not just farmers, with opportunities to invest in their areas,” Tolman said. “Without those opportunities, there is a good chance Brandon would not have a fire station or Luverne would not have a wind farm. The USDA programs and farm bill are having a ripple effect throughout rural America.”

The tour brought out several politicians as well. Sen Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Sen. Tim Johnson (R-S.D.) and Gov. Mike Rounds (R) made appearances at various stops.

“So many people are seeing the value of USDA programs and the need for investment in rural areas,” Tumbleson said. “It’s neat to see the high visibility for these programs and the good they are doing for our farmers and rural communities. NCGA is very happy to be a part of this tour.”

The tour continues through Minnesota today and Thursday.