As Work on Farm Bill Continues, New Report Looks At Rural Prosperity

A new interagency report on rural prosperity can be be a resource to lawmakers as they draft the next Farm Bill.  The USDA's Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, Anne Hazlett, said the report issued by the task force on agriculture and rural prosperity came at an opportune time, since lawmakers are working on the next Farm Bill.

"With Congress preparing to write this important legislation, we certainly hope that the task force report will serve as a fresh...a strong...and a valuable resource to those policymakers as they look at the magnitude of issues that impact these places."

She said the Farm Bill will require input from more agencies than just USDA or the Congressional Ag Committees, and that some things can be done quite quickly.

"I think you've already seen a couple of things happen with the stroke of the President's pen last Monday and you should expect to see a rollout of additional things that are more ready to go and ripe for action."

Meanwhile, Hazlett calls for some sort of implementing body to lead the intra-agency effort.