Rural Partners Network Focuses On Local Agriculture
Potter County continues its engagement with the Rural Partners Network (RPN), which was launched by the federal government last April to give rural communities equitable access to federal funds and opportunities. It’s a collaboration of more than 20 federal agencies working together to elevate rural issues with decision makers. This new, direct line between rural communities and federal program leaders is changing business-as-usual by working across agencies to coordinate support farmers, senior citizens and military veterans; to create and retain jobs; to expand high-speed internet service, and to address other rural priorities. On Thursday, Commissioner Paul Heimel and Community Development Coordinator Kal Logue participated in a RPN online forum hosted by the White House and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. A USDA administrator detailed new grant programs to expand marketing opportunities for farmers and to incentivize creation of local meat/poultry production facilities. Grants of up to $100,000 are available.