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USDA Summer Road Trip
ICYMI, here's what happened last week at USDA:
Here at USDA, we know utilities mean more than just flipping a switch or turning on a faucet. By spurring smart and sustainable infrastructure growth and helping rural communities manage utility costs, we’re opening the doors to a world of opportunities for rural businesses everywhere and providing the necessary foundation for rural economies to thrive.
Updated water and water treatment systems, increased renewable energy sources, and access to affordable, reliable electric systems and broadband all work to improve the quality of life for our nation’s rural residents, and open possibilities to connect to the global economy. From coast to coast, we’re making smart investments to lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity in communities across the country.
As part of that commitment, on Friday, Secretary Vilsack traveled to Eastern Iowa to announce a $44 million USDA electric loan that will help improve nearly 350 miles of electric distribution lines throughout eastern Iowa. The loan is the largest electric distribution loan ever issued by USDA's Rural Utilities Services in Iowa and it will be used to assist the electric cooperative with implementing a four-year construction and system-improvement plan.
For the next 2 weeks, continue tuning in to #USDARoadTrip to see how USDA is working in all corners of our nation to build a stronger, more sustainable American economy through partnership, progress and promise.
The Week in Pictures
A technician installs cables at Pine Net Telephone and internet stations in Broken Bow, OK.
105 solar panels are installed at Littlestown Veterinary Hospital in Littlestown, PA.
All images available in Flickr.
On the USDA Blog
#USDARoadTrip: Investments in Rural Utilities
Here at USDA, we know utilities mean more than just flipping a switch or turning on a faucet. Access to crucial rural infrastructure helps boost trade opportunities for rural businesses, create jobs, and strengthen our nation’s economy as a whole. That’s why we’re making smart investments to lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity in communities across the country and to provide the foundation needed for rural economies to thrive.
1890 Land-Grant University Alumni Making a Difference at USDA
The Second Morrill Act of 1890 was enacted by Congress to support states in establishing the 1890 Land-Grant Universities (LGUs) –Historically Black Colleges and Universities which are committed to providing educational opportunity through scientific research and extension programs. There are currently nineteen 1890 LGUs across eighteen states, and each continues to cultivate leadership in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and agriculture to this day.
An Agricultural Legacy: Agriculture Strides through the Generations
Ever since their inception 125 years ago with passage of the Second Morrill Act, 1890 land-grant universities (LGU) have had a major impact on the lives of students in 18 states in the field of food and agricultural science. The legislation was created to increase the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences and the related disciplines.
Second Morrill Act Redux: America’s 1890s Land Grant Universities Academic Excellence
Booker T. Washington. George Washington Carver. Educators par excellence. Pioneers in food and agricultural scientific research. Dedicated their lives to helping “lift the veil of ignorance” by bringing knowledge to African-Americans and others with limited resources. For 125 years, since passage of the Second Morrill Act on Aug. 30, 1890, which created a “broader education for the American people in the arts of peace, and especially in agriculture and mechanics arts,” the legacy of innovations has been sustained.
This Thursday, July 16, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and I, along with staff from my Rural Business Energy Division, will have the honor to host a national stakeholder forum on the improvements to, and opportunities available, under the new Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program (Section 9003), formerly the Biorefinery Assistance Program.
USDA TV
USDA Week in Review Video - July 17, 2015
Read about us in the News
Record federal loan announced for Eastern Iowa Light and Power Cooperative (Radio Iowa)
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Wilton this morning to announce a $44 million loan issued to the Eastern Iowa Light and Power Cooperative. Coop communications director Jim Williams says the loan will help pay for upgrades to nearly 350 miles of electric lines and several other projects over the next five years. “System improvements, line extensions and basic infrastructure,” Williams said. Eastern Iowa Light and Power is one of the largest power coops in the state. “We serve a 12 county area and have approximately 19,000 members,” Williams said.
Vilsack’s visit helps to power Eastern Iowa’s future (WQAD Quad Cities)
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sees the light when it comes to rural investment. During a stop in Wilton, Iowa, on Friday, the former Iowa governor delivers a record-setting $44-million loan to the Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative. “The interest rate is low, which allows those improvements to be made without significantly increasing the cost of electricity,” Sec. Vilsack said. While this utility serves 26,000 clients in 13 Iowa counties, improvements and cost are constants for service and crucial for business accounts.
USDA announces funding to boost production of biobased fuels, products (Agri Pulse)
USDA said it's now accepting applications for funding under a program that supports the production of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased product manufacturing. The Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, formerly the Biorefinery Assistance Program, provides loan guarantees of up to $250 million to build or retrofit commercial scale biorefineries and develop renewable chemicals and biobased product manufacturing facilities. The funding was made available through the 2014 farm bill.
USDA loans boost biobased product manufacturing (Farm Futures)
USDA is accepting applications for funding under a program that supports the production of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased product manufacturing, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday. "This critical financing will enhance our efforts to build a robust, rural bioeconomy by helping to expand the availability of biobased products and to increase the number of commercial-scale biorefineries in the country," Vilsack said.
USDA partners with 1890s universities, colleges on Centers for Excellence (Farm Futures)
A $1 million investment from USDA will go toward three new Centers of Excellence developed in partnership with 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday. Vilsack made the announcement during an event commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Second Morrill Act becoming law, creating the 1890 Land-Grant Universities. "When Congress passed the act in 1890 creating additional Land-Grant Universities, they were creating access to economic mobility through educational opportunity for all. These schools have been instrumental in growing our nation into a multicultural economic power," Vilsack said.
Wheatland Electric has funds available for community, business startup loan assistance (The Hutchinson News)
Wheatland Electric currently has funds available to offer low- to no-interest loans to certain qualifying community and economic development projects. Since 2000, Wheatland Electric has invested more than $2.6 million back into the communities it serves through its partnership with USDA and the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.
Southeast Ohio craft beer maker gets grant to go solar (WBNS-10TV)
A federal grant will help a popular southeast Ohio craft beer maker switch to solar energy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that Jackie's O's, which operates a brewpub in uptown Athens, was awarded a $44,119 Rural Energy for America grant to help pay for solar panels at its offsite brewery. The grant will offset the nearly $176,500 cost of a new roof-mounted solar energy system, which will replace more than 70 percent of the energy used in the business.
Sunshine to help fuel famous Athens County pub and brew house (The Daily Jeffersonian)
Jackie O’s, a longtime Ohio University and Athens community favorite, today learned they have been approved for a $44,119 USDA Rural Energy for America Program grant to install solar panels at their Campbell Street location. “It’s no surprise this project came about in Athens, where innovations in renewable energy and local foods are clustering together,” said Ohio Rural Development State Director Tony Logan. “This project will use local vendor Third Sun Solar’s state-of-the-art technology to generate more than 100,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. That’s the equivalent of powering 10 households - or at least one very progressive pub and brew house! We hope Jackie O’s commitment to renewables will entice other businesses in the area to consider sustainable energy and explore the REAP grant.”
Great Lakes Brewing's Pat Conway touts sustainability, green business practices in Ohio Brew Week speech (Cleveland.com)
Pat Conway of Great Lakes Brewing Co. could have used his opportunity as keynote speaker at the 10th annual Ohio Brew Week to tout his business, the state's first craft brewery established in 1988. Instead, in two speeches, he took the time to drive home a message of sustainability and responsible business practices.
USDA announces funding to improve nearly 350 miles of electric lines in Eastern Iowa (Iowa City Press-Citizen)
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative’s headquarters in Wilton on July 17 to announce a $44 million U.S. Department of Agriculture electric loan that will help improve nearly 350 miles of electric distribution lines throughout eastern Iowa. It is the largest electric distribution loan ever issued by USDA’s Rural Utilities Services in Iowa.
Eastern Iowa electric power co-op receives $44 million USDA loan (The Gazette)
An Eastern Iowa electric power cooperative is getting the largest electric distribution loan ever issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Services in Iowa. Eastern Iowa Light and Power Cooperative in Wilton will use the $44 million loan to fund its four-year construction and service improvement plan. The cooperative serves rural portions of 12 counties, providing electric service to nearly 19,000 homes, farms and businesses.
Listen
ANOTHER BOOST FOR THE BIOBASED PRODUCT INDUSTRY
Broadcast Date: Thu, July 16, 2015
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is ready to start up a new program to help finance new projects to produce fuels, renewable chemicals and other biobased products. (Gary Crawford, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Jim Greenwood)
A MILESTONE FOR THE SECOND MORRILL ACT
Broadcast Date: Wed, July 15, 2015
Celebrations take place this week for 125th anniversary of the signing of the law creating the 1890 land grant universities. (Rod Bain and Dr. Harold Martin Sr. of North Carolina A and T University)
USDA AND 1890 SCHOOLS PARTNER IN CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
Broadcast Date: Thu, July 16, 2015
The partnership between USDA and 1890 land-grant universities will soon grow to include three Centers of Excellence which will address various opportunities. (Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack)
WHO CAN FARMERS TALK TO IN TOUGH FINANCIAL TIMES?
Broadcast Date: Wed, July 15, 2015
Ag producers may be stressed out over current finances, so being able to talk to family, experts, and even their lenders, is important to resolve issues and reduce stress. (Rod Bain and Margaret Van Ginkel of Iowa State University Extension)
Share
We're taking a #USDARoadtrip of our investments keeping rural America connected & competitive http://t.co/RenqFWGwy6 pic.twitter.com/Ngm8VrlPS6
— Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) July 14, 2015
We're investing in a sustainable future for IA with more reliable, efficient, effective power http://t.co/ZmO8cnhcRl pic.twitter.com/oPX6RYWRIY
— USDA Press Team (@USDAPress) July 17, 2015
On your way to @YosemiteNPS this weekend? You're driving through areas that have broadband thx to USDA http://t.co/xKwCrhEAZK #USDARoadTrip
— Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) July 17, 2015
#USDARoadtrip: In 2013, SecVilsack visited Alabama to give the commencement address at @TuskegeeUniv #Celebrate1890s pic.twitter.com/5NqtoSgoRK
— Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) July 16, 2015
Visiting the Bluegrass State? USDA investments in KY can be seen across a number of sectors http://t.co/AVucowMAFu #USDARoadTrip
— Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) July 16, 2015
Stop 17 on our #USDARoadTrip: Sec Vilsack tours an urban farm working to build sustainable food systems in Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/6kiG576suf
— Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) July 15, 2015
#USDARoadtrip: Thx in part to USDA, rural hospitals have state-of-the-art care to keep you well while on the road http://t.co/wDHEbULZOq
— Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) July 16, 2015
