USDA-County StrikeForce Initiative
Issue: Building a Healthy & Inclusive Society
Target Level of Office: Local
Policy Origin: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Link: www.YEONetwork.org/2013policy/?i=228
Summary Narrative of the Policy: USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative
works to address the unique set of challenges faced by many of America’s rural communities.
Through StrikeForce, the USDA is leveraging resources and collaborating with partners and
stakeholders to improve economic opportunity and quality of life in rural areas.
Relevant Talking Points & Important Information:
• While poverty is a rural, suburban, and urban challenge, the reality is that nearly 85
percent of America’s persistent poverty counties are in rural areas.
• USDA’s StrikeForce aims to increase investment in rural communities through intensive
outreach and stronger partnerships. The USDA partners with rural communities and
regions on locally-supported projects – like improving access to healthy, affordable food
in Tribal lands in the state of Nevada – by providing technical assistance and fostering
partnerships with community organizations, businesses, foundations, universities, and
other groups to support more than 80,000 projects to usher in more than $9.7 billion in
investments into rural America.
• StrikeForce now operates in over 800 rural counties, parishes, boroughs, tribal reservations,
and Colonias in 20 states.
oo In Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi, StrikeForce is improving access
to capital and markets for small minority farmers. Members of famers’ agricultural
cooperatives are now providing locally grown peas, greens, and watermelons to
national grocery chains for sale in select stores.
oo In New Mexico, the USDA is increasing homeownership opportunities for families
living in the Colonias communities of Luna, Hidalgo, and Dona Ana Counties
along the U.S./Mexican border. USDA finalized 75 home loans and grants in these
StrikeForce county areas in fiscal year 2013.
oo In South Dakota, the StrikeForce team financed a new administration building for
the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Trike, which will house 20 public service, Tribal, and
other agencies.
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Local Level
Policy
2014 Book