Every day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides assistance to help grow American agriculture and provide tools to increase opportunity for rural communities. Unfortunately, 90 percent of America's persistent poverty counties are in rural America. USDA's StrikeForce aims to increase investment in rural communities for technical assistance and other resources in priority, poverty-stricken communities.

The results have already been impressive. For example, Farm Service Agency loans in StrikeForce areas were up almost 10 percent in 2012 over 2011 - even when the nation as a whole saw farm lending drop 10 percent. In the Natural Resource Conservation Service, program application by underserved producers last year increased by 82 percent in StrikeForce areas. Rural Housing loans were up more than 110 percent in 2012 over 2011 in StrikeForce areas.

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Announcements:

• StrikeForce Georgia Informational Meeting

• Agenda for May 23, 2013 Informational Meeting

Informational Meeting Thursday, May 23, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(Individual media interview time will be from 1:00-2:00PM) 
Hosted By: Fort Valley State University Agricultural Technology Conference Center46 Camp John Hope Road Fort Valley, GA 31030 

This free meeting is open to the general public, partners and members of the press to get a better understanding of this expanding USDA initiative and to learn where it's heading in Georgia! 

Pre-Registration is requested by May 20, 2013 by emailing Chris.Groskreutz@ga.usda.gov or by calling 706-546-2069.

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USDA StrikeForce website: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE

Georgia's Effort to Boost Rural Economic Growth and Opportunity Noted as Secretary Vilsack Expands USDA StrikeForce Initiative. Click to Read the News Release (April 3, 2013)

Georgia Rural Development StrikeForce Coordinators: Bryan Zulko Phone: (706) 552-2557 and Deborah Callahan Phone: (706) 552-2583

StrikeForce is helping us direct needed USDA resources to individuals and communities in Georgia’s 60 Strikeforce counties.  The counties are: