FEINGOLD TO INTRODUCE RURAL OPPORTUNITIES BILL
Legislation to encourage economic growth in rural communities
is part of Feingold’s “Rural Communities Week” to
highlight issues facing rural America
February 7, 2007
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold will introduce the
Rural Opportunities Act of 2007 this week to help sustain and strengthen
rural economies for the future, and create more opportunities in rural
communities. With the changing global economy, and tough challenges
for hardworking farmers, this bill offers new and creative approaches
to help rural communities continue to grow. Feingold’s legislation
will support rural America in four ways: supporting local bioeconomies
and food markets, encouraging local renewable fuels and biobased products,
expanding broadband Internet service in rural areas, and helping develop
the next generation of farmers, ranchers and land managers. The bill
would encourage steps toward energy independence, such as Governor Doyle’s
Consortium on Biobased Industry in Wisconsin.
“The federal government has an important role to play in supporting
America’s small towns and rural areas, which contribute so much
to our economy, and to our strength as a nation,” Feingold said.
“By passing this bill, Congress can support the rural communities
that America was built on, for this generation and generations to
come.”
“Senator Feingold's Rural Opportunities Act addresses several
critical issues important to Wisconsin's family farmers and rural
communities,” Sue Beitlich, President of the Wisconsin Farmers
Union, said. “The proposals' emphasis on returning and retaining
more value for the farmer and rural community from local and sustainable
food and renewable energy production, echoes many of the priorities
suggested by Farmers Union members at our Farm Bill Listening Session
and recent convention.”
This legislation is part of Feingold’s Rural Communities Week,
where he is introducing legislation to help address issues facing rural
America. Yesterday, Feingold joined Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) in
introducing the Rural Medicare Equity Act of 2007.
Feingold’s Rural Opportunities Act of 2007 would:
Help schools work in conjunction with local farmers to supply their
cafeterias with locally produced products.
Provide additional funds for existing USDA programs, which help develop
local markets and help farmers develop and sell products at these markets.
Boost funds to provide additional food vouchers for low-income seniors
to purchase items at farmers markets.
Offer more technical assistance and other efforts to ensure that the
benefits of turning agricultural and forest products into fuel go back
into local economies.
Provide flexible federal matching funds for extension, education and
applied research purposes, as well as boost funding to develop the next
generation of biofuels.
Build on energy independence initiatives, providing federal boosts
to efforts that are already underway in Wisconsin and other states.
Call for the digital divide affecting rural households and other underserved
groups to be eliminated within a decade, with the ultimate goal of providing
nationwide universal access to affordable broadband.
Encourage improvements in existing broadband programs to increase Internet
access and eventually bring rural areas universal affordable service.
Improve existing federal programs to better serve beginning farmers
and ranchers, giving them more resources, and target those resources
toward developing agricultural methods appropriate for small farmers.
“The strength of our rural communities is a big source of pride
in our state and this country, and this effort is a step toward helping
their economies grow in new directions,” Feingold said.
Feingold’s bill is supported by: Wisconsin Farmers Union; Sustainable
Agriculture Coalition; Stan Gruszynski, Director, Rural Leadership
and Community Development Program, UW Stevens Point; and the Community
Food Security Coalition.
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