USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack

Washington, DC – Senate Democrats convened a Rural Summit with farmers, ranchers, and growers to discuss their efforts in building and strengthening a sustainable middle-class economy.

According to the USDA, rural America is home to 46 million people, covering more than 70 percent of our nation’s land area.  It supplies much of our food, energy, and labor and is home to millions of seniors and one-quarter of our nation’s veterans.

With the 2014 Farm Bill, and by holding the line on budget parity between defense and nondefense programs, Senate Democrats are fighting to secure the investments needed to lift seniors and children out of poverty and create job opportunities in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.