Post

Ohio to receive USDA StrikeForce assistance

An initiative to address persistent poverty in Ohio has been announced.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says 11 counties will be eligible for technical assistance through the agency’s StrikeForce initiative.

“And we are going to focus the attention of our great people here in Ohio who are working for USDA on those 11 counties and bring to bear the resources that they have the capacity to invest,” Vilsack said.

Tony Logan, State Director of Ohio Rural Development says USDA staff will be responsible for working with other partners to increase awareness of USDA programs.

“The lead agency is the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this year, the Rural Development Agency is part of it and also the Farm Service Agency (FSA), but we are also reaching out to U.S. Forest Service and Food and Nutrition Service, they’ll perform an essential roll as well,” Logan said.

In 2015, the USDA’s StrikeForce initiative invested nearly $7.5 billion to create jobs, build homes, feed children, assist farmers and conserve natural resources in 880 counties in the U.S.

The 11 counties in Ohio include: Adams, Athens, Fayette, Guernsey, Jackson, Lucas, Meigs, Morgan, Pike, Scioto and Vinton.

Audio: Tony Logan, State Director, Ohio Rural Development