News

Government to buy more biobased products

The Obama Administration is expanding government purchases of biobased products. That, along with promoting rural job creation and developing a rural healthcare workforce are what the administration says will strengthen the economy and move the country forward.

The President wants to expand the list of biobased products including paints, soaps and detergents developed from farm grown plants, rather than from petroleum, said Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

“He’s asked us to double the number of eligible items from the 9,000 that we have today to about 18,000, and the belief is that that’s going to encourage more manufacturing, encourage better job growth in rural America and also provide yet another income opportunity for our farmers, ranchers and producers,” said Secretary Vilsack, during an interview with Brownfield Ag News Wednesday.

Biobased products can be produced from crops, crop residue and even livestock waste, according to Secretary Vilsack.

“Imagination is the only thing that basically limits what we can do here,” said Secretary Vilsack, “and I think America’s getting back in the business of innovating, creating and being imaginative, and I think the ag economy and the biobased economy are two great opportunities for us.”

Additionally, the USDA and other agencies are providing about $15 million to promote innovation-fueled jobs. Plus, the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services will work with community and technical colleges to train Health Information Technology professionals to work in rural hospitals and clinics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the need for those workers will increase by 20 percent by 2016.

AUDIO: Tom Vilsack (5 min. MP3)