This week, our focus on the nation's rural communities takes a look at a few of the ways USDA is helping create rural jobs and opportunities that are responsive to a 21st century economy and help to build a sustainable economic future for rural America.
A new report released by USDA last week shows that in 2013, the biobased industry contributed $369 billion and 4 million jobs to the American economy. This new report is the first to quantify the economic activity surrounding the biobased products industry and points to the positive impact our investments have had on jobs and the economy in rural communities. Changes in the 2014 Farm Bill will create additional opportunities for the renewable plant-based materials industry, enabling continued growth and investment in this successful program.
Deputy Secretary Harden traveled to the Rochester Public Market in New York to visit with local farmers about the importance of both urban and rural agriculture. While there, she took the opportunity to discuss what USDA is doing to cultivate a new generation of farmers and ranchers. And in op-eds in papers in Missouri, Massachusetts, Virginia and Ohio she detailed investments that USDA is making across the country to help local food businesses grow. In the past two years alone, USDA has made more than 500 investments in food hubs, local processing facilities and distribution networks.
And to boost economic opportunities for rural cooperatives, we are accepting applications for grants to help rural coops develop new markets for their products and services. This access to capital will help cooperatives in rural areas get started, expand, and boost sales, marketing and business. For additional information, and to find out if you are eligible, see the June 15, 2015 Federal Register or contact the USDA Rural Development State Office.