Aid for dairy farmers

The USDA has announced a program to benefit dairy farmers, who can apply for assistance before January 19, 2009. The Warren Times Observer highlights the impact this new program may have on local farmers in this article.

USDA to host job creation roundtables

The United States Department of Agriculture will be holding a series of forums and roundtables, which their press release describes as bringing together "business owners, community members, state and local officials, union members, non-profit organizations, economists and other interested parties. Participants will discuss on steps that can to be taken to grow the economy and put Americans back to work. Some of the roundtables may be regional in order to focus on shared interests, economic conditions and cooperative solutions."

According to DOLETA, "The primary focus will be on ideas to accelerate job growth in rural America. Some of the topics to be discussed are:

* exploring ways to rejuvenate and promote local businesses;
* Creating jobs by rebuilding America's infrastructure;
* Creating new opportunities from existing ones, such as with value-added agricultural products;
* Supporting job growth among small businesses; and
* Preparing workers for 21st century jobs."