(Washington, D.C., Dec 12, 2018) – Anne Hazlett, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, today applauded President Donald Trump for establishing a White House Council to carry out the Administration’s plan to encourage public and private investment in urban and economically distressed areas, including qualified opportunity zones.
Hazlett issued the following statement:
“Today’s executive order is another example of ‘Promises Made, Promises Kept’ for President Trump. Private investment in rural America is fundamental to rural prosperity. Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with local communities to increase rural prosperity through greater economic opportunity and quality of life. With incentives to drive greater investment in rural America, we will have new and powerful tools to foster revitalization, create jobs and promote sustainable economic growth in small towns and rural areas in every corner of this country.”
USDA Rural Development programs will award priority points on applications from private sector intermediaries for projects built in opportunity zone census tracks as well as in other select programs for projects that directly benefit communities located in Opportunity Zones.
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(Waimea, HI, December 12, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to “establish a framework to allow the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and WGA to work collaboratively to accomplish mutual goals, further common interests, and effectively respond to the increasing suite of challenges facing western landscapes.”
Specifically, the agreement was signed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, WGA Chair and Governor of Hawai’i David Ige, and WGA Vice Chair and Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum. The MOU commits the USFS and WGA to a “more integrated approach to prioritizing investments where they will have the greatest impact and will work together to set priorities that address risk across broad landscapes.” Following the signing, Secretary Perdue and Governor Ige issued these statements:
“Governors possess primary decision-making authority for management of state resources, including many resources on federal lands. Being a ‘good neighbor’ is an essential component in USDA’s work, which is why this MOU is so important,” said Secretary Perdue. “USDA’s Forest Service will work shoulder-to-shoulder with WGA to co-manage risks and identify land management priorities. As authentic collaborators, the states and federal government will improve service to the public by creating more efficient, effective, and long-lasting policy.”
“This is an important step in cooperatively addressing land management challenges,” said Governor Ige. “We recognize that no one agency or level of government has the capacity to deal with all of these risks alone. This MOU puts us on a path to working closely on these serious matters.”
Background:
The agreement, announced at the WGA 2018 Winter Meeting in Hawai’i, is an outgrowth of two ongoing activities: the Shared Stewardship Initiative of the USDA, and the National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative of Western Governors.
Federal, state and private managers of forests and rangelands face a multitude of urgent challenges, including catastrophic wildfires, invasive species, degraded watersheds, and epidemics of insects and disease. The conditions fueling these circumstances are not improving, as demonstrated by the devastating wildfires of 2018.
The USFS announced a new strategy earlier this year to work more closely with states to identify landscape-scale priorities for targeted treatments. Over the past two years, Western Governors have been examining a wide variety of land management challenges, including those involving large landscapes with multiple ownerships.
The holidays are here and while that’s a festive time for most, some people, including children can feel sadder. Developmental psychologist Dr. Kim Metcalfe says parents should be on the lookout for warning signs. “Even amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, parents should plan some downtime to give kids attention, increasing the chances they’ll spot some warning signs.” She has tips on how to help kids who are struggling with self-esteem and other mental health issues.
About Kim Metcalfe
Dr. Kim Metcalfe, a retired professor of early childhood education and psychology, is the author of Let’s Build ExtraOrdinary Youth Together (www.xtraordinaryyouth.com). She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the California Association for the Education of Young Children, and the American Psychological Association. Dr. Metcalfe has a doctorate degree in Educational Developmental Psychology. To honor her late daughter, Abigail Elise Metcalfe, Dr. Metcalfe founded Abbey’s Purple Winged Angels Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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Bishop Votes to Pass Farm Bill
“Most Western-friendly Farm Bill”
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2 - Agriculture Improvement Act (Farm Bill). In December, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) selected Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) to negotiate the final version of the Farm Bill as a member of the House-Senate conference committee. Bishop voted in favor of the measure, and offered the following statement:
“This legislation is one of the most western-friendly Farm Bills to come through Congress in some time. This bill is good for Utah and good for America. Utah’s farmers and ranchers will find stronger support, enhanced certainty, and flexibility as they do their work. Especially for dairy farmers, these measures are long overdue.”
SELECTED PROVISIONS WITHIN THE CONFERENCE REPORT:
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