Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland hosted USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small in Washington’s 10th Congressional District with the Pierce Conservation District to tour The Farm at Franklin Pierce Schools.
The pair spoke with several stakeholders about the importance of the 2023 Farm Bill Reauthorization and the need to expand minority land ownership, SNAP and nutritional benefits, and educational access, especially for underrepresented communities.
“It was a pleasure to host Under Secretary Torres Small in the South Sound,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. “Federal investments in our rural communities and agricultural programs provide access and economic opportunity for farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration knows that people in rural America provide the everyday essentials we all depend on, including the energy we use. Thanks to leaders like Representative Strickland, USDA and Pierce Conservation District can help agricultural producers across rural Washington access the resources they need to make energy-efficiency improvements so their businesses can thrive,” said Xochitl Torres Small, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development.
“We were honored to share our passion for agricultural education in our area schools,” notes Pierce Conservation District Executive Director, Dana Coggon, “Our work to support the environmental and economic health of rural communities in Pierce County benefits from Rep. Strickland’s support of the Farm Bill and her willingness to showcase this model program.”
The Farm at Franklin Pierce represents public education at its finest. In conjunction with community partners, students develop as leaders, as scholars, and as active members of their community. They do this through connecting with the land and growing delicious food that nourishes our community. We were delighted to host Congresswoman Strickland and Undersecretary Torres Small so they could witness amazing Franklin Pierce students in action,” said Franklin Pierce Schools Superintendent, Lance Goodpaster.
The Franklin Pierce School District site is helping to fight local food insecurity by utilizing its USDA Rural Development funding to educate students and provide hands-on training for new and interested growers as an opportunity towards owning their own businesses and growing for their own farm.
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