Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Ed Avalos recently met with the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to gather input on how the Obama Administration can work with local businesses to improve economic conditions and create jobs.
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The event is one in a series of roundtables being held across the nation with senior Obama Administration officials on behalf of the White House Business Council.
“The White House Business Council is working to build a robust economic strategy to ensure that continued federal investments in rural communities and to connect rural businesses and farmers to consumers create maximum benefit for Americans,” said Avalos. “That includes creating jobs by modernizing critical infrastructure, expanding educational opportunities, supporting initiatives that connect farmers and consumers, and promoting the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products.”
The roundtable discussions offer government leaders the unique opportunity to hear directly from business leaders around the country to gather their ideas on how to grow the economy. They also are intended to educate participants about USDA programs and other federal resources that help businesses, residents, and communities.
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to expand opportunities for farmers and rural Americans, to connect them with urban and export markets, to put people back to work and to build thriving economies. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs creating job opportunities and for people for both rural communities and all in the supply chain. Under Secretary Avalos and USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs facilitate domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products, ensure the health and care of animals and plants, support farmers markets, urban agriculture and the larger web of food-hubs.