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$770 million for rural progress

By Farms.com

In a significant push towards rural revitalization, the USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Neera Tanden, announced funding exceeding $770 million aimed at upgrading rural America's infrastructure. This landmark move, revealed in Edgecombe County, N.C., signifies a crucial step in fulfilling the Investing in America agenda, ensuring that rural communities are no longer left behind.

The funding will support a wide array of projects designed to bring state-of-the-art services to rural areas, including high-speed internet through the Reconnect and Broadband Technical Assistance Programs, and initiatives to provide clean drinking water and modern wastewater systems.  

These efforts are expected to impact positively over 1 million residents across the nation, fostering economic growth and improving living standards. 

Special emphasis is placed on expanding digital connectivity, with substantial grants allocated to extend broadband services in rural, remote, and underserved communities. The initiative also includes significant investments to bolster rural utilities, ensuring access to clean water and enhancing waste management systems, crucial for public health and environmental sustainability. 

The announcement underscores the administration's dedication to addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities, highlighting the importance of infrastructure in achieving economic prosperity and equity.  

By investing in critical areas such as internet access, clean water, and efficient infrastructure, the Biden-Harris Administration aims to pave the way for a brighter, more connected future for rural America.


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California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.