During last week’s Farm Bill hearing, many of the invited speakers spoke to how they’re using USDA programs. Brandon Fewins, Michigan’s USDA Rural Development director, was encouraged to hear about one individual’s successes with Rural Development programs.
“As an agency, we partnered with the Community Development Financial Institution, providing them $267,000 since 2017, that they then turned around in targeted micro-loans to small businesses throughout various rural communities,” he says. “This is a shining example of not only the value of partnerships, but also how rural development can be an economic driver four our rural communities.”
Fewins says he’s thankful for both Sens. Debbie Stabenow and John Boozeman who have made it clear this bill will be backed by both sides of the aisle.
“To build upon the administration’s bipartisan infrastructure bill, the farm bill goes hand in hand with that,” says Fewins. “In our programs, that rural development really plays into that—whether that’s broadband expansion, whether it’s making access available to businesses, whether it’s helping families secure home loans, we’re at the forefront of this effort. We’re really excited to see where the process leads.”
He says he’s excited to see the work go into the 2023 Farm Bill over the next year and a half and to build upon the successful programs established in the 2018 bill.
