USDA Expanding Poverty-Reduction Initiative

Ten western counties are among the 73 in Kentucky joining the StrikeForce initiative, a federal program designed to help poor rural communities take advantage of government resources.  The counties in our region are Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Todd, and Union. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says StrikeForce coordinates programs in community assistance, nutrition, farming, and resource conservation.  They also work with local service agencies and nonprofits to identify community needs where the USDA can help.  Vilsack says many USDA programs are underutilized, meaning money that could be spent in rural communities ends up going back to Washington.