Obama Meets With Rural "Champions of Change"

"The best of the best" from across the US are honored by the President at the White House...

On July 6, President Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and Melody Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, met with eighteen farmers and ranchers, small business owners, community activists and educators who were being honored as "Rural Champions of Change." The roundtable followed the President establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council on June 9, which is designed to provide recommendations to enhance Administration efforts to create a vibrant rural economy. Barnes just posted a recap of the Champions meeting on the White House blog, and the White House Champions page (week 14) features bios and short video clips from the honorees, who came from fourteen states (full list at bottom of post). (Above: President Obama at the meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building; from left are Vilsack and Barnes)



"These rural champions represent the best of the best in their respective fields," Barnes wrote. "Our Champions for Change roundtable reminded me that across our country Americans are contributing to their communities, building local capacity and strengthening the fabric of our nation."



There was some foodie fun:



"Everyone enjoyed several laughs with President Obama, including a conversation about the best technique for roasting marshmallows!" Barnes wrote.



Above, the Champions pose with Vilsack.



Barnes' full post:



One of the most gratifying aspects of working in the White House is that you never know who you might see on a daily basis. A wonderful and diverse cadre of Americans pass through for meetings and events, including renowned scientists, members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and occasionally even entertainment celebrities. Often, these visitors represent the most talented leaders in their respective fields.



With this in mind, I was particularly pleased to recently participate in a Champions of Change roundtable with eighteen Rural Americans, representing the spectrum of excellence in Rural America. The group included farmers, ranchers, local educators, small business owners, and folks who are improving their communities through innovative actions. These rural champions represent the best of the best in their respective fields.



We were honored to be joined by President Obama, who shared his vision for economic growth and development in rural areas. The President highlighted the importance of exports in agricultural areas, and the critical nature of transportation issues. He emphasized the need for high-speed internet access and stated that rural areas should expect to have opportunities equivalent to those in other areas of the nation. The President also discussed the importance of identifying rural Americans’ success stories and sharing that knowledge across the country.



And that was precisely what the Rural Champions roundtable was all about. Learning about the innovation that’s led to success in rural America. I was pleased to hear from a couple from Georgia who are using their family farm to develop alternative energy sources and contributing to their local economy. Similarly, I was inspired to learn about an Illinois project dedicated to assisting female farmers improve their operations and become more profitable. And I learned from a Texan about local efforts to grow local talent and a high-skilled labor pool. Everyone enjoyed the rich conversation and the opportunity to exchange ideas about innovation and economic diversification. It was also a moment to experience the camaraderie of the group as everyone enjoyed several laughs with President Obama, including a conversation about the best technique for roasting marshmallows!



Our Champions for Change roundtable reminded me that across our country Americans are contributing to their communities, building local capacity and strengthening the fabric of our nation. Rural Americans may not see themselves as champions, but they represent the kind of innovation and extraordinary achievement that make the United States great.



If you visit a farm machinery dealership anywhere in the country and ask for a “Champion,” you would likely be given a spark plug. As I sat with our 18 Rural Champions for Change, I saw the talent, energy and “can-do” spirit that serve as a daily spark for America.



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On the flip side of the food coin, chefs who have been major participants in First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign were honored as Champions of Change in April.



The Rural Champions...

Deborah Kane, Vice President of Food and Farms at Ecotrust, a non-profit in Oregon (l); Lance Morgan is an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and President, CEO, and co-founder of Ho-Chunk, Inc.; Roland Arriola, who formed the Texas Valley Communities Foundation; Linda Barnes, a professor of biology at the Marshalltown Community College and also an organic farmer, who founded the Sustainable and Entrepreneurial Agriculture Program; Huszagh and Crista Carrell; family farmers; Jason Frerichs, a fourth generation farmer/rancher, educator, and lawmaker from Wilmot, SD; Everett Dobrinski, a farmer from North Dakota who is a leader in co-operatives with farming.



Ross Racine, Executive Director of Intertribal Agriculture Council (l); P.J. Haynie, who serves on USDA's Plant Rick Variety Protection Act Board and on the Agricultural Advisory Council for Virginia's first congressional district; Ruth Hambleton, founder of Annie’s Project in Illinois; Sue Noble, Executive Director at the Vernon Economic Development Association in Wisconsin; Linda Roberson is the Town Manager and Finance Director of Zolfo Springs, a very small rural town in Florida; Eric Rund, a corn farmer and founder of Green Flame Energy; Mark Timm, owner of Colby Creek Stables; Bruce Ward, founder of the nonprofit organization Choose Outdoors; and Jacqueline and Glen Young, farmers who are tornado survivors and were helped by USDA.



*Top photo by Pete Souza/White House; others via White House; second by Lance Cheung/USDA.



Group photo ids, beginning from L to R back row: Vilsack; Ross Racine, Bruce Ward, Everett Max Dobrinski, Rick Huszagh, Crista Carrell, Jacqueline Young, Glen Young, Philip Johnson Haynie, III, Linda Roberson, and Jason Frerichs. (Front row, left to right) Lance Morgan, Mark Timm, Deborah Kane, Eric Benjamin Rund, Ruth Hambleton, Sue Noble, Linda Barnes, and Roland Arriola.