U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and two rural community experts are joining together to discuss the cost of poverty in rural America at the Farm Foundation Forum on Monday, April 18, 2016.

The Forum will be held at 9 am in the Holeman Lounge of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. A free, live audiocast will also be available.

“Poverty is a seed that breeds many cancers in individuals, families and communities–both urban and rural,” says Neil Conklin, President of Farm Foundation, NFP. “It is a complex, multi-dimensional problem for which there are no simple answers. It is critical, however, that we bring these issues to the forefront to be better understood so that work can begin on finding solutions.”

The Carsey Institute of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire recently completed a study that recognized how poverty, specifically childhood poverty, is spreading in intensity across the country and disproportionately so in rural America. Additional work done at Purdue University has highlighted the effects of childhood poverty on long-term health. The costs of poverty are seen in academic performance, underused human capacity, health costs, addictions, criminal activities and community infrastructure.

“Secretary Vilsack is providing leadership to address these issues through his role as chair of the White House Rural Council. We are excited to have him join us for this discussion,” Conklin added.

Jason Henderson, Director of Extension at Purdue University, will moderate the discussion. Also featured on the panel will be William Bynum, CEO of Hope Enterprise Corporation and Hope Credit Union, a regional community development financial institution and policy center based in Jackson, MS. After discussion by the panelists, the floor will be opened for questions.

Register here to attend the forum in person.

Register here to participate in the live audio cast.
Both events are free of charge.