I would like to take this opportunity to inform and invite you, your staff and members to the Rural Tour, a Community Forum at the Iowa State Fair grounds on August 19, 2009.
United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be at the Iowa State Fair to seek input, hear ideas, and answers questions from 9:30 am - 11:00 am on August 19, 2009.
Please see the attached Rural Tour Announcement for additional details. [I've pasted it below John's message.]

I look forward to seeing you at this event and working with your organization in the future.
Please feel free to contact our office at 515-254-1540 Ext. 480 if you have any questions or need additional information. Please pass this information on to any interested parties.

John R. Whitaker
State Executive Director
USDA Farm Service Agency

You are invited to a Community Forum with United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in Des Moines, Iowa on August 19, 2009. Secretary Vilsack is leading the Obama Administration’s Rural Tour – which is an opportunity to discuss the efforts by the Administration to rebuild and revitalize rural America.

At each stop on the Rural Tour, Secretary Vilsack has been listening to local residents about how USDA can assist them, and discussing solutions to the challenges facing their communities.

So please bring your thoughts, ideas and questions. Your input and participation would be greatly appreciated.

While the Community Forum is open to the public, you will need to purchase a ticket to the State Fair to get into the fairgrounds. Information about tickets to the State Fair and a map of the fairgrounds are located at http://www.iowastatefair.com/ .

No RSVP is needed for this event. If you have any questions, you may email [log in to unmask] or call us at 877-85-RURAL; 877-85-78725.

Be sure to check out our website WWW.RURALTOUR.GOV and share your thoughts and ideas about the tour and rural America.