Growing up on Whidbey Island I loved to explore the tidepools, swim in the lakes, and hike in the forests. I still do. That is how I came to understand the importance of caring for our planet and protecting the health of our rural areas.
This Earth Week people around the world and right here in Washington state are celebrating the ways we can make our world a better place. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proud to celebrate Earth Day. We are committed to unleashing the potential of rural and tribal communities to build a secure and successful future for all. By partnering with rural communities and tribes, USDA Rural Development invests in our planet in many ways.
For example, dozens of rural small businesses and agricultural producers can lower their utility costs and reduce their carbon footprint with help from Snohomish Conservation District, which was awarded a $100,000 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant from USDA to provide local support with energy-efficiency projects and/or to install renewable energy systems. Similarly, the Northwest Indian College will use a $100,000 grant to conduct energy audits for solar renewable energy site assessments to help Tribal rural small businesses and Tribal agricultural producers in our state. This will provide the technical assistance necessary to make energy-efficiency improvements to these operations and/or install renewable energy systems.
These investments are good for the planet, create jobs for rural people, and ensure that the resources and wealth we build in Washington will stay right here in Washington.
For more information visit www.rd.usda.gov/wa.
Helen Price Johnson
USDA Rural Development
Clinton
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