Release No. 0226.09 Contact: Weldon Freeman (202) 690-1384 WASHINGTON, June 26, 2009 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 11 organizations to receive $6.9 million in loans to spur economic development and create or save an estimated 465 jobs in rural communities. “Creating jobs and investing in the future of rural America […]

You may have heard the phrase, “it takes a community to raise a child”, but what does it take to make a community? From the word community comes the Latin derivative “communis” meaning “common, public, shared by many.” If you break the word communis down a little further “com” (together) and “munis” (performing services) you […]

On her weekly golf show, Sarah Haas recently told me that there is an interesting effort underway.  She said that a major golf association from Chicago was working to partner with the Southern Illinois Golf Association to market each others golf assets. We would highlight, of course, the Southern Illinois Golf Trail. I admit that […]