USDA announces 18 Town Hall Meetings to gather local input

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies will hold town hall meetings at 18 locations across Montana to discuss opportunities for and barriers to maximizing access to USDA programs and services.

In early 2016, 13 Montana counties and the seven tribal nations were designated as “StrikeForce” areas, a rural growth and opportunity initiative launched by USDA in 2010 in economically challenged areas to improve USDA services by building partnerships to help challenged communities shape a future based on local assets and regional strengths.

Montana leaders from the USDA Natural Resources Conse...