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are adding ten more. These include the Dakotas, the Carolinas, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
• We have seen positive results from our early efforts. For example, in Strike Force areas, applications for Farm Service Agency direct farm loans were up last year, even as the number of applications nationwide was down slightly.
• USDA investment in rural community facilities projects doubled. These investments provide a wide range of assistance for small towns - everything from helping improve a rural medical center to providing better access to clean drinking water for rural residents.
• Our partnerships in StrikeForce areas also helped to increase the number of children receiving healthy meals under USDA's Summer Food Service Program by more than 800,000.
• At USDA, we're dedicated to helping all communities address the challenge of persistent poverty. There's much yet to be done, but the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity is an important step forward.
• We have created a web page with further information on this effort - available at www.usda.gov/StrikeForce. I would encourage folks to visit, learn more about USDA's work, and find out how we're increasing partnership to alleviate poverty across rural America.

• Services for Margaret Sippel, 91, of Groton, will be 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2nd at St. John's Lutheran Church, Groton.  Rev. Craig Grams will officiate.  Burial will take place at a later date in Groton Union Cemetery.
• Visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 4-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00p.m.
• Margaret died March 27, 2013 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen.