USDA's Hall of Heroes gets new members

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently honored a number people for their contributions to farming.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently honored a number people for their contributions to farming.
Farm equipment users and people who live in rural areas may have benefitted from the contributions of many individuals.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced it will honor five of those who have helped farming develop by adding them to its Hall of Heroes. Norman Berg, Thomas Monroe Campbell, Justin Smith Morrill, and senators Tom Harkin and George McGovern will have their names added to plaques features at the Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the five inductees all dedicated their private and public lives to bettering food and agriculture.

"As a result, rural communities are stronger, people in America and throughout the world have abundant food, kids have access to more nutritious meals, and our public and private lands are better conserved," Vilsack said.

While the USDA honors the past, it is also making efforts to help bring agriculture into the future. The department offers a number of loans that may help pay for more environmentally friendly methods of powering farm operations. It is also working on ways to help rural communities grow their economies through grant opportunities.