(NAFB) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is partnering with the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement to strengthen the nation’s rural workforce.

USDA’S Acting Rural Development Undersecretary Roger Glendenning made the announcement this week. Through this partnership, USDA and the Alliance will provide community college students in the Midwest with the resources and skill sets that will help them advance in careers in agriculture and rural economic development. This will help ensure America’s rural communities have the leaders and workforce needed to thrive.

“USDA works with rural communities to make sure people everywhere have the resources they need to access quality education and good-paying jobs,” Glendenning says. “That’s why we’re finding new ways to work with our partners to ensure our students have the tools they will need to succeed in their coursework today so they can thrive in their careers tomorrow.”