(NAFB.com) – Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small spoke during a meeting of the Western Governors Association and covered a number of topics. Small says USDA is investing almost $66 million in projects to reduce wildfire risk, protect water quality, and improve forest health across the nation. She also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Western Governors’ Association that reestablished the framework for cooperatively responding to the many challenges faced across the Western landscapes. The memorandum also fosters better integration of forest and rangeland health and wildfire risk reduction projects across different land ownerships. “People across rural America face growing wildfire threats to their homes, business, infrastructure, and resources,” says Torres Small. “Through the investments we are announcing, we are investing in state and local governments, Tribal partners, and private landowners to ensure our landscapes are healthy, our infrastructure is strong, and our communities stay safe from the risk of wildfires.”