Both the House and Senate are in session this week. Here is a snapshot of what is going on in the Beltway.  

Monday, April 18

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will join two other rural community experts to discuss the cost of poverty in rural America at the Farm Foundation Forum on Monday. The forum will be 9-11 a.m. (EDT) in the Holeman Lounge of the National Press Club, 519 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. A free, live audiocast will also be available.

"Poverty is a seed that breeds many cancers in individuals, families and communities -- both urban and rural," said Neil Conklin, president of Farm Foundation, NFP. "It is a complex, multidimensional problem for which there are no simple answers. It is critical, however, that we bring these issues to the forefront to be better understood so that work can begin on finding solutions."

There is no charge to participate in the April 18 forum, but registration is requested. Register HERE if you plan to attend the forum in person at the National Press Club. Register HERE to participate in the live audiocast. Audiocasting is made possible by a grant from Farm Credit.

After the event, an audio file is posted to the Farm Foundation website for those unable to be part of the live event.

Tuesday, April 19

House Ag Subcommittee Hearing on Tightening Credit - The House Committee on Agriculture's Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit Subcommittee will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on the "Farm Economy: Tightening Credit Conditions." To watch the event live or archived afterwards via webcast, click here.

Wednesday, April 20

Vilsack will speak at the American University Food Tank Summit on local and regional foods in Washington, D.C.

Thursday, April 21

Vilsack will deliver remarks to the Hamilton Project Policy Forum on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) at the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C.

On April 21-28, Vilsack will travel to Japan and Vietnam for the G7 ministerial.