--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The rural economy is significantly…" description: "\"The rural economy is significantly better. Our natural resources, particularly our working lands, are more resilient. And more money is being invested ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/tom-vilsack-8494_conservation_the-rural-economy-is-significantly-bette_1071027.jpg" --- # The rural economy is significantly better. Our natural… ![“The rural economy is significantly better. Our natural resources, particularly our working lands, are more resilient. And more money is being invested in soil conservation and water preservation. Our forests will be in better shape if Congress does what it needs to do to fix the fire-suppression…” quote by Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/tom-vilsack-8494_conservation_the-rural-economy-is-significantly-bette_1071027.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/tom-vilsack-8494_conservation_the-rural-economy-is-significantly-bette_1071027.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/630/tom-vilsack-8494_conservation_the-rural-economy-is-significantly-bette_1071027.jpg) > “The rural economy is significantly better. Our natural resources, particularly our working lands, are more resilient. And more money is being invested in soil conservation and water preservation. Our forests will be in better shape if Congress does what it needs to do to fix the fire-suppression budget.” [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Investing in soil, water, and forest management strengthens rural economies and ecosystem resilience, but requires adequate funding and policy support. **In simple terms:** Investing in land and water helps rural areas and nature. Key Takeaway Support policies that fund conservation. Themes environment economy policy resilience agriculture Mood concerned optimistic Type policy environmental economic When to use this quote - farmers - landowners - policy makers - conservation NGOs - local communities Key Concepts sustainability ecosystem services public investment Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance short‑term costs with long‑term environmental benefits? - What incentives motivate private investment in conservation? A Different Perspective Budget constraints and political opposition can delay needed investments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservation/) [Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy/) [Natural resources](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-resources/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Resilient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resilient/) [Rural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rural/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [Let us build a 21st-century rural economy of cutting-edge companies and technologies that lead us to energy and food security. Such an investment will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/let-us-build-a-21st-century-rural-economy-of-cutting-edge-companies/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [Healthy and nourishing food was the only alpha and omega of rural economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/healthy-and-nourishing-food-was-the-only-alpha-and-omega-of-rural/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [People are important too, however, and what a terrible impact a total ban on hunting would have on the rural economy, which is still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-winterton/people-are-important-too-however-and-what-a-terrible-impact-a-total/) Ann Winterton > [We need more food, more forests, better livelihoods for smallholder farmers, and lower emissions. If we want any of them, we must have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-polman/we-need-more-food-more-forests-better-livelihoods-for-smallholder/) [Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-polman/) > [Nothing should be permitted to stand in the way of the preservation of the forests, and it is criminal to permit individuals to purchase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/nothing-should-be-permitted-to-stand-in-the-way-of-the-preservation/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The only trouble with the movement for the preservation of our forests is that it has not gone nearly far enough, and was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-only-trouble-with-the-movement-for-the-preservation-of-our/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The practical importance of the preservation of our forests is augmented by their relations to climate, soil and streams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/the-practical-importance-of-the-preservation-of-our-forests-is/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [And sometimes people don't realize that 90 percent of the persistent poverty counties are located in rural America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/and-sometimes-people-don-t-realize-that-90-percent-of-the-persistent/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [I think we have not done a good job of explaining to people in rural America what is actually happening, number one. And, number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/i-think-we-have-not-done-a-good-job-of-explaining-to-people-in-rural/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [There is more potential for economic growth in rural America than at any time in decades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/there-is-more-potential-for-economic-growth-in-rural-america-than-at/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [You know, rural Americans are a special people. Their labor puts food on our table and fuel in our gas tanks. Their service in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/you-know-rural-americans-are-a-special-people-their-labor-puts-food/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [People don't understand rural America. Sixteen percent of our population is rural, but 40 percent of our military is rural. I don't believe that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/people-don-t-understand-rural-america-sixteen-percent-of-our/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [I think the Democrats have - we really have failed to be in rural America, in the sense of having our leaders spending time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/i-think-the-democrats-have-we-really-have-failed-to-be-in-rural/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [Sixteen percent of our population is rural, but 40 percent of our military is rural. I don't believe that's because of a lack of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/sixteen-percent-of-our-population-is-rural-but-40-percent-of-our/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [Although they are some of the hardest working folks I know, rural Americans earn, on average, $11,000 less than their urban counterparts each year.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/although-they-are-some-of-the-hardest-working-folks-i-know-rural/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) ## More by Tom Vilsack > [In the past 40 years, the United States lost more than a million farmers and ranchers. Many of our farmers are aging. Today, only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/in-the-past-40-years-the-united-states-lost-more-than-a-million/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [Hillary Clinton was in rural America during the Iowa caucuses, but I think the nature of a campaign makes it more difficult once you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/hillary-clinton-was-in-rural-america-during-the-iowa-caucuses-but-i/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [To help producers serve larger institutional customers like schools and hospitals, USDA has helped fund new regional infrastructure like cold storage warehouses, commercial kitchens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/to-help-producers-serve-larger-institutional-customers-like-schools/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [The lack of access to proper nutrition is not only fueling obesity, it is leading to food insecurity and hunger among our children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/the-lack-of-access-to-proper-nutrition-is-not-only-fueling-obesity-it/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/small-businesses-are-the-lifeblood-of-our-economy/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [I can't give you a specific number today, in large part because the analysis upon which we would make that determination has not been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/i-can-t-give-you-a-specific-number-today-in-large-part-because-the/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [To amplify our efforts, USDA is joining with First Lady Michelle Obama in aggressively promoting the 'Let's Move' campaign, which will combat the epidemic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/to-amplify-our-efforts-usda-is-joining-with-first-lady-michelle-obama/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [We're going to move from a commodity economy where you basically grow the same kind of crops - where a kernel of corn is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/we-re-going-to-move-from-a-commodity-economy-where-you-basically-grow/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [Although they are some of the hardest working folks I know, rural Americans earn, on average, $11,000 less than their urban counterparts each year.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/although-they-are-some-of-the-hardest-working-folks-i-know-rural/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [President Obama has expressed his commitment to responsible stewardship of our land, water, and other natural resources. And one way of restoring the land…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/president-obama-has-expressed-his-commitment-to-responsible/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [Strong communities ... embrace change. New discoveries require us to think differently and approach things differently, to think anew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/strong-communities-embrace-change-new-discoveries-require-us-to-think/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [I don't know of a Democrat - whether they're a conservative, a centrist or a liberal Democrat - that doesn't think that it's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/i-don-t-know-of-a-democrat-whether-they-re-a-conservative-a-centrist/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [Sixteen percent of our population is rural, but 40 percent of our military is rural. I don't believe that's because of a lack of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/sixteen-percent-of-our-population-is-rural-but-40-percent-of-our/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [People working together in a strong community with a shared goal and a common purpose can make the impossible possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/people-working-together-in-a-strong-community-with-a-shared-goal-and/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [There are children with dreams counting on us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/there-are-children-with-dreams-counting-on-us/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) [Explore all 80 Tom Vilsack quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) ## More Conservation quotes > [“In the United States law, federally designated wilderness is famously defined as 'an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-marris/in-the-united-states-law-federally-designated-wilderness-is-famously/) [Emma Marris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-marris/) > [I believe humans have souls, and I believe in the conservation of souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-believe-humans-have-souls-and-i-believe-in-the-conservation-of-souls/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Conservation and rural-life policies are really two sides of the same policy; and down at the bottom this policy rests upon the fundamental law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/conservation-and-rural-life-policies-are-really-two-sides-of-the-same/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Soft fantasy worlds have a much looser cause-and-effect relationship. Alchemists can turn lead into gold and nobody wonders about how it will impact the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/soft-fantasy-worlds-have-a-much-looser-cause-and-effect-relationship/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I am optimistic globally. So many scientists are working frantically on the reparation of our planet. Unfortunately there are countries who are still destroying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-irwin/i-am-optimistic-globally-so-many-scientists-are-working-frantically/) [Steve Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-irwin/) > [We must commit ourselves to an 'all of the above' energy approach, with a major focus on increasing domestic production and expanding alternatives fuels,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-roskam/we-must-commit-ourselves-to-an-all-of-the-above-energy-approach-with/) [Peter Roskam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-roskam/) > [Listing the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act could harm bear conservation efforts by eliminating revenues from the carefully-regulated sport hunting of polar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-ridenour/listing-the-polar-bear-under-the-endangered-species-act-could-harm/) Amy Ridenour > [Conservation is humanity caring for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-newhall/conservation-is-humanity-caring-for-the-future/) Nancy Newhall > [In our attempt to make conservation easy, we have made it trivial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldo-leopold/in-our-attempt-to-make-conservation-easy-we-have-made-it-trivial/) [Aldo Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldo-leopold/) > [When you defile the pleasant streams, And the wild bird's abiding place, You massacre a million dreams, And cast your spittle in God's face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-drinkwater/when-you-defile-the-pleasant-streams-and-the-wild-bird-s-abiding/) [John Drinkwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-drinkwater/) > [It's clear that it is in the best interest of business to be part of the conservation, along with governments and civil society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/it-s-clear-that-it-is-in-the-best-interest-of-business-to-be-part-of/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [To Jane Jacob’s three traditional urban values of civic space, human scale and diversity, the current environmental imperative adds two more: conservation and regionalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-calthorpe/to-jane-jacob-s-three-traditional-urban-values-of-civic-space-human/) Peter Calthorpe > [Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed; if we permit the last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/something-will-have-gone-out-of-us-as-a-people-if-we-ever-let-the/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [There is no domestic issue more important to America in the long run than the conservation and proper use of our natural resources, including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/there-is-no-domestic-issue-more-important-to-america-in-the-long-run/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem it will avail us little to solve all others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-conservation-of-natural-resources-is-the-fundamental-problem/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) [Browse all 579 Conservation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The rural economy is significantly better. Our natural resources, particularly our working lands, are more resilient. And more money is being invested in soil conservation and water preservation. 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