Public Domain Picture: 20110706-OSEC-LSC-0001

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talks with Linda Roberson, Rural Town Manager, Zolfo Springs, Florida., attended a meeting at the White House, in Washington, DC, on July 6, 2011. She was asked to participate along with President Barack Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the President's Domestic Policy Adviser Melody Barnes and rural communities leaders from across the country for the White House Rural Champions of Change event to strengthen rural communities and promote economic growth. : Linda Roberson is the Town Manager and Finance Director of Zolfo Springs, Florida. The Town Zolfo Springs in a very small rural town in Hardee County, Florida. The town has financed 2 water and waste projects, purchased a back hoe, and a city hall ADA improvement project. They have worked very hard to mitigate issues with their old water system and have been successful in that effort. The town was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Charlie in 2004. Since then they city has rebuilt its police and fire station and continues to make efforts to improve the town both structurally and financially. They provide a self-nomination for the Community Development award that has more details. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

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May 2, 2014