Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was scheduled to hold a White House Rural Forum at 10 a.m. this morning at the Iowa State Fair with business and community leaders, farmers, ranchers and tribal leaders.

The purpose was to explore ways federal, state and local officials can work together to improve economic conditions and create jobs. 

Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, is chair of the White House Rural Council. He was scheduled to discuss the council’s new policy recommendations, which focus on key areas of need in rural America, including helping rural small businesses access capital, expanding rural job search and training services, and increasing rural access to health-care workers and technology.