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Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Assistant to the Secretary Anne Hazlett Applauds FLOTUS Be Best Initiative
The First Lady’s policy initiative will help rural America, according to a Department of Agriculture official. Melania Trump’s campaign, Be Best, is a program that USDA says will be an important voice for the next generation of rural leaders. Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett says the campaign, which comes as the opioid epidemic is having a devastating impact on rural areas, will “build a strong foundation that supports families and children affected by the crisis.” The campaign will focus on the holistic wellness of American children, with three main pillars: well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse. President Donald Trump has previously directed USDA to focus on addressing the opioid crisis in rural communities. USDA has also partnered with the National Farmers Union and American Farm Bureau Federation to create FarmTownStrong, an initiative to address and overcome the epidemic.