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USDA report touts benefits of bio-based products

A new USDA report touts the benefits of bio-based products to the U.S. economy.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the report, which focuses on items such as bioplastics and bottles, bio-based chemicals and textiles, outlines exciting opportunities for rural America.

“This report underscores that we’re dealing with an industry that has, already today, a 369 billion dollar impact,” Vilsack says, “and I think we’ve just begun to focus on this industry.”

Vilsack also announced that USDA is expanding its BioPreferred Program. “This the program that is encouraging the federal government to purchase products that are bio-based,” he says.

Vilsack says an expansion of the bio-economy could attract manufacturing to rural communities and increase market opportunities for farmers.