WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP): U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says Purdue University researchers are helping in diverse ways such as the development of biofuels and identifying how to address rural poverty.
 
Vilsack toured Purdue University facilities on Tuesday as part of a two-day visit to the West Lafayette campus.
 
Vilsack tells WLFI-TV that Purdue scientists are on the cutting edge of developing biofuel technology that could help rebuild the rural economy.
 
The former Iowa governor tells the Journal & Courier that rural counties make up 95 percent of those with the highest child poverty rates and data gathered by the Purdue Extension Service is helping better direct government programs.