Fargo, North Dakota - Today, at a homestead in Fargo, Wes Clark told North Dakotans about his Rural and Farm Security Plan. Clark promised to fire up the rural economy.

"I grew up in a rural state, and I've always believed that farming isn't just a way to make a living, it's a way of life," Clark said. "Unfortunately, today, hard work isn't getting our rural communities where it used to." In fact, reports show that in the coming decade, North Dakotan farmers are projected to lose between 23 and 63 percent of their profits.

"We must do more to ensure that America's family farmers and ranchers can prosper," Clark insisted as he outlined his Rural and Farm Security Plan:

• Jumpstart job creation. Direct $100 billion toward job creation without increasing the deficit by one dime, by reducing the tax cuts President Bush gave to the wealthiest Americans - those making more than $200,000 a year. Provide incentives for businesses to locate in rural communities.

• Make sure markets work fairly for farmers and ranchers. Fight to further open markets to American goods. Ensure that U.S. trade laws are strictly enforced. Devote resources necessary to enforce anti-trust and marketing laws.

• Upgrade rural infrastructure. Fix the crumbling highways, bridges, rail and water systems that serve our agricultural heartland. Also, upgrade broadband infrastructure so hospitals, schools, and businesses better serve rural populations.

• Improve access to quality education and health care. Rebuild crumbling rural schools, reverse the trend toward school consolidation, and close the pay gap for rural teachers. Provide universal coverage for every American up to the age of 22 and universal access to affordable insurance for all Americans. Plus, give doctors incentives to practice in rural areas, expand access to telemedicine, and ensure equity in Medicare reimbursement rates for rural healthcare providers.

• Promote conservation and renewable energy. Invest in renewable sources like wind, ethanol, and biomass with tax credits and other incentives. Provide technical assistance so farmers and ranchers can take advantage of these opportunities. Fight for full funding of the Conservation Security Program, to make it easier to maintain profitable and environmentally sustainable operations.

• Better risk management tools. Provide improved risk management tools so that family farmers and ranchers can better protect themselves against production and marketing uncertainties. Seriously study meaningful crop insurance reform.

• Increase flexibility. Support farm program policies that let farmers and ranchers add value to their land and raise new crops or livestock.

"Rural America is facing historic challenges and our leadership has not risen to meet those challenges," Clark said. "I will make the right choices for rural Americans and provide the leadership to fire up our heartland's economy."