USDA Strengthens Rural Communities
Every Day, Every Way - USDA strengthens rural communities through its programs and services that reflect the wide variety of ways we touch the lives of the American people. These programs provide funding to ensure that farmers continue to contribute to local economies, take steps to build and preserve critical infrastructure in communities across America and implement new resource conservation measures. Through a greater focus on food and food systems, we provide the foundation and opportunities for farmers and ranchers to succeed and rural America to thrive while ensuring everyone can eat fresh, healthy and delicious local food.
Building a foundation for success and prosperity for the new, 21st century economy will take a collective and collaborative effort with all of us talking, debating and solving together. Join us now!
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (RD)
The program provides information to farmers and other rural users on a variety of sustainable agricultural practices that include both cropping and livestock operations. The program encourages agricultural producers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices which allow them to maintain or improve profits, produce high quality food and reduce adverse impacts to the environment. The program is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. » More...
Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program
The purpose of the B&I program is to help new and existing businesses based in rural areas gain access to affordable capital. By issuing a guarantee to a private lender, USDA essentially co-signs the loan to a business owner, promising to pay a portion of any loss that might result in case the business owner is unable to repay the loan. Having the guarantee lowers the lender's risk, allowing more favorable interest rates and terms to be offered. » More...
Community Facilities Program
The Community Facilities Program supports the success of rural communities by providing loans and grants for the construction, acquisition, or renovation of community facilities or for the purchase of equipment for community projects. » More...
Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships
RMA partnerships work with educational institutions and community based organizations to provide farmers and ranchers with information on new ways to manage risks to their businesses. Risk management strategies including production, marketing, legal and financial and crop insurance. To teach risk management strategies including production, marketing, legal and financial and crop insurance to minority, limited resource and traditionally underserved producers. » More...
Risk Management Education Programs
RMA partnerships work with educational institutions and community based organizations to provide farmers and ranchers with information on new ways to manage risks to their businesses. Risk management strategies including production, marketing, legal and financial and crop insurance. » More...
Rural Business Opportunity Grants
The RBOG program promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional needs through provision of training and technical assistance for business development, entrepreneurs, and economic development officials and to assist with economic development planning. » More...
Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program (RD)
The mission of the SARE program is to advance sustainable innovations to the whole of American agriculture. Since it began in 1988, SARE has funded more than 4,000 sustainable agriculture research, education and professional development projects across the country. Sharing project results is a cornerstone of the SARE program, with field days, workshops and conferences in every region?and an Outreach office producing an ever-growing library of books, bulletins, online resources as well as a vast archive of know-your-farmer profiles of SARE grantees. SARE is uniquely grassroots, administered by four regional offices guided by administrative councils of local experts. While every region offers Research and Education, Professional Development, Farmer/Rancher Research grants, some regions also offer Graduate Student, Sustainable Community Innovation, and Planning grants. » More...
