rural america

Formal educational attainment in rural America has grown, but still lags behind urban communities.  USDA’s Economic Research Service data shows the share of adults ages 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher increased in rural areas from 15% to 21%.  In the same time sp...

The top scams of 2022 targeted rural and urban Americans alike.  No matter where you live, scammers are constantly trying to find ways to con you out of your money.   “Scammers don’t care where you are from," said the AARP's Sean Voskuhl.  "They will tailor their ...

Earlier this week, senators Tammy Baldwin and Susan Collins introduced the bipartisan Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or The Healthy H2O Act.  Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat and Collins, a Maine Republican, say the bill will provide water testing and treatment technology grants directly to individuals and non-profits in rural communities.  Current...

Last week, USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small unveiled the Rural Data Gateway.  The effort is a new resource to make the Department's data for rural projects easier to access for its partners and people living in rural communities.  ...

Rural economies require innovation for economic development, job creation of financing that according to Jon Monson of Compeer Financial.  He added innovation comes from need-based opportunities.   “We’re in some communities and seeing that there's not a lot of local pharmacies they got to travel 20-30 miles.  What about mobile pharma...

Over the last two decades, the strongest rural job gains were in smaller industries that tend to employ high-skill workers.  USDA's Economic Research Service reports the highest growth was in the real estate industry.  Also showing rapid growth was the administrative services industry, which includes office administration, facilities support, business support services, security services, conventio

When it comes to the first two quarters of 2023, what is the expectation of the farm economy from the banker’s perspective?  That was one of many questions the 2022 Ag Lender Survey, produced by the American Bankers Association and Farmer Mac, looked to answer.  Jackson Takac...

On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is investing $285 million in critical infrastructure.  The investment seeks to lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy for people across rural America, and combat climate change.  USDA is...

The USDA is out with a series of USDA rural development funding mechanisms are targeting improved market opportunities for rural economies.   “We are highlighting 242 investments totaling $981 million that will create economic opportunities for people and businesses and diverse communities and industries throughout 47 states Guam and the US Virgin Islands," noted rural business cooperative se

Last week, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced his department is investing $981 million to help create new and better market opportunities and expand services for rural people, businesses, and entrepreneurs.  The funds will be used to assist people in 47 states, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.   ...