rural communities

The Washington Department of Natural Resources will turn over 15 surplus wildfire engines to fire districts in wildfire-prone rural communities across the state this spring.  The agency says this is part of their annual effort to help strengthen fire response at the local level.   “...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced $145 million in funding for 700 loan and grant awards through the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, to help agricultural producers and rural small business owners make energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments to reduce energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resiliency of their operations...

WSU partners with Washington State Broadband to bridge the digital divide in rural areas, providing education and training opportunities with grant funding.

Jessie Samarin the 2022-2023 Oregon Reporter says many people from more urban areas may not appreciate it, but people and businesses in rural areas are very supportive of the next generation of farming.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

Adoption of electric vehicles has been slower in rural areas than in urban ones, but a "rideshare" program in Oregon is allowing farmers to try out electric tractors.  The program is a partnership between a number of organizations and lets farmers test out electric tractors on their farms for free for several months if needed.  Bridget...

Washington wheat ambassador Cady Zellmar talks about how growing up on a farm outside of Davenport molded her into the person she is today. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia... Read More ...

The White House's Office of National Drug control Policy has established a new Website to help rural leaders in the ongoing fight against drug addiction.  It's the Rural Community Toolbox dot org, and local government officials can go to this one website and find the resources they need to get help to individuals in their community," Jim Carroll, the Trump Administration's Drug Czar. "

Roughly 80% of American live in urban areas, but research shows they would rather live in rural areas, and rural residents are the happiest.  As population density increases, the level of happiness decreases.  AARP’s Sean Voskhul said that’s part of the reason a majority of the nation would rather live in rural areas.   “Rural and s...

The USDA announced Monday $91 million in investments to rural community facilities.  The facilities included in the funding announcement provide essential services for nearly 300,000 rural residents in 12 states, according to USDA.  USDA is funding 16 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.  The fun...

The U-S Agriculture Secretary thinks veterans are one group in society that should seriously consider farming.  Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue says about 50% of veterans are from rural areas and gain a goal-oriented training that works well in the ag industry.  ...