Rural Resources
USDA Rural Development
Rural Development is a mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that is committed to help increase economic opportunity within rural America. Its’ mission is to help improve the quality of life for rural residents by financing and fostering growth in homeownership, business development and critical community and technology infrastructure.
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
When resources are invested to create new resources, they become capital. There are seven forms of capital in and available to rural areas that are captured in The Community Capitals Framework. Find this model plus additional resources for rural communities.
Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development enhances regional prosperity through entrepreneurial and cluster-based innovation while assuring balanced use of natural resources in the northeastern United States.
Southern Rural Development Center
The Southern Rural Development Center addresses critical contemporary rural development issues impacting the well-being of people and communities in the rural South.
Western Rural Development Center
The Western Center focuses on developing entrepreneurism, the capacity of land-grant universities and partners, civic capacity, and land use and public policy in rural areas.
Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire
The Carsey Institute conducts policy research on vulnerable children, youth and families and on sustainable community development. The work includes solid, active partnerships with community development practitioners and community foundations across rural America.
USDA Economic Research Service
USDA's Economic Research Service is a primary source of economic information, conducting a research program to inform the public and private decisionmaking on economic and policy issues involving food, farming, natural resources, and rural development.
The Rural School and Community Trust
The Rural School and Community Trust is a national nonprofit organization addressing the crucial relationship between good school and thriving communities.
The Finance Project
The Finance Project is a specialized non-profit firm that develops and disseminates research, information, tools and technical assistance for improved policies, programs and financing strategies that benefit children, families and communities.
Afterschool Alliance
The Afterschool Alliance is the nation's leading voice in afterschool, dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for more afterschool investments.