USDA Rural Development
United States Department of Agriculture
Topics
• USDA Mission Areas
• Rural Development Mission
• Rural Development Programs
• Strategic Economic & Community Development
(SECD)
• Cooperative Development
• Local Foods
One USDA, Seven Mission Areas
Research,
Education, and
Economics
Farm & Foreign Ag
Services
Food and Nutrition
Consumer Services
Food Safety
Marketing &
Regulatory
Programs
Natural Resources
and Environment
Rural
Development
Rural Development’s Mission
Committed to
helping improve the
economy and quality
of life in rural
America
Rural Development Agencies
The agencies and programs work together and complement
each other to build a thriving rural community.
Rural Utility Service (RUS)
• Electric Programs
• Telecommunications
Programs
• Water & Environmental
Programs
Rural Housing Service (RHS)
• Multi-Family Housing
• Single-Family Housing
• Community Facilities
Rural Business & Cooperative Service
• Business Programs
• Energy Programs
• Cooperative Programs
Rural Development
Type of Financial Assistance
http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD_ProgramMatrix.pdf
Rural Development Offices
http://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state
Regional Community Economic
Development Coordinators
Midwest:
Christine Sorensen
Northeast:
Angela Callie
West:
Tim
O’Connell
South:
Gregory Dale
Section 6025 of 2014 Farm Bill
Strategic Economic and
Community Development (SECD)
What is the Section 6025 Strategic Economic &
Community Development (SECD)?
• New requirement under 2014 Farm Bill
• Sets aside up to 10% of USDA program funds under:
•
•
•
•
Community Facilities
Water and Environmental Programs
Rural Business Development Grants
Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans
for prioritizing projects that support the
implementation of a multi-jurisdictional plan.
Underlying Programs
• Community Facilities - provides affordable
funding to develop essential community facilities
in rural areas.
• Water and Environmental Programs - provides
technical assistance and financing
• Rural Business Development Grants - supports
targeted technical assistance, training and other
activities
• Business & Industry Loans - bolsters the existing
private credit structure through the
guaranteeing of loans for rural businesses
Why SECD?
Rural Development wants to excel at helping
communities use USDA programs strategically by:
• Encouraging regional planning
and collaboration with partners
within regions.
• Using regional assets to promote
the region.
• Leveraging resources and
financing creatively.
The Regional Approach: A Proven Success
Rural Development rewards projects that:
Number of
points
Are tied to a Multijurisdictional Plan & meet
at least 2 objectives
Up to 10 points
Have a Regional Plan with clear objectives
and the ability to establish measureable
performance measures
Up to 2 points
Have a plan developed from a collaboration Up to 2 points
of multiple stakeholders from its service area
A Good Plan…
Rural Development rewards projects that
include:
Number of
points
Resources – The Plan demonstrates an
understanding of the applicable regional
assets that could support the Plan
Up to 2 points
Other Federal Investments - The Plan
includes practical Investments from Federal
agencies other than the USDA
Up to 2 points
Philanthropic Investment – The Plan includes Up to 2 points
practical investments from Philanthropic
organizations
Assistance to Regions
SECD embraces technical assistance and
initiatives as a tool for Rural
Communities:
• Cooperative Development – a creative
alternative for rural communities to
provide services that meet its citizens
needs.
• Know Your Farmer/Know Your Food –
provides technical assistance to
communities that want to use local
food systems to promote Community
and Economic Development with a
region.
Cooperative Development
Co-ops are producer and user-owned businesses that are
controlled by, and operate for the benefit of, their members.
• Farmer Co-ops – market and process crops
• Rural Utility Co-ops – electrical and telecommunication services
• Financial Co-ops – credit and financial services
• Other Co-ops – Food stores, daycare, health services
Cooperative Development
• Rural Communities can consider Co-ops as a means to
provide services to its citizen.
• For technical assistance with Cooperative Development:
Margaret Bau
Cooperative Development Specialist
[email protected]
Direct Line 715-345-7671
Local and Regional Food Systems
Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2):
• Helps communities scale up local and regional food
systems and strengthen their economies.
• Offers assistance in funding and technical assistance for
developing regional food systems
USDA’s “Know Your Farmer,
Know Your Food” Initiative
Website: One-stop shop for financial and
technical assistance resources from USDA to
grow your local food enterprise
www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer
The Compass: How USDA resources are
put to work in your community
www.usda.gov/kyfcompass
The Compass Map: See what’s
funded in your community and learn how
others are using USDA programs
www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer
Know Your Farmer/Know Your Food
For technical assistance please contact:
James Barham
Agricultural Economic
[email protected]
202-690-1411
Final Thoughts
• Rural Development has programs and committed staff that
can address a variety of community and regional challenges
• SECD promotes and rewards a regional approach when using
RD programs.
• RD Programs can be used to lift rural communities out of
poverty when programs are used strategically.
• Co-ops and Local Foods Systems can be used to promote
community and economic efforts for rural communities.
QUESTIONS
Who to
Contact?
Insert Your Team Contact Info
http://srdc.msstate.edu/set/
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