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Success Stories

Smith Island, Maryland

Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure is Key to Preserving Smith Island, Maryland

For the people living on Smith Island, the water matters. But it’s about more than the beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay from the picturesque island ten miles from the mainland. The multi‐generational residents depend on the surrounding Chesapeake Bay for their livelihoods. For many, crabbing, oystering, and ecotourism are what puts dollars in their bank accounts, and food on their tables. In rural communities…
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Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 717 Stories
The Watts family was thrilled to move into their newly constructed house in Harrisburg, Oregon, and become first generation homeowners.

Habitat and USDA Team Up to Create First-generation Homeowners

Donavan and Deborah Watts thought that, like their parents, they would never own their own home. But they were tired of the leaky roof, the water pump that sounded like a jet engine, and the strict landlord who would not allow them to plant a garden in front of their rented… [Read More]
Housing
Ashland Food Co-op’s 39-kilowatt solar system is decreasing its carbon footprint, reducing its utility costs, and supporting its sustainability goals.

Food Co-op Provides Leadership on Sustainability Issues

Since it was founded nearly half a century ago, the Ashland Food Co-op in rural southwest Oregon has modeled social and environmental responsibility. In addition to providing sustainably grown, local, organic food, this consumer-owned grocer also strives to minimize its impact… [Read More]
Renewable EnergySolar Energy
Geddes Grocery Store Photo

Maintaining Infrastructure Important to Rural South Dakota Grocery Store

As the only grocery store in the town of Geddes, SD, owners Jill & Bob Dyk, had a goal to provide local community members, as well as visitors to the area, with a place to buy grocery items, food and supplies for campers and hunters, general service items, and a place to… [Read More]
REAP
The volunteer firefighters in Reedsport, Oregon, gather around their new fire pumper truck as it is delivered.

USDA Helps Rural Fire Department Replace Essential Equipment

For a small, volunteer fire department, the high cost of equipment can be a significant challenge. That was the case for the Reedsport Fire Department on the central Oregon coast. Their fire pumper truck was past its useful life and posed safety issues. Chief Tom Anderson could… [Read More]
Community Facilities
WI_North_Lakes_Clinic

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic in Northern WI

According to the Department of Health Services, 827 people died in Wisconsin of opioid overdose deaths in 2016. From 2000 to 2016, the number of deaths in Wisconsin due to prescription opioids increased 600 percent, from 81 to 568 in 2016. The Lakes Community Health Center, Inc… [Read More]
Community FacilitiesHealth CareMental Health

Quality, Affordable Health Care in Lytle, TX

Striving to meet the needs of medically underserved rural communities, Atascosa Health Center, Inc., sought out funding from USDA Rural Development to purchase and relocate to a much larger facility in Lytle, TX The new facility, which is approximately 8,500 square feet, has… [Read More]
Community FacilitiesHealth Care

USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program Assists South Dakota Rancher

Haven Stuck got his start ranching at an early age on his family’s ranch in Mellette, SD where they raised cattle, pigs and sheep. Stuck grew up working cattle and learning the difficult business of operating a sustainable agribusiness from his parents. After high school, Stuck… [Read More]
REAP

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