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Success Stories

A mother and three daughters pose around a dining room table. There are lace curtains and blue wall in the background and some dishes on the table in the foreground.

“This is Home” – A Family Finds Their Forever Home in Calais, Maine

One of the first rooms Heather Gagne and her daughters began redecorating in their new home is the dining room, shown in the top photo. They have been busy repainting and making other updates. Raising a family in coastal Machias, Maine may sound lovely, but for Heather Gagne recent years proved stressful. There were few housing options in the Downeast community, and Heather was glad to find a rental home to…
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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: 893 Stories
Carmen greets Alberto in her newly renovated home

El Desarrollo Rural de USDA Ayuda a Restaurar la Esperanza en Loiza, Puerto Rico

Carmen, una residente de mucho tiempo en la tranquila comunidad de Loiza, Puerto Rico, ha experimentado su parte de dificultades. En 1999, Carmen y su difunto esposo compraron su casa con un pequeño préstamo de su suegra. Durante años, la pareja disfrutó de su vida en Loiza.… [Read More]
Puerto Rico
DisasterHome Repair
Carmen greets Alberto in her newly renovated home

USDA Rural Development Helps Restore Hope in Loiza, Puerto Rico

Carmen, a longtime resident of the quiet community of Loiza, Puerto Rico, has experienced her share of hardships. In 1999, Carmen and her late husband purchased their home with a small loan from her mother-in-law. For years, the couple enjoyed their life in Loiza.“Everything is… [Read More]
Puerto Rico
DisasterHome Repair
Iris standing in front of her house in Loiza, Puerto Rico

De la lucha a la estabilidad: Restaurando una casa familiar en Loíza

En un terreno multigeneracional en la zona rural de Loíza, Puerto Rico, se erige un nuevo hogar para Iris. Iris es una de nueve hermanos que crecieron en la casa, originalmente construida en un terreno que fue legado por sus abuelos."Los abuelos le dieron un pedazo de tierra a… [Read More]
Puerto Rico
DisasterHome Repair
Owner Gary and manager Eric of Replenova Farm pose inside the farm store, with shelves of local foods arrayed behind them.

Solar Energy Helps New Farm on the Road to Financial Sustainability

Retired biochemist Gary Goodrich founded Replenova Farm in 2015, after decades spent growing healthy produce as a pastime. He had sold his Portland biotech company and was ready to dive into organic farming. In 2019 he purchased land and relocated the farm to Durham, Maine,… [Read More]
Maine
Local FoodsREAPSolar Energy
Iris standing in front of her house in Loiza, Puerto Rico

From struggle to stability: Restoring a family home in Loiza

On multigenerational land in rural Loíza, Puerto Rico, stands a new home for Iris. Iris is one of nine siblings who grew up in the house, originally built on land passed down from her grandparents. "The grandparents gave a piece of land to each of their children, and they… [Read More]
Puerto Rico
Disaster
Mary and Neil Seek enjoy a quiet moment in their lavender field.

Grant Helps Culpeper Farmer Follow Her Bliss Through Botanicals

A calming oasis can be hard to find in the gridlock of Northern Virginia, but those who know where to look can take a turn off the beaten path to reach a hidden sanctuary in nearby Culpeper. The Little House at Seek Lavender is a place of comfort and connection that is inspiring… [Read More]
Virginia
Value Added
Bodee, his wife Alexandria and their young son proudly stand in front of their first home!

A Growing Family Plants Roots in Wyoming

Bodee and his wife Alexandria were anxious to plant roots for their growing family. With a young son, and another one the way, they were ready to have a space of their own. The couple had never owned their own home, moving from rental to rental in Natrona County.“Homeownership… [Read More]
Wyoming
HomeownershipHousing
woman and man holding book at coffee shop

Empowering Coffee in Puerto Rico

Globally, more than a billion people count on coffee to power their day.  In rural Puerto Rico, USDA Rural Development is helping a small family-owned business power some of that coffee. Thanks to a $110,240 USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (… [Read More]
Puerto Rico
A woman wearing denim overalls stands in a green field with flowers in the foreground and solar panels and trees in the background.

REAP at the Junction of Farming and Clean Energy

When Eileen Flanagan and John Cochrane moved to Vassalboro, Maine and founded their farm, Junction Garden LLC, they knew they had a lot to learn about diversified agriculture in Maine. As they developed their market farm and growing business, one goal stood out: “We were very… [Read More]
Maine
EnergyLocal FoodsLocal ProduceREAPRenewable EnergySolar Energy
USDA’s Administrator for the Rural Business and Cooperative Service Betsy Dirksen Londrigan announces an RBDG award at the United Way of the Capital Region in Harrisburg, Pa., on Aug. 22, 2024.

United Way of the Capital Region receives USDA grant for workforce development initiative

On Aug. 22, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced it had awarded an $85,000 grant to the United Way of the Capital Region through its Rural Business Development Grants Program.The grant will be used to help… [Read More]
Pennsylvania
Economic Development

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