Valley Telecommunications has been providing its members in the Herreid area with quality service for nearly 70 years. The Cooperative strived to deliver the high speed, reliable internet service to its members across McPherson, Edmunds, and Campbell counties. When an underserved area more than 250 miles away in eastern South Dakota was identified, Valley Telecommunications took action.

The expansive landscape of north central South Dakota provides fertile ground for farmers and ranchers. Due to the dry grasslands and warm summers, the area faces an elevated risk of wildfires.

In the event of a wildfire, the 20 volunteers of the Java Fire District depend on its equipment to respond promptly and mitigate the loss of crops and farm equipment.

Katie Hammer, a Loan Specialist with Rural Development’s Community Facilities program, said, "Based on several factors, Java received 35 percent of the truck’s cost as a Community Facilities grant.”

Offices in Tifton and Douglas, Georgia are closed on alternating Thursdays. Phone the offices prior to planning your visit.

The Offices in Blackshear and in Camilla, Georgia are only open at select hours on alternating Thursdays.  Phone the offices prior to planning your visit.

Tifton Area Office (229) 382-0273 ext. 4 | 2406 North Tift Avenue, Suite 103 | Tifton, Ga 31794 THE TIFTON OFFICE IS CLOSED ON ALTERNATING THURSDAYS; PHONE FIRST BEFORE PLANNING YOUR VISIT

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, where he opened for business with a brand-new farm store and commercial kitchen alongside fields, high tunnels, and a big red barn.

In southern New Mexico along the Rio Grande and the Texas border, the small City of Anthony is no stranger to the benefits of partnering with USDA Rural Development. The small community of less than 10,000 residents is a designated colonia, making it eligible for grants and loans created specifically for colonia communities.

A colonia refers to a rural community with a population of 25,000 or less located within 150 miles of the United States and Mexico border. A colonia lacks a potable water supply, adequate sewage systems, or sanitary housing.

When Thomas McGinn and his son, Tim, moved from Southern California to the desert of New Mexico in 1980, Thomas was looking for a change. He wanted to get back into farming and get out of his job working in food production for big factories.

He purchased land for a farm and built a home. Eventually, the farm grew to the size it is today, hosting 12,300 pistachio trees and 7,500 grape vines. The farm, officially titled Pistachio Tree Ranch, produces wine and pistachio products on-site and is now known as Pistachioland.

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 people throughout the region to live nature-inspired lives. 

West River’s project proposes the construction of a new electrical 69–12.47/7.2 kV distribution substation. The substation will be connected to a future 69kV transmission line located on the north property boundary to improve electrical delivery reliability for West River customers.