December 13, 2023, was a happy day for the members of the Poodunck Snowmobile Club in Dixfield, Maine. That day they took delivery of their new trail grooming machine. The massive new Prinoth machine is state-of the art, replacing the club’s fifteen-year-old equipment. Trail maintenance is a constant effort for snowmobile clubs across Maine. There is cleanup, drainage work, and bridge repair to be done during the dry months. During the snow season, trails must be groomed after each snowfall and at other times to maintain the right conditions for the sport.

In southwestern Fallon County near Ismay, a long, gravel road crisscrosses a landscape reminiscent of the Badlands. Twenty miles down the road through a beautiful valley brings one to Crescent Cross Ranch, home to a fourth generation Montana ranching family, the Lanes. 

Their grass fed, grass finished Black Angus beef cattle are the source for a growing woman-owned rural small business - Lane Legacy Beef, owned by Katie Lane.

It was 1775 when Henry Hervey decided to make his homestead in what is today, Wellsburg, West Virginia. Hervey paid two pounds of silver for the 400-acre plot and his original deed to the property was written on a buckskin hide. Over the years, the farm was known primarily for grain production and sheep. Then, in the 1950s, it transitioned into dairy farming and then beef. Eight generations and almost 250 years later, the farm is now known for its maple syrup and all natural sweeteners.

Introduction

In the heart of rural Dorchester County, South Carolina, nestled a short distance from the hustle and bustle of Charleston, stands the historic St. George Rosenwald School. Once a beacon of education for African American students during the segregation era, this venerable institution has weathered decades of change. Today, it continues to serve as a community hub, preserving its rich heritage while embracing modern needs.

The Challenge

Rural seniors often desire to age in their communities, surrounded by familiar faces and places. However, with fewer healthcare providers, professional caregivers, and young people compared to urban areas, rural communities face challenges in caring for their aging residents.

Enter The Mustard Seed Project, established in 2007 by Edie Morgan.  Her vision was to assist elders on the Key Peninsula in western Washington, enabling them to remain in their homes with volunteer support.

Farmer’s Union Oil Company of Circle and Terry is a farm and ranch supply cooperative that started in 1930. It serves member owners with products such as fuel, propane, fertilizer, and tires.

In early 2023, Farmer’s Union Oil finished construction on a new, larger-capacity fertilizer plant in Circle, Montana, replacing one that had been in operation for more than a half-century.  

Eligibility

To check eligible areas for Business Programs, Community Facilities, and Water and Environmental Programs, view the program eligibility look-up map: Puerto Rico Eligibility Map (arcgis.com)

In the City of Guthrie, there isn’t just hope, there is literally a house built on hope that serves the needs of low-income families and provides meaningful shelter and an opportunity for meaningful rehabilitation.

A USDA Rural Development investment grant of $84,000 helped those involved in Hope House Guthrie, with the necessary funds to complete the purchase of an 18,000 square feet shelter that provides clients in the area with rapid rehousing.

In the shadow of central Montana’s Crazy Mountains sits Wilsall, a picturesque community of 200 rural residents who – with a little help from USDA Rural Development – now have a safe, reliable water supply.

Nearly six years ago, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) mandated improvements to address nitrate contamination and ensure Wilsall’s two wells met water quality and safety standards. For the last few years, only one of the two wells has been operable. 

Hand-me-downs are a right of passage in many large families but aren’t a great approach to public safety in rural communities. The Alberta Volunteer Fire Department was making do with engines procured from nearby communities when the nonprofit decided to pump the brakes on costly repairs.