As a single mother of two children, Edna Contreras worked hard but didn't think it was possible for her to actually own her own home until she learned about USDA Rural Development.  

With her children grown, Edna was living in a place where she struggled to afford the utility bills.  She knew something had to change.

One of the benefits of owning your own small business is the ability to be nimble and make quick financial and operational decisions when the need arises.

Shawn and Mariah Butenschoen are proof of this. The Butenschoens own a five-acre organic blueberry farm in Elverson, a town in the Northwest part of the state, just a short drive from the Canadian border.

For over 30 years, Mike Long has worked in some way at the grocery store in downtown Pineville that carries his last name. After all, his father opened it.

“We have about 60 employees,” he said, “and we pride ourselves on being a strong part of our community. Part of that is putting money back into the business and staying up with trends so we’re still here for another 30 years.”

Preparing to search for and purchase your first home can be a confusing and exhausting time, but for the Erickstad's that process proved to be very rewarding for their young family of six.

It was a Sunday afternoon when Berlynn Simmons was standing in line to check out at a local big box store located in the Low Country of South Carolina.  She noticed that a local Realtor was standing in the line behind her and decided to ask her some questions about the home buying process.  The Realtor asked her a few questions and after listening to Berlynn's response, she said with a smile, "What are you waiting for?"

The road towards homeownership for the Scharff family wasn't easy.  However, with the help of USDA Rural Development, miracles do happen. 

In 2015, Jessie Scharff returned home to take care of her mother, who's health had started to decline.  Sadly, her mother died a short time thereafter.  Jessie was crushed.  She was an only child and her mother was everything to her.  Jessie spiraled into depression and soon found herself to be pregnant, alone, and homeless.