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.”

March 25, 2025

The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (RD), which is comprised of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and Rural Housing Service (RHS), is amending 14 program funding opportunities to remove DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion)-related scoring criteria.

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. 

“Todo el tiempo bien tranquilo, no se ve nada de agresividad o de problemas ni nada,” dijo Carmen. 

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 very quiet all the time; you don’t see aggressiveness or problems, anything at all,” Carmen said. 

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 cada uno de sus hijos, y ellos construyeron sus casas allí, pero lo que construyeron, autorizaron a sus hijos a también construir," dijo ella. 

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.

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 built their houses there, but what they built, they authorized their children to also build," she said. 

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.