WASHINGTON, DC (RFD NEWS) — USDA reported last week that rural development investment is used most heavily in farming-dependent counties, connecting farm communities with housing, utilities, business financing, and essential services. The Economic Research Service reviewed Rural Development program obligations from 2000 through 2024.
Farm-dependent nonmetropolitan counties recorded the highest participation, with per-person investment rising from $3,741 in 2000-2011 to $4,693 in 2012-2024. The Southeast received the largest overall share of obligations, while the Rocky Mountain region led on a rural per-person basis.
Counties receiving the highest per-person investment averaged 39.9 percent real income growth over the study period, compared with 31.8 percent in the lowest-investment group. USDA cautions that the comparison shows an association, not proof that the funding alone caused higher growth.
Single-family housing accounted for 55 percent of obligations, and higher participation was associated with higher homeownership. Most support came through loans: 57 percent through guarantees and 33 percent through direct loans, while grants accounted for 10 percent.
For producers, rural housing, water, power, broadband, health care, and business capacity influence whether workers and families can remain in agricultural communities.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Rural development investment supports the housing, services, and infrastructure farm communities need to retain workers and remain viable.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
·
USDA flash corn sales, Cattle on Feed and Inventory reports, and beef packer antitrust concerns dominate January agricultural market news.
January 13, 2026 01:53 PM
·
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said permanent access to the higher ethanol blend would provide farmers with much-needed certainty while supporting domestic crop demand.
January 13, 2026 01:31 PM
·
Larger grain stocks increase supply pressure, but strong fall disappearance — especially for corn and sorghum — suggests demand remains an important offset.
January 13, 2026 01:02 PM
·
Record corn and sorghum crops boost feed grain supplies, while reduced soybean and cotton production tighten outlooks for oilseeds and fiber markets.
January 13, 2026 12:53 PM
·
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us to provide analysis on the January WASDE report and expectations for grain markets going forward.
January 13, 2026 12:34 PM
·
