Thanks for visiting the USDA Rural Development California website. Here you’ll see that our agency has a proven track record of helping families purchase their first home, building critical infrastructure in rural areas, helping rural entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, and improving the viability of California’s rural economies.

We can’t do our job though, without private investment and community leadership. That’s where you come in. We have 18 offices across California – from Alturas to El Centro. I welcome you to stop in for a cup of coffee sometime and tell us about your goals. Chances are, we have a program that’s right for you. You can learn more about USDA Rural Development resources in your area by clicking on the ‘Offices’ link above, or calling our state office at (530) 792-5800.

                        -Ben Higgins, State Director

State Director's Page

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USDA Foreclosures/Real Estate Owned

27% - The increase in vehicle traffic on state's rural roads between 1990 and 2003. 

6,000 miles  - The length of California's network of levees that protect areas from flooding. 

18% - Segment of the state's rural population that completed college in 2000 vs. 26.8% of urban population.

1.4 million  - The number of mostly rural Californians lacking broadband access at any speed  

7.1% - The unemployment rate in California's rural areas vs. 6.2% in urban areas (2004 data).

3,400 - The estimated number of California jobs saved through the help of USDA Rural Development business programs in 2007.

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, USDA Rural Development, California Chamber of Commerce

April, 2008

■ 25 - Multi-Family Housing Buyers & Sellers Conference, Monterey

April 22, 2008

USDA Rural Development Celebrates Earth Day in San Joaquin with a $6 Million Announcement
Earth Day celebrations kicked off at Peter Rusconi Park in San Joaquin when USDA Rural Development State Director Ben Higgins announced a $6 million loan and grant to the City of San Joaquin for upgrades to their wastewater infrastructure.

Pictured left: State Director Ben Higgins presents the City of San Joaquin with a $6.1 million check for their wastewater upgrades.  L-R: Higgins; Gary Horn, City Engineer; Chris Rosander, representing Congressman Costa; Amarpreet Dhaliwal, Mayor of San Joaquin.

Pictured right: Students from San Joaquin Elementary were honored for their Earth Day inspired posters and essays.  L-R front: Victor Garcia, first place essay-4th grade; Alejandra Valdez, first place poster-3rd grade; Jackie Rodriguez, third place essay, 6th grade; Ben Higgins; Arin Dhesi, second place essay-4th grade; Sol Ramirez, first place poster-1st grade; Bereniz Dominguez, first place poster, 2nd grade. Back row: Mayor Arampreet Dhaliwal; San Joaquin Elementary School Principal Sylvia Grider; City Engineer Gary Horn; Congressman Costa's representative Chris Rosander.

Above: 1st grade poster winner - Sol Ramirez          Above: 2nd grade poster winner - Bereniz  
                                                                                 Dominguez

Above: 3rd grade poster winner - Alejandra

Valdez

March 27, 2008
USDA Rural Development Announces $3 Million Loan/Grant to Santa Margarita
USDA Rural Development State Director Ben Higgins announced a commitment of $1 million in grant and $2 million in long-term low-interest loan to the community of Santa Margarita for critical fire protection, water storage and drought preparedness infrastructure upgrades.

Pictured left: USDA Rural Development State Director Ben Higgins announces a $3 million commitment for urgent water infrastructure upgrades.  The announcement was made at the Santa Margarita Community Park.

PIctured right: USDA Rural Development staff joined Santa Margarita County Service Area 23 representatives for the check presentation.

For more pictures visit the Photo Gallery
 

In other USDA Rural Development news...

Availability of Funds for Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing
For complete information on application procedures and deadlines published in the March 12, 2008 Federal Register click here. 

Availability of Funds for Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Loans
For complete information on application procedures and deadlines published in the March 12, 2008 Federal Register click here. 

Applications for Renewable Energy Loans and Grants Invited
For complete information on application procedures and deadlines published in the March 6, 2008 Federal Register click here. 

Availability of Funds for Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Loan

Applicants interested in the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing loan program can view complete information on the application procedures published in the February 4, 2008 Federal Register or click here. 

FCC and USDA Rural Development Launch Website Focused on Rural Broadband Opportunities
The “Broadband Opportunities for Rural America” website makes available the expertise and resources of the FCC and USDA in a single, easily-accessible location and user-friendly format.  For more information or to visit the site click here.

Final Report of the California Broadband Task Force Published - "The State of Connectivity: Building Innovation Through Broadband"

The report provides a comprehensive picture of broadband deployment in rural California and includes maps of current availability and speed.  Although California was found to be a leader in broadband deployment among U.S. states, 1.4 million Californians, mostly rural, lack access to broadband at any speed.

The full report can be found at: http://www.calink.ca.gov/taskforcereport/

For the complete text of the 2007 Farm Bill proposal, and other information please click on the logo or visit www.usda.gov.

More news is just a click away in the USDA Rural Development News Room