USDA has the unique responsibility of coordinating Federal assistance to rural areas of the Nation. The Rural Development mission is to help rural Americans to improve the quality of their lives.

To do this, USDA is working closely with the private and nonprofit sectors and with state, tribal, and local governments to fundamentally change the way government works. With this new philosophy of public partnership...this new relationship among Government, industry, and communities...many positive outcomes for rural Americans are happening daily.

Now and in the future, prosperity in rural America depends on ensuring that residents have a wide range of economic opportunities. Rural America's historic strengths -- agriculture and forestry -- will continue as one part of the picture.

USDA works to make sure that rural citizens can participate fully in the global economy -- with technical assistance and programs that help rural Americans build strong economies to improve their quality of life.

USDA also helps rural communities meet their basic needs by:

• Building water and wastewater systems,
• Financing decent, affordable housing,
• Supporting electric power and rural businesses, including cooperatives, and
• Supporting community development with information and technical assistance.

• Business and Cooperative Programs includes cooperative development and technical assistance, plus other business development programs, and the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Center.
• Rural Development Housing Programs includes rural housing programs as well as rural community loan programs.
• Utilities Programs offers telephone and electric programs along with water and sewer programs.

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