USDA Visitors Center - QUALITY OF LIFE in Rural Communities

USDA has the unique responsibility of coordinating Federal assistance to rural areas of the Nation.

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, forestry, and mining--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 thier 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, and
• Supporting community development with information and technical assistance.

A major part of USDA's effort is providing help to impoverished rural areas -- providing the resources and the expertise to further the efforts of residents to change and improve their communities.