| USDA Rural Development Executive Overview — USDA Rural Development provides an executive overview of its programs and mission. Focusing exclusively on America, Rural Development offers loans and grants to eligible individuals, businesses, and communities, to encourage homeownership, growth in business and manufacturing, and community well-being. Rural Development also partners with private lenders to offer loan guarantees, providing the backing of the federal government to support rural prosperity and growth New Application Process for USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) — The VAPG program now offers a streamlined application process. See the VAPG Grant Application Portal User Guide for details. The program will accept electronic applications only through the VAPG application portal by 4/17/2025. USDA Final Rule — Manufactured Housing Provisions — This Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2025, and implements changes to 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3550, which makes existing manufactured homes that meet specific criteria eligible for financing. The effective date of the Final Rule is March 4, 2025. Farm Household Income and Characteristics — USDA Economic Research Service offers this data to present the latest household income forecast and financial and socioeconomic indicators for principal operators of U.S. family farms, including health insurance coverage and expenditures of farm operator households. Are you new to farming or ranching? Or new to working with USDA Farm Service Agency? USDA Farm Service Agency can help you get started or grow your farming operation through a variety of programs and services: See its Program Finder, Loan Assistance Tool, and Farm Service Agency location finder.Rural Development Process Improvement  Better Grants Better Service (BGBS) – USDA Rural Development moves to improve program efficiency for its grant-only programs through BGBS! Currently, Rural Development is exploring ways to improve equipment grants. Please visit the BGBS website for more information. You may also share your ideas about how to streamline and improve USDA RD grants by emailing SM.RD.BetterGrants@usda.gov. |
| 2/27- 2/28, 2025 | Virtual or in person in Arlington, Virginia: USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum. Please join USDA Rural Development for its session on 2/28 called “Farm and Rural Workforce Housing Needs and Solutions.” There is no charge for attending the forum virtually. Register now before spaces fill up! |