Cooperative Development Institute’s Post

Access to reliable internet is crucial in today's world. In the past two years, USDA & U.S. Department of Commerce have collaborated to expand internet access to over 500K households nationwide. We sat down with Andy Berke, USDA Rural Development Administrator, to hear the latest updates on these efforts. Learn more about how the the USDA and Department of Commerce are expanding access in 2024 at the link: https://lnkd.in/ednYMRiE

The Joint Planning Resource Guide further reinforces the USDA Rural Development and U.S. Economic Development Administration's commitment to providing rural Americans with the innovative tools they need to thrive. https://lnkd.in/gVUmpBT7 #revitalization #community #planning #strategies #NREDA #EconomicDevelopment

While a small portion of the overall USDA budget, USDA Rural Development (RD) programs have an outsized impact on rural communities. Section 15 of the USDA Equity Commission's final report offers nine recommendations to improve RD programs to transform rural community economic development and increase investment in rural capacity building. This section acknowledges that these changes will require more federal staff, new strategic investments in rural hub intermediaries, and increased transparency and evaluation. Read Aspen CSG's full analysis to see what parts of the commission report subcommittee members think are especially important for folks to read and understand: https://lnkd.in/eaeKBswj

With 24% of agricultural co-ops surpassing 100 years, cooperatives stand as resilient models of community success. Explore the principles driving their impact & growth. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eBTfB-rt

AFBF Pushes for Economic Aid to Support Farmers as Farm Bill Stalls From an article in Progressive Farmer by Chris Clayton Article excerpts: "The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation told bankers on Wednesday that farm groups would push for a disaster relief and economic package as a higher priority in the lame-duck session of Congress than passing a farm bill. Zippy Duvall, a Georgia farmer, spoke to the American Bankers Association's annual Agricultural Bankers Conference about policy issues and the incoming Trump administration. He said farmers need some financial support from Congress before they adjourn for the year. "What we're really pushing forward is we need a disaster package, and we need an economic package," Duvall said. Duvall noted it might take a "miracle" to get a five-year farm bill done in the lame-duck Congress. The current farm bill will likely get extended for another year to develop a bill early in the new Congress. " Link to article: https://lnkd.in/g_R-xurM

🌟 Exciting News for #Nevada: The USDA is Investing in Tribal Communities for a Brighter Future🌱 🚰 🖥   USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced groundbreaking investments aimed at providing clean drinking water, sanitary wastewater systems, and affordable high-speed internet to Tribal communities across the nation. Today's funding includes support for the Yomba Shoshone Tribe in Nevada, part of USDA's Rural Partners Network.   At the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s Reservation Economic Summit (RES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, Secretary Vilsack emphasized USDA's commitment to Tribal economic development and removing barriers for Tribal nations. This investment, totaling $58 million in Nevada, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, will fuel economic growth, high-speed internet deployment, and modern infrastructure.   These initiatives align with President Biden’s #InvestingInAmerica agenda, focusing on economic growth, job creation, and equitable access to resources. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, $1.1 billion has been awarded through the ReConnect program to 57 Tribal communities. USDA's Rural Partners Network (RPN), launched in April 2022, serves as a catalyst for economic development projects in rural communities. Through partnerships and community liaisons, RPN facilitates access to government funding resources, driving job creation and infrastructure improvements. These investments are made possible by USDA Rural Development programs, including the Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and the ReConnect Program. These programs aim to provide safe drinking water, waste disposal services, and high-speed internet access to underserved communities, fostering economic resilience and prosperity.   For more information, or to stay updated on USDA's initiatives and investments, visit USDA's website: https://www.usda.gov   Together, let's build a brighter future for all communities, ensuring equitable access to essential resources and opportunities. 🌎✨ #USDA #TribalCommunities #EconomicDevelopment #grantopportunities #tribalgovernments

USDA and EDA Update Resources in Joint Guide to Boost Economic Development in Rural Communities. WASHINGTON, May 3, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden today announced that USDA and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. (EDA) updated resources in the joint guide originally released in 2022 to help rural communities build strategies to boost local economic development. Both agencies made several key updates to ensure communities can access new webpages and resources. Today’s announcement reinforces USDA’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that ensure rural Americans have the most up-to-date resources to compete in a modern economy and to create economic growth that lasts for generations to come. The resource guide outlines programs and services that can be used to advance community and economic development in rural communities through four focus areas: • Planning and technical assistance • Infrastructure and broadband expansion • Entrepreneurship and business assistance • Workforce development and livability To access the guide, visit: USDA - EDA Joint Resource Guide (English). If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.

The federal government has reiterated its commitment to supporting farmers with essential agricultural inputs and funding as part of the 2025 Budget, aimed at ensuring food security across the nation. President Bola Tinubu highlighted this initiative during the 2025 Budget Presentation titled “The Restoration Budget: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.” He emphasized that food security is a priority and announced bold measures to enhance agricultural productivity. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eeXx3rBT

Today, the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), the Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA), CropLife America (CLA), and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) released the following joint statement: “As Congressional leaders deliberate on a year-end stopgap government funding bill, it is critical that any package includes disaster assistance and economic aid for farmers. Farmers are facing severe financial hardships, and they need robust support from this legislation to help ensure the viability of their livelihoods, our rural communities, and our food supply. We urge House and Senate leadership to reach a spending package deal that includes disaster assistance and economic aid for farmers.”