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Farms and Community

Senior citizens sitting in their front porch

Sustainable farms and ranches provide obvious and not so obvious benefits to communities and society at large. They supply food and fiber; they are stewards of soil, water and wildlife habitat; and they provide the social and economic backbone of many rural communities. Find resources related to:

New American Farmer: Profiles of Agricultural Innovation, 2nd Edition USDA. Sustainable Agriculture Network.

Profiles more than 60 farmers and ranchers who have succeeded in renewing profits, enhancing environmental stewardship and improving the lives of their families and communities.

Community Development Resources USDA. NAL. Rural Information Center.

RIC's comprehensive list of documents and Web links are arranged by topic including Business; Community Utilities; Economic and Rural Development; Environmental and Sustainable Development; and Labor, Employment and Job Growth.

Land and Farm Resources: AREI, 2006 Edition USDA. Economic Research Service.

Chapter one of the Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators report examines land use, farm real estate values, and the relationship between land ownership, farm size and other characteristics.

Renewing the Countryside Renewing the Countryside Project.

Stories from people in every state who are "making a difference" in rural communities along with a comprehensive list of information and assistance resources.

Community and Rural Development Institute Community and Rural Development Institute.

CARDI, based at Cornell University, features publications and other resources that focus on land use, "Main Street Revitalization," health and safety, community capacity and economic development.

Center for Rural Affairs Center for Rural Affairs.

Private, non-profit organization, working to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches and rural communities. Research and publications focus on corporate farming and market access, entrepreneurship and economic development, conservation, high value markets, beginning farmer and rancher opportunities and rural schools.

Center for Applied Rural Innovation (CARI) University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Center for Applied Rural Innovation.

CARI, an "interdisciplinary research and extension center, uses a holistic approach to development that focuses on the economic and social interdependence of agriculture, communities and families." Research and reports on entrepreneurship, rural issues, sustainable agriculture and more.