$194 Million investment for rural growth and innovation

Dec 05, 2024
By Farms.com

New grants support clean energy, small businesses, and jobs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has pledged $194 million to help foster economic growth and sustainability in underserved rural and tribal communities.

This investment is part of the USDA’s broader efforts to support rural development through the Rural Partners Network (RPN), a collaborative program that connects local communities with federal resources.

RPN was established in 2022 to ensure rural and tribal communities receive fair access to federal funding. Since then, the initiative has brought over $8.5 billion in federal investments to local projects.

The current round of funding will support 118 projects aimed at creating jobs, modernizing infrastructure, and promoting clean energy in rural areas.

In Alaska, hydroelectric plants will be upgraded to increase energy generation, while Georgia will invest in vocational training programs to fill labor gaps. In Kentucky, infrastructure improvements like sewer upgrades and solar installations will help create jobs and reduce costs for local businesses.

Additionally, investments in clean energy and water systems will improve the lives of people living in rural areas. Projects like these aim to make rural communities more resilient and economically viable in the long term.

The USDA continues to work alongside local governments and community leaders to drive sustainable economic growth and improve the quality of life in rural America.

These investments will help prepare communities for a prosperous future while addressing their immediate needs.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.