Get to Know Your Policy: Revitalizing Rural America

American agriculture is a key component of rural communities, yet agriculture as an industry is more reliant on the greater rural economy than rural communities are dependent on farmers.  Farm Bureau believes education reform, broadband deployment, and health care access are important initiatives to help maintain and revitalize rural America.

In fact, your Illinois Farm Bureau policy #101, Rural Development, provides guidance on how to stimulate growth within rural communities:

We will:

• Examine existing private and government rural development programs to determine their viability and practicality in improving the rural economy and quality of life in Illinois.
• Develop a comprehensive program for coordinating rural development activities within the state and county Farm Bureau levels.
• Identify specific rural initiatives which our organization will support during the development of our comprehensive program.
• Urge county Farm Bureaus to take a leadership role in rural development programs and activities in cooperation with local business, political and agricultural leaders.
• Provide county Farm Bureaus advice and guidance on rural development programs.
• Work closely with county Farm Bureaus in the beginning and continuous stages of the rural development process, emphasizing the need for community development and economic development.

There are many opportunities to strengthen rural America.  Rural development is a priority for Farm Bureau and your organization strives to be a part of that process.  Visit www.ilfb.org/policy to learn more about your organization's policy.