Community Development

Rural Community Development

Strong rural communities depend on more than successful farms—they need access to quality healthcare, economic opportunity and the resources that help families and businesses thrive. Illinois Farm Bureau partners with organizations across the state to strengthen rural communities and address challenges that impact quality of life.

Through the Rural Development Grant Program, Illinois Farm Bureau provides funding to local projects that encourage economic growth, community improvement and long-term vitality in rural Illinois.

Illinois Farm Bureau also helps address critical healthcare shortages through the Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program (RIMSAP) and the Illinois Veterinary Education and Training (iVET) Food Animal Veterinarian Program. These initiatives support future physicians and veterinarians who commit to serving rural communities, helping ensure farmers, families and rural residents have access to the healthcare professionals they need. RIMSAP has helped more than 800 students pursue medical careers focused on serving rural Illinois, while iVET works to increase the number of food animal veterinarians practicing throughout the state.

Together, these programs demonstrate Illinois Farm Bureau's commitment to investing in the people, services and partnerships that keep rural Illinois strong for generations to come.