Policy Options for a Changing Rural America

In 1950, 4 out of every 10 rural people lived on a farm, and almost a third of the US' rural workforce was engaged directly in production agriculture. Because agriculture dominated the social and economic well-being of most of the rural population, public policy related to agriculture was a dominant force shaping rural life both on the farm and in rural communities. But today, rural America is vastly different from the 1950's, and current commodity-based farm policies do not fully address the complexities of rural economies and populations. In addition, some rural communities have changed dramatically since 1990 due to increased population from urban areas, shifts in age and ethnic composition, and economic and industrial restructuring. The goals of economic/community development programs and policies in rural areas vary widely, as do the resources and the opportunities and challenges communities face. Because many rural problems occur regionwide, some policies need to address broader geographic implications.