RURAL ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Agriculture and farming are the bedrock of rural economies, so when farmers face challenges, entire communities are impacted. Today, the business of farming is becoming increasingly uncertain. Volatile input prices, weather issues, pest and disease outbreaks, trade disruptions, and other shocks have all created pressure for farmers. This can ultimately affect consumers in the form of high food prices and diminishing supplies.
Farm Journal Foundation works with farmers and stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain to develop solutions to structural challenges in the industry. Whether it's by addressing rural veterinary workforce issues or working with farmers to protect their long-term productivity, the Foundation supports farmer-centered initiatives that strengthen economic development and growth.
Our Work on Rural Economic Development
Farm Journal Foundation works to support rural economic development through a range of efforts. Some examples of this work include:
VETERINARY WORKFORCE PROGRAM
Rural areas across the U.S. are facing an alarming shortage of food animal veterinarians, threatening food safety, public health, and rural economic growth. Through our new Veterinary Workforce Program, we commission academic research to surface solutions to this challenge, bring together coalitions of industry leaders and agricultural leaders, develop business management educational curriculum for students and early career veterinarians, and meet with national-level policymakers to discuss the need for long-term change.
RESEARCH AND EVENTS
We partner with leading academic and nonprofit institutions to produce in-depth research on how to improve farming livelihoods and rural supply chains. We also make recommendations on how the U.S. government can improve policies to make global agricultural development investments more effective. In addition, we hold in-person and virtual events with leading experts to discuss rural development issues.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH FARMERS
We are working to improve access to grazing resources for Native American farmers and ranchers, through a partnership with the Intertribal Agriculture Council and USDA. This work provides technical assistance, education, and direct payments to farmers to increase the adoption of conservation practices like rotational grazing and planting of native grasses.