Agriculture and Rural Development: Stimulus Bill Information

The Obama administration's rural agenda includes a safety net for family farmers and a program to connect rural America through affordable broadband coverage. Both of these programs will receive support through the stimulus package with $4.8 billion allocated to the Department of Agriculture for farming aid and rural development projects through the use of grants, loans and guarantees for broadband infrastructure programs and rural water, waste water and water disposal programs.

Infrastructure and Water Programs: $4.8 billion in farm aid and rural development grants, loans and guarantees to be used for broadband infrastructure programs and rural water, waste water, and waste disposal programs.

Flood Prevention and Rehabilitation: $340 million in funding that the Department of Agriculture will be required to allocate for flood prevention and rehabilitation.

Guaranteed Loans: $150 million available by the Department of Agriculture to rural businesses.

Improvements at the Department of Ag: $250 million in funding to be used for information technology, facility improvements and agricultural research at the Department of Agriculture.

Aid to Farmers: $749 million in additional fundin to be made available by the Department of Agriculture in the form of insurance payment aid, emergency loans and grants.

Section 502 Loans: $11.7 billion additional funding available for loans that the Rural Housing Insurance Fund will provide to low-income individuals and households purchasing, building, repairing or renovating homes in rural communities.

Contact: Melissa Proffitt Reese