Who is the Rural America Foundation?
Many of us hold a common image of rural America – open countryside, small towns, and home to a unique part of American culture, tradition and history. Rural communities are generally sparsely populated, set apart from the influences of big cities, and can be characterized by economies based on natural resources, such as agriculture, logging, mining, gas exploration or tourism. Lifestyles differ from those in urban areas mainly because there are fewer public services. Rural communities must be more self-reliant and community centered because government services, such as police, school, fire stations, libraries, utilities and public transportation are more limited.
Seventy-five percent of our Nation’s land is in rural America which provides a home to nearly 50 million people. This farming or country life contains many of the Nation’s cultural treasures and natural amenities. Ideals of freedom, harmony and balance are marked by characteristics of rugged individualism, self-sufficiency, community and a lifestyle that lives with the rhythm of our natural world. The nation primarily relies on rural America for its food and fiber and the open space and recreational opportunities available to a rapidly growing suburban population.
Maintaining the vitality of rural America to sustain the cultural values and natural amenities which are a fundamental part of the fabric of our nation is the goal and purpose of the Rural America Foundation. These values are jeopardized when rural America loses its population base and working rural landscapes through economic circumstance, natural disaster, natural resource (public) policy change, or lack of advocacy and education.
Working with the local leadership in rural communities Rural America Foundation seeks to bring a “can-do” attitude, develop a network of people and talent and provide resources, education and assistance for rural families to recover, restore and maintain their way of life.
Next find out about the flood relief project Rural America Foundation is currently working on. click here