If you receive our newsletter, you may have already seen it in your mail or email. If you don't, sign up today.

This month's newsletter includes articles on rural internet, health care, agriculture, community development and more. Read the entire newsletter online here, or some highlights below.

Strained Economy Has People Seeking Basic Health Care Services Less Often
New data are showing that an economic sector once thought secure from recessionary pressures is beginning to feel the pinch of the nation’s economic woes. Data from market research firm IMS Health show that people are beginning to cut back on basic health care needs as a result of economic pressures. Read the rest.

Rural Broadband Internet: FCC Authorizes Use of "White Space" for Internet Development
You are forgiven if you missed an important vote for rural America on November 4th. Another vote overshadowed it. In addition to an historic presidential vote, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to authorize the use of unlicensed “white space” for broadband internet development. Read the rest.

Economic Woes Best Addressed by Efforts Dealing with the Struggles of Modest Income and Estate Holdings
The gap between rich and poor in the U.S. is growing and is greater than in all but two of the world’s 30 richest market-based democracies (Mexico and Turkey), according to a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Read the rest.

Farm Bill Programs for You and Your Community:
2008 Farm Bill Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
Have you ever dreamed about being your own boss? If you have, you know it takes more than just a creative idea to build a thriving small business. Entrepreneurs need accounting and marketing skills, a business plan, access to capital and a knack for customer relations. However, not everyone has access to the education needed to develop these skills. Read the rest.

Across the Nation
Vermont: The Vermont state Agency of Agriculture organized a “Matchmaker” event to link farmers and buyers. Set up like a speed dating event, farmers met with buyers from supermarket chains, restaurants and food cooperatives for 10 minutes in hopes of fostering new partnerships. Read the rest including items from Iowa, South Carolina and nationwide.

The whole newsletter is here. To receive your own copy by mail or email each month sign up here, or if you are an RSS kind of person, get an RSS feed of it here. No matter how it's delivered, it's always free.