The Center for Rural Affairs’ work in 2025 reflected many of the priorities rural communities continue to raise: access to essential services, locally owned businesses, innovative approaches to agriculture and energy, and most importantly, the people who hold rural America together.

The Heartland Regional Food Business Center was established in 2023 as a resource for farmers and entrepreneurs. The program was created as part of a national initiative to strengthen America’s food supply, and in two short years, we helped more than 1,330 farmers and food entrepreneurs take steps toward building stronger local food systems and awarded more than $3.7 million in grants to small businesses.

In rural communities, independent grocery stores often serve as the lifeblood of Main Streets. As cornerstone businesses, local grocers rely on relationships between customers and farmers to keep money local and rural economies strong.