National Association of Counties

Rural Action Caucus

Rural Impact County Challenge
Recognizing the critical role local officials play in supporting innovation and change, NACo and the White House Rural Council have come together on a national initiative to help advance counties’ efforts to reduce the number of rural children and families living in poverty

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NACo's Rural Action Caucus (RAC) is a key component of NACo.  RAC is the voice for America's rural counties before Congress and the Administration.  Nearly two-thirds of the nation's 3,069 counties are designated as rural, with a combined population of 60 million.

County elected officials from these rural areas are dedicated to solving many critical issues impacting rural life and development. These include infrastructure development, broadband deployment, development of new rural clinics and hospitals, road and bridge construction and maintenance, business development opportunities and many more county responsibilities.

Since 1997, NACo's Rural Action Caucus has addressed critical federal, state and local issues.

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Policy Briefs

  • Agriculture
    Policy Brief

    Maintain Funding for USDA Rural Development Programs

    Urge your Members of Congress to support U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development programs throughout the FY 2018 appropriations process by meeting or exceeding FY 2017 funding levels. USDA Rural Development programs provide critical investments to key rural county priorities.
  • Agriculture
    Policy Brief

    Congress Begins Work on Next Farm Bill

    Urge your members of congress to support county priorities throughout the development of the next farm bill. Programs throughout the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) help counties make critical investments in infrastructure, workforce and economic development, nutrition and conservation for some of our nation’s most underserved communities. Preserving these programs is vital to the strength and stability of our local and national economy. 
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Latest Resources

  • NACo Report: Medicaid Coverage and County Jails

    Reports & Toolkits | Sep. 12, 2018

    In order to educate federal policymakers on issues around Medicaid and justice-involved individuals, NACo recently released a new report titled, "Medicaid Coverage and County Jails: Understanding Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Health Outcomes for Justice-Involved Individuals."

  • NACo Letter to 2018 Farm Bill Conferees

    Advocacy | Jul. 25, 2018

  • Farm Bill 101: Overview of NACo priorities throughout the Farm Bill

    Reports & Toolkits | Mar. 29, 2018

    The Farm Bill contains programs that assist counties in rural development efforts, nutrition assistance programs, conservation initiatives, renewable energy deployment, support for new farmers and ranchers, and business development initiatives.

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Get involved with RAC.  Individual county officials or staff from NACo member counties are eligible to join. RAC members receive periodic updates on key issues affecting rural counties. Learn more:

RAC Steering Committee

Chair

James Schmidt
Commissioner
Lincoln County, South Dakota

 

Vice Chair

Jason Brinkley
County Judge
Cooke County, Texas

 

Kenneth Dahlstedt
Commissioner
Skagit County, Washington

 

James Ebert
Commissioner
Weber County, Utah

 

Vance Stuehrenberg
Commissioner
Blue Earth County, Minnesota

 

Arlanda Williams
Councilwoman
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, Louisiana

 

Contact

  • Arthur Scott
    Associate Legislative Director – Political Outreach Manager  
    (202) 942-4230

Advocacy