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 2020 appropriations process by meeting or exceeding FY 2019 funding levels. USDA Rural Development programs provide critical investments to key rural county priorities.
  • Agriculture
    Policy Brief

    Support Key County Priorities as Congress Implements the 2018 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

  • 2020 NACo Policy Priorities

    Reports & Toolkits | Jan. 13, 2020

    NACo works to preserve local decision making, protect counties from unfunded mandates and preemption and strengthen the federal-state-local partnership.

  • Counties Applaud Farm Bill Passage

    Press Release | Dec. 13, 2018

    Key county victories achieved in rural development, nutrition, conservation

  • NACo Analysis of U.S. House and Senate versions of 2018 Farm Bill

    Document | Sep. 20, 2018

    As the governing authority over the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the farm bill is critical for counties who are responsible for delivering and administering vital services to many of our nation’s vulnerable families.

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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:

Advocacy

RAC Steering Committee

Chair

Robert Post
Commissioner
Banner County, Nebraska

 

Vice Chair

Jason Brinkley
County Judge
Cooke County, Texas

 

Melissa Cribbins
Commissioner
Coos County, Oregon

 

Kenneth Dahlstedt
Commissioner
Skagit County, Washington

 

Lena Fowler
Supervisor
Coconino County, Arizona

 

Vance Stuehrenberg
Commissioner
Blue Earth County, Minnesota

 

Robert Wilson
County Administrator
Cass County, North Dakota

 

Contact

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