Policy Priorities

Federal and state governments should pass policy to improve the lives of people in rural communities. Rural advocates from across the country have united around common values and shared challenges and identified four primary pillars for rural progress. Within each pillar, there are strategic, popular and meaningful policies that can be adopted now.

1. End Historic Discrimination

Everyone, regardless of where we live or what we look like, should have the freedom to vote, a safe place to live and work, and the opportunity to thrive. Ensure Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian people are involved in policy making and implementation. Respect and support sovereign rights of Tribal Governments.

3. REIN IN CORPORATE MONOPOLIES AND PRIORITIZE WORKING PEOPLE AND LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

Level the playing field for working families, small businesses, and family farms. Strengthen antitrust laws to eliminate the outsize power of monopolies. Ensure people in rural communities have choices and opportunities for living wages and essential benefits, as well as access to natural resources.

4. BUILD A RURAL ECONOMY THAT PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY AND IS SUSTAINABLE, NOT EXTRACTIVE

Reliance on extractive industries like fossil fuels, factory farming and industrial timber must end. A new economy can be built on regenerative food, clean and sustainable energy production, small business innovation, and a strong public sector. Rural policy must prioritize resilient local economies and putting people, small businesses, family farms, and communities first.