USDA Rural Development

The Journey to the Next 90 Years

From its start in 1935 as a temporary agency to its role today as a cornerstone of USDA Rural Development, the legacy started by REA has never stopped evolving. We are proud of our 90-year journey and look forward to powering the future of rural America!

Transforming Daily Life

Imagine a world where every gallon of water was hand-pumped. REA brought electric pumps, refrigeration, and washing machines to the farm home, saving families countless hours of labor. Today, RUS continues this work by funding modern water systems and waste disposal for healthy communities.

Happy 90th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act! This historic effort is the driving force behind rural cooperatives bringing power to their communities. USDA’s Rural Utilities Service carries this mission forward. We celebrate and honor this historic effort!

Rural Electrification Act 90th Anniversary Celebration Celebration of 90 years of investing in rural electric infrastructure on the patio of the Whitten Building, USDA Headquarters, Washington D.C., May 27, 2026. The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, promoted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, fundamentally transformed rural America by providing feder...

Happy 90th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act! This historic effort is the driving force behind rural cooperatives bringing power to their communities. USDA’s Rural Utilities Service carries this mission forward. We celebrate and honor this historic effort!

Leadership and Vision

From the vision of FDR to the modern leadership at USDA, the goal has remained the same: To improve the quality of life and promote economic development in rural America. We honor the pioneers who saw potential in every rural acre.

The Power of the Cooperative

When private utilities thought rural areas were too expensive to serve, REA empowered farmers to form their own nonprofit cooperatives. Today, those same co-ops work with USDA Rural Development to innovate energy solutions.

Supporting the World

Electricity transformed the U.S. into a global leader in agriculture. From electric milking to automated irrigation, the REA (now Rural Utilities Service) provided the tools for farmers to feed the world more efficiently than ever before.

Bridging the New Digital Divide

In 1935, the "gap" was electricity. Today, it’s high-speed internet. Just as REA brought light to the country, USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is now aggressively building fiber-optic networks to ensure rural communities aren't left behind in the digital age.

Honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

This Memorial Day, USDA Rural Development pauses to remember the brave men and women who laid down their lives in service to our nation. Their courage and sacrifice protect the freedoms we cherish every single day.

Many of these heroes called small towns and family farms home. We are forever grateful to the service members who left the fields, main streets, and neighborhoods of rural America to defend our country.

Today, we honor their legacy by remaining deeply committed to the communities they loved, working every day to ensure rural families, veterans, and small towns continue to grow, thrive, and remain strong.

To all who have loved and lost a hero, we offer our profound gratitude and respect.

The 1994 Transformation: REA to RUS

A major milestone! In 1994, REA was abolished and its functions were assumed by the newly established Rural Utilities Service (RUS). This shift wasn't just a name change; it was a commitment to manage a broader range of essential infrastructure, including water and waste treatment.