USDA Rural Development (RD) is a mission area within the United States Department of Agriculture which runs programs intended to improve the economy and quality of life in rural parts of the United States.

It offers technical assistance and information to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations.

Rural Development also provides technical assistance to help communities undertake community empowerment programs and helps rural residents buy or rent safe, affordable housing and make health and safety repairs to their homes.

[3] The Rural Development Administration (RDA) was a USDA agency established by the 1990 farm bill (P.L.

103-354 Subtitle C), RDA was superseded by the Office of Rural Development following the 1994 reorganization of USDA authorized by P.L.