When COVID-19 struck, Rock Front Ranch in California’s Cuyama Valley faced an uncertain future. With a $25,000 loan from RCAC’s RELieF program and dedicated training from RCAC’s BRE team, this regenerative organic farm not only weathered the storm but emerged with an even stronger foundation for future success.

In this issue, we speak with Julia Hnilicka, State Director for USDA Rural Development – Alaska. Hnilicka was born and raised in the rural Alaskan village of Nenana, where she has spent most of her life. Her upbringing as the child of a tugboat captain and an educator has provided her with a firsthand understanding of the complex issues confronting rural households.

In this issue, we spoke to Charlene Fernandez, Arizona State Director for USDA Rural Development. During our conversation, we discussed Fernandez’s background, including her experience in public service and her vision for ensuring that Arizona’s rural and Indigenous communities have the resources they need to thrive.

Josefina Lopez felt cornered. As a mother of four in the expensive coastal city of Port Hueneme, California, the weight of the world seemed to rest on her shoulders as she worked tirelessly to provide for her family. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and she fell behind on her mortgage payments, the financial pressure surged dramatically.

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) are on a mission to make affordable housing a reality for struggling families in Ventura County, California and the surrounding region