Rural+Information+Center

M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., at the National Agricultural Library (NAL). Or you can ask your question at the DC Reference Center (DCRC) and the staff will relay it to a Rural Information Specialist at NAL.
 * By e-mail:** [|**Ask a Question form**]
 * By phone:** 1-800-633-7701
 * By fax:** 301-504-5181
 * By post mail:**

Rural Information Center National Agricultural Library 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Room 132 Beltsville, MD 20705-2351

[|//**http://ric.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?tax_level=1&info_center=5**//]

The Rural Information Center (RIC) assists local communitiesby providing information and referral services to local, tribal, state, and federal government officials; community organizations; libraries; businesses; and citizens working to maintain the vitality of America's rural areas.The RIC Web site contains over 3,000 links to current and reliable information on a wide variety of [|rural resources] and [|funding sources], including [|RIC's Database: Federal Funding Sources for Rural Areas Database].

RIC staff provide customized information products to specific inquiries including assistance in economic revitalization issues; local government planning projects; funding sources; technical assistance programs; research studies; and other related issues. RIC staff process a broad array of general and funding information requests on such topics as: RIC staff also refer users to organizations or experts in the field who can provide additional information.
 * Successful strategies, models, and case studies of community development projects
 * Small business attraction, retention, and expansion
 * Housing programs and services
 * Tourism promotion and development
 * Recycling programs
 * Community water quality
 * Technology transfer to rural areas