A state-administered program that provides employees with definite and sure compensation for injuries or death suffered in the course and scope of their employment. 

All activities that contribute to the material survival or livelihood of individuals and their households. The work that rural Americans do encompasses a wide variety of activities. 

discuss the wool industry and its place in the rural U.S. Since it is not possible to understand the wool industry without considering aspects of lamb production and marketing, this chapter will first discuss lamb and wool production patterns and practices. 

All individuals and companies involved in the production, transportation, marketing and sale of wine grapes, wine and wine-related products to domestic and international consumers.

The conversion of the kinetic energy present in the air currents into mechanical energy for the production of electricity or some other use such as pumping water or grinding grains. 

The way people view and relate to wildlife. Rural Americans have always had a special connection to wildlife.

Collecting information on animals, such as birds, mammals and reptiles, their habitats, behaviors and foods, and using this information in conjunction with the desires of people to manipulate (increase, decrease or sustain) populations. 

Living creatures not directly under human control. The term usually excludes fish, and is associated with larger animals such as birds, mammals and reptiles.

Land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions. 

All individuals and companies involved in the production, transportation, marketing and sale of wheat to domestic and international consumers.

The wide variety of areas from the shallow edge of open waters to areas that are often dry but are subject to seasonal flooding. 

Publicly funded provision of basic goods and services for families and individuals. In this entry we describe rural America’s relationship with welfare.

A set of global atmospheric phenomena that are, in many cases, of great importance to the biota of the rural U.S. 

Topographically delineated units of land that is defined as the area above some point in a stream or river that drains to that point.

Benefit gained when water is used to satisfy a variety of human needs.

Water employed as an input to activities or products that people enjoy, including withdrawals from ground or surface water sources for use elsewhere or the enjoyment of water where it is found, such as by fishing or boating in a stream or lake. 

Heraclitus observed that it was not possible to “step into the same river twice, for fresh waters are ever flowing in upon you.”

Unpaid activity performed outside the home. Voluntarism has long been recognized as a hallmark of rural American life.

Individuals and firms involved in the production, marketing, processing, handling, selling, or storage of vegetable plants grown primarily for human consumption. 

In general, those things thought to be good, whether abstract or concrete.

The set of issues related to processing raw agricultural commodities. Value-added agriculture is a multidimensional issue.

The conversion of rural land to urban uses that directly affects agriculture and other rural uses of land. 

Inadequate employment or employment-related hardship, such as employment that is less than full-time (including unemployment) and/or is inadequate with respect to training or economic returns (Lichter and Constanzo, 1987).

Joyce Kilmer in his poem “Trees” has captured the subject well through the eyes of a child and the sense of wonder.