A framework to categorize and examine the resources of a community. This article describes natural, cultural, human, social, political, financial and built resources using the community capitals framework.

A uniquely human condition that connotes belonging to something larger than oneself in which each individual constitutes an important part, a part that would be missed in the complexity of the whole if for some reason absent.

The interaction among individuals and groups for mutual support. Different types of community are examined in this article. Community resources, including social capital, social infrastructure, and recommendations for community change are discussed.

The process whereby licensed inspectors obtain representative samples and inspect the samples for quality and sanitary characteristics.

Universally used body coverings made from natural agricultural products (e.g., cotton, linen, ramie, silk and wool fibers) or manufactured fibers (e.g., wood pulp or petroleum derivatives).

Adaptability to the length of growing season and the intervening winters that limit the growing seasons.

Civic Agriculture Locally organized system of agriculture and food production that is characterized by a network of producers who are bound together by community and place (Lyson, 2004).

Religious organizations, the functions of which typically include worship, religious socialization of the young and new members, evangelization of non-churched persons, and improving society members’ quality of life.

A constant, but increasingly fragile, feature of the American rural landscape, cemeteries present a concentrated resource for the study of history, ethnicity, art and a variety of evolving cultural values.

Occupations, jobs or professions in agriculture or related fields. The food and fiber system (FFS) is a source of jobs and earnings for millions of American workers, encompassing a wide range of occupations from farm suppliers to fast food chains.

Organized recreational and educational enrichment opportunities for children and adults that develop a sense of community through a sustained experience among youth and adults often in a nature-based setting.

Economic activity based on creating products made from renewable materials grown in farm fields, coastal waters or managed forests.

Species diversity ranging from the genetic material level to that of ecosystems across the landscape.

Farm buildings to shelter harvested crops, livestock or machinery. This entry discusses the history of barn architecture; how American barn design reflects changes in agricultural and building technology over the past two centuries; the decline of traditional barn architecture; and the use of historic barns on farms today.

Lending practices of commercial banks that serve rural America. Banking practices are undergoing significant changes.

Ethnic groups who stem their origins to the continent of Asia and the Pacific Islands.

One of the ways in which the cultural values of rural communities are identified, conserved, celebrated and transmitted.

The process of thoughtfully creating spaces, specifically buildings, to serve human purposes. Architecture expresses cultural values in the built environment.

Raising or fattening of fish in enclosures, usually ponds, cages, tanks or raceways. The growth of American aquaculture has been dramatic in the last decade. The first part of this entry describes industry trends for several major and emerging species of fish.

Beekeeping, bee culture, the care and management of honey bee colonies. The name comes from the scientific name for honey bee (Apis mellifera), Latin for honey maker.

A movement and a belief system that proposes a different standard for moral treatment of animals than that widely held in European-based cultural traditions.

One of the aboriginal or native peoples of the Americas. As its first occupants, American Indians have had an enduring influence on rural America.

The development and management of plant and soil resources to produce abundant, high-quality food, feed and fiber crops in a protected environment.

The study of integrated farming systems based on ecological principles.