To learn more, visit the Rural Ministry Web site.
To visit other program and service units of the ELCA, return to Churchwide Organization.
ELCA BISHOPS' MESSAGES
● Our Rural Strength by Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, June 1, 2002 [audio] [text]
● Farming and the Future by Bishop H. George Anderson, October 1, 2000 [text]
LITURGIES AND PRAYERS
● Litany on the Agriculture Crisis
● Pray for Rural America
● Resources for Prayer / Ritual at the Loss of a Farm
● Service of Farewell to a Farm
ELCA RESOURCES
● 
In the Face of the West Wind: Rural Churches in the Midwest
● A photo essay of Lutheran churches in the Midwest
● Considering a Rural Call: Could you be a possible candidate
● for congregations in rural America?
● Bridge the Gap Between Rural and [Sub]urban Youth Ministry
● ELCA Domestic Disaster Response Resources for Rural Ministry
● What's Going On? Starting a Conversation with Rural America
ELCA ADVOCACY
● ELCA Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs (LOGA) Rural Concerns (main page)
ACTION ALERTS
● Rural e-Updates
For the latest in education, advocacy, and spirituality news for small town and
rural people from the Rural Ministry Office, subscribe to Rural e-Updates.
FARMING/RANCHING RESOURCES
● Agricultural Missions, Inc
● [www.agriculturalmissions.org]
● Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems
● University of Wisconsin-Madison site dedicated to services, resources and
● research for "sustainable agriculture." [www.wisc.edu/cias]
● Community Food Security Coalition
● [www.foodsecurity.org]
● Humane Farming Association
● Gives information on how animals are currently inhumanely raised and
● slaughtered for human consumption. [www.hfa.org]
● The Land Stewardship Project
Fosters an ethic of stewardship for farmland, promotes sustainable agriculture
and sustainable communities [www.landstewardshipproject.org]
● National Farmers Organization
[www.nfo.org]
● National Farmers Union
Consolidation in the food and agricultural system. [www.nfu.org]
● Rural Assistance Center
[www.raconline.org]
● The Organization for Competetive Markets
[www.competitivemarkets.com/ocm1.html]
● United States Department of Agriculture
Farm-related information. [www.usda.gov]
● USDA Rural Development Online
[www.rurdev.usda.gov]
● Western Organization of Resource Councils
[www.worc.org]
RURAL LIFE, RURAL LIVING
● Center for Rural Affairs
Includes weekly updates on actions in U.S. Congress, advocacy research,
information and general education programs. [www.cfra.org]
● Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG)
Nonprofit law center dedicated to keeping family farmers on the land.
[www.flaginc.org]
● Kansas Rural Center
A non-profit organization that promotes the long-term health of the land and its
people through research, education, and advocacy. [www.kansasruralcenter.org]
RURAL CHURCH
● Center for Theology and Land
A Program of Wartburg Seminary and the U of Iowa [www.ruralministry.com]
● National Catholic Rural Life Conference
Reflections on the role of the church in rural crisis. [www.ncrlc.com]
RURAL HEALTH & MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
● Center for Church Health
[www.churchhealth.org]
● The Community Food Security Coalition
Dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems
that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food
for all people at all times. [www.foodsecurity.org]
● Domestic Violence in Rural Communities: A Literature Review and Discussion
Domestic Violence in Rural Communities: "Literature Review and Discussion."
[www.marshall.edu/jrcp/vole1/vol_e1_1/vole1no1.html]
● Farmnews
[www.farmnews.co.nz]
● Health Center - Stress
Dedicated to delivering high-quality, interactive health experience via the Internet.
[www.health-center.com/english/brain/stress]
● National Association of Rural Mental Health
Articles related to rural mental health; specifically "How Long Will This Farm
Crisis Last" and "Mental Health and Ministry: The Vital Connection"
[www.narmh.org]