Business / Agriculture Glossary

Risk Management Agency: An independent office within USDA that is responsible for the supervision of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation: the administration and oversight of the federal crop insurance program an . . . View Full Definition

Risk-Benefit Analysis: Comparison of the short- and long-term risks to the overall societal benefits of an activity, chemical use, or technology. When risks and benefits are expressed in monetary terms, this is ef . . . View Full Definition

Rodenticide: A pesticide used to destroy, control, or deter mice and rats or other rodent pests from damaging food, crops, etc.

Rotational (Intensive) Grazing: Pasturing system that allows short periods of heavy use, followed by a recovery period: it allows the forage to be used more fully and effectively.

Roundup Ready Soybeans (RR Soybeans): Genetically engineered glyphosate-tolerant soybeans. Roundup is the trade name for glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide. Farmers planting RR soybeans pay more for the seed, must use certai . . . View Full Definition

RPA Assessment - Program: As required by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, the Forest Service makes a periodic (every 10 years) national assessment of renewable resource supplies, dem . . . View Full Definition

Ruminant: An animal with a stomach that has four compartments, and a more complex digestive system than other mammals. Ruminants include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, bison, elk, and camels. Swine, dogs . . . View Full Definition

Rural: The Bureau of the Census defines the rural population (in contrast to urban) as all persons living in the open country, plus those in places of less than 2,500 inhabitants that are beyond th . . . View Full Definition

Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS): One of three USDA agencies charged with implementing rural development policies and programs. The RBS provides loans, guarantees, technical assistance, and grants to rural businesses and coo . . . View Full Definition

Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP): A program established by the rural development Title of the FAIR Act of 1996 under which USDA is authorized to provide state rural development block grants, direct and guaranteed loans, and . . . View Full Definition

Rural Development Trust Fund: Authorized under the FAIR Act of 1996 the trust fund is used to distribute Rural Community Assistance Program funds. Funds are allocated among states based on such factors as rural populatio . . . View Full Definition

Rural Electric Cooperatives: There are 874 electric distribution cooperatives and 60 generation and transmission cooperatives in the United States, which provide electric service to some 30 million people in 46 States. . . . View Full Definition

Rural Electrification Administration: The predecessor USDA agency to the Rural Utilities Service charged with administering certain telephone and rural electric cooperative loan programs.

Rural Home Loans: Section 502 loans are available through the Rural Housing Service to low- and moderate-income rural households to purchase and repair single-family homes.

Rural Home Repair Loans And Grants: Section 504 Loans and grants are available through the Rural Housing Service to lower income rural homeowners for making repairs.

Rural Housing Preservation Grants: Section 533 grants are available through the Rural Housing Service for repairing and rehabilitating rural housing for low- and very low-income families.

Rural Housing Service (RHS): The USDA agency responsible for administering the housing programs including direct loans, loan guarantees, rental assistance payments, and grants for low income families residing in rural a . . . View Full Definition

Rural Multifamily Housing Loans: Section 515 loans are available through the Rural Housing Service for providing rental housing for low- and moderate-income families in rural areas, and for congregate housing for the elderl . . . View Full Definition

Rural Rental Assistance: Section 521 rental assistance available through the Rural Housing Service reduces out-of-pocket cash that very-low-income and low-income families pay for rent, including utilities.

Rural Utilities Service (RUS): An agency within USDA charged with administering activities that support rural telecommunications, distance learning and telemedicine, electrical, and water and waste disposal activities. RU . . . View Full Definition

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): P.L. 93-523 (December 16, 1974) as amended, is the key federal law for protecting public water systems from harmful contaminants. First enacted in 1974, the Act, as amended, is administered . . . View Full Definition

Safe Meat And Poultry Inspection Panel: A permanent advisory panel that could be created under a provision of the FAIR Act of 1996. The panel would review and evaluate inspection policies and procedures and any proposed changes to them.

Sales For Local Currencies: A provision of P.L. 480 that permits a portion of commercial sales (under Title I) to be repaid in the country’s local currency.

Salmonella: A pathogenic, diarrhea-producing bacterium that is the leading cause of human food borne illness among intestinal pathogens. It is commonly found in varying amounts in raw meats, poultry, mi . . . View Full Definition

Salvage Rider: Section 2001 in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-19, July 27, 1995) to expand salvage timber sales from July 27, 1995 through December 31, 1996, by exempting t . . . View Full Definition

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