Rural economy falls to five-year low – Brownfield Ag News

Report on the Rural Economic Downturn and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report analyzes the recent findings of the Rural Mainstreet Index, which indicates that the agricultural economy has declined to a five-year low as of October 2025. According to analysis by Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, this economic slump is primarily driven by weak agricultural commodity prices, which are suppressing economic activity throughout the Midwest. This downturn has significant negative implications for the achievement of several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to poverty, food security, economic growth, and inequality.

2.0 Key Economic Indicators

The latest data presents a challenging economic landscape for rural, agriculture-dependent communities. The primary findings are as follows:

• The Rural Mainstreet Index has fallen to its lowest level in five years.
• The principal cause identified is persistently weak prices for major agricultural commodities.
• The immediate consequence is a significant dampening of overall economic activity in the Midwest region.

3.0 Analysis of Impacts on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The reported economic conditions present considerable obstacles to progress on multiple SDGs. The connections are detailed below:

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   The decline in farm profitability and rural economic activity directly threatens the livelihoods of farmers and their communities. A sustained period of low income increases the risk of poverty in these regions, undermining efforts to ensure economic security for all.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   While the immediate issue is economic, the long-term viability of food production is at stake. Economic instability for farmers can hinder their ability to invest in sustainable agricultural practices and technology, which are crucial for maintaining a resilient and productive food supply to achieve zero hunger.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   The five-year economic low is a direct contradiction to the objectives of SDG 8. It signifies a lack of inclusive and sustainable economic growth in a vital sector, jeopardizing decent work and stable employment for millions dependent on the agricultural economy.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   An economic downturn that disproportionately affects rural areas exacerbates the economic disparity between rural and urban populations. This trend widens income gaps and works against the goal of reducing inequalities within the country.

4.0 Conclusion

The current economic pressure on the Midwest’s agricultural sector, as evidenced by the Rural Mainstreet Index, poses a significant threat not only to regional prosperity but also to the advancement of critical global sustainability targets. Addressing the economic health of these rural communities is intrinsically linked to achieving a more sustainable and equitable future as outlined by the SDGs. The challenges to farm profitability directly impact goals for poverty reduction, food security, economic growth, and equality.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 1: No Poverty – The article’s focus on a slump in the rural economy, driven by weak commodity prices, directly relates to the economic well-being and potential for poverty among farmers and rural communities. A “five-year low” in the ag economy suggests a significant threat to farm income and livelihoods, which is a core concern of SDG 1.
   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger – While not directly about food shortages, the article discusses the economic health of the agricultural sector (corn, soybeans, wheat). The economic viability and profitability of farming are fundamental to ensuring sustainable food production systems and supporting the incomes of food producers, which are key components of SDG 2.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article is centered on economic performance. The mention of the “Rural Mainstreet Index” slumping and dampened “economic activity” points directly to a lack of economic growth in the rural Midwest. This impacts the “decent work” aspect for those employed in agriculture, as farm profitability is compromised.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. The article’s report of a slumping rural economy and the implication of falling “farm income” directly threaten this target by potentially increasing poverty rates in agricultural communities.
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers… The article indicates a negative trend for this target. The mention of “weak agriculture commodity prices” and a slump in “farm profitability” shows that farmer incomes are likely decreasing, not doubling.
   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances… The article explicitly states the rural economy has “slumped to a five-year low,” which is the opposite of sustained economic growth and indicates a significant setback for this target in the context of the Midwest’s rural sector.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Rural Mainstreet Index: This is an explicit indicator mentioned in the article. It serves as a composite measure of economic health and activity in the rural, agricultural economy, directly reflecting progress (or lack thereof) towards SDG 8.
   • Agriculture commodity prices: The article explicitly identifies “weak agriculture commodity prices” as a cause for the economic slump. The price of commodities like corn, soybeans, and wheat is a direct indicator that affects farm income and profitability, which are crucial for measuring progress towards SDG 1 and SDG 2.
   • Farm income and profitability: While not stated with a specific value, these are strongly implied indicators through the article’s tags (“farm income,” “farm profitability”) and the overall discussion of a slumping “ag economy.” These metrics are essential for tracking the economic well-being of farmers (SDG 1, SDG 2).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 1: No Poverty	1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of people living in poverty.	Implied: Farm income.
   SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.	Mentioned: Agriculture commodity prices. Implied: Farm profitability.
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth.	Mentioned: Rural Mainstreet Index.

Source: brownfieldagnews.com