The June 2026 Rural Mainstreet Index rose to 52.6, its highest reading since July 2023 — the first time the index has crossed above growth neutral in four months.
In this episode, Dr. Ernie Goss, MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University and co-creator of the Rural Mainstreet Index, breaks down what’s driving the improvement and why rural bankers say the pressure isn’t over.
Topics include why 41.9% of bankers named lowering global tariffs as their top federal priority, why cash rents have barely moved since 2022, why farm equipment sales remain in their longest slump in recent memory, and what the Iran ceasefire and Federal Reserve mean for farm input costs going forward.
June 2026 Rural Mainstreet Index highlights:
Overall index: 52.6, highest reading since July 2023
Tariffs: 41.9% of bankers name lower global tariffs as top federal priority
Cash rent: $251/acre, nearly flat from $250 in 2022
Farm equipment sales: 34th consecutive month below growth neutral
Farm and ranchland prices: Above growth neutral for the second consecutive month
Watch the full conversation above.
Hosted by Andrew Hoover.
Produced at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business / MCEI.
