Perhaps life in the country isn't so bad after all, relatively speaking.

Recent stories about rural Americans unable to cash in on the bullish economy failed to mention that more rural Americans than city folk own their own homes.

Thanks, in part, to a portfolio of government programs that embody the work ethic of rural life, a record 75 percent of rural Americans own their own homes, compared to the 67 percent nationwide record, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"This is a genuine cause for celebration," said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman.

"Home ownership is a key to fulfilling the American dream. When people own their homes, they build equity for their future and the future of their children, and become more involved in the affairs of their community."

Glickman made the announcement recently in Orlando, Fla. where he presented Terika Baker with the key to her new home. Baker had been building the home for the past six months through the federal agriculture department's Self-Help Housing Program. Baker, a single mother, worked like most program participants building a better home to raise children.

"By substituting sweat equity for cash, these people -- most of whom would never otherwise become homeowners -- are able to build a brighter future for themselves and their children," Glickman said.

Much like Habitat for Humanity, the self-help program helps groups of up to 20 low-income families build their own homes. The agriculture department provides financial backing, while a local partner agency acquires the land, develops the site, trains participants in building skills and supervises the construction. The families agree to work as a team, and no one moves into their home until all the houses in the development are completed. The program is active in 43 states and helps 1,500 rural families build homes each year.

Other USDA rural housing programs designed to help 65,000 more rural households join the growing ranks of home ownership this year, include: Home Ownership Loans finance no-down payment loans at favorable rates and terms to purchase, construction, rehabilitation or relocation of a dwelling and related facilities for low-or moderate-income rural people.

Rural Rental Housing Loans help finance development and construction of multi-family homes for people with low, very low and moderate incomes, some of whom are 62 and older. Since June 11 and the following 100 days, the program is using more than $74 million for some 2,500 new rental housing units. That doubles the amount available in all of 1998. Home Improvement Loans and Grants help low-income rural homeowners remove health and safety hazards from their homes and to make homes accessible for people with disabilities.

Still other programs include loans and grants for farm labor housing, home preservation grants to help low-income homeowners repair and rehabilitate their homes, and subsidies to assist with mortgage and rental payments.

Editor's note: A photo of Secretary Glickman at a Self-Help Housing event is available Here