What Is Frontier?
The Real Frontier
Throughout our history, the concept has sparked imaginations, and invoked notions of a dynamic way of life. While this can sometimes be true, the frontier also reflects racial and geographic inequity in America.
Fifty-six percent of America is considered to be frontier, with over 12 million people living in remote areas. Despite differences, these communities share issues common to sparse populations that are chronically underserved by traditional public policy frameworks.
NCFC works to drive better-informed public and economic policy that recognizes frontier variations so these communities can thrive. This means clear paths to federal and state funding and programs, equitable resource distribution, infrastructure, and effective regional and community non-profit organizations.
Definitions
American frontier lands are remote, and often historically indigenous. They are rural and agricultural. They are towns built around mining and other natural resources. They include reservations, trusts, and other federally controlled areas managed by the forest service, military, national parks, the Bureau of Land Management, and other agencies.
It’s critical that policymakers, governments and organizations share a baseline definition. Today there isn’t one inclusive and complete definition – though NCFC is driving ongoing efforts to create one at a federal level.
NCFC Composite Designation of Frontier Counties
A three variable matrix of population density, travel time, and distance to market/service centers is used to describe frontier communities to address creation and maintenance of basic infrastructure and services. These variables determine day to day access to food, utilities, and provisions, as well as medical and emergency support.
- Density of between 12 and 20 persons per square mile
- Distance to a service/market between 30 and 90 miles
- Travel time to service/market between 30 and 90 minutes
Challenges
Rural and sparsely populated communities are more likely to lose population, be persistently poor, and have an unskilled labor force with limited education. Migration in and out results in new patterns, demographics and changing community needs. Inconsistent policy and economic development compound the challenges.
- Food insecurity
- Little to no new economic development and healthcare access initiatives
- Lack of reliable, high-speed essential communication technologies
- Immediate and long-term impact of public health events (COVID-19)
- High levels of suicide and bankruptcy resulting from the loss of family farms
- Climate change threats for arid and semi-arid areas, freshwater resource issues
- Youth of ethnic background mass leaving behind older, chronically poor people.
- Insufficient Community Wellness support programs
- Lack of philanthropic interest
- Longstanding federal and state disinvestment and underinvestment.
- Growing economic inequality and gentrification in amenity-rich areas
Solutions
Living in frontier communities should feel modern, safe, and up-to-date. Over the past 20 years, we’ve been at the forefront of defining, supporting and expanding services for the millions of Americans who live in remote areas. Our mission is to address equity resource issues to build a healthy, resilient frontier.
Advocacy
Building better national, state and regional policy for the frontier through active engagement with legislative and government leaders.
Non-Profit & Small Government Support
Helping organizations improve outcomes and make real impact with support, advice, resources and frameworks.
Foundational Frontier Programs
Frontier Food Systems support from seed to plate to help frontier communities and nonprofits expand their local food economies. Prevention, Wellness & Resilience programs, considering the conditions of where people live, work and play to impact health risks, and improve outcomes.