We are committed to keeping the issues facing rural America in the news media. Here you'll find news on the work we do on public policy, farming and ranching, small businesses, and rural communities.
Rural Nebraska is facing a health care workforce shortage, and projections show the trend will continue if it is not adequately addressed, according to a white paper released recently by the Center for Rural Affairs.
- Small Towns
Interviews focused on the history of sustainable agriculture have been turned into a limited podcast series, “Sustainable Agriculture Policy with Ron Kroese.”
- Farm and Food
- Small Towns
LYONS, NEBRASKA - Martin and Linda Kleinschmit of Hartington, Nebraska, have been chosen to receive the Center for Rural Affairs’ 2021 Seventh Generation Award. The lifetime service award is presented...
- Farm and Food
- Small Towns
NEVADA, IOWA – The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Kent Wiese, of Des Moines, to receive its 2021 Citizenship Award. The Citizenship Award is given to an individual or individuals who actively...
- Small Towns
LYONS, NEBRASKA – The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Anna Zeleny, of Oakland, to receive its 2021 Citizenship Award. The Citizenship Award is given to an individual or individuals who actively...
- Small Towns
- Policy
LYONS, NEBRASKA – The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Carime Ruvalcaba, of Grand Island, to receive the 2021 Women’s Business Center Entrepreneur Award. The Women’s Business Center Entrepreneur...
- Small Towns
LYONS, NEBRASKA – The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Alexandra Dillon, of Kearney, to receive its 2021 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is presented annually to an...
- Lending
- Small Towns
The Center for Rural Affairs applauds expansions to federal crop insurance recently announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). Both changes signal encouraging opportunities for farmers practicing conservation on their operations.
- Farm and Food
With the industry still struggling to regain its footing, Center for Rural Affairs staff and other supporters urged Nebraska lawmakers to provide funding for a program designed to assist local independent meat processors.
- Lending
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
On Tuesday, Center for Rural Affairs staff testified in support of two bills aimed at providing much needed stability for Nebraska small business owners during hearings before the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.
- Lending
The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Aliza Brunsing, of West Point, to receive the 2021 Rural Community Champion Award.
- Farm and Food
- Small Towns
Rural Iowans are invited to join state Rep. Norlin Mommsen for a discussion on strategies to build resilient rural communities during an online event set for Feb. 14. The Rural Resiliency Forum, which will be from 11 a.m. to noon
- Lending
- Small Towns
- Policy
As state and local officials across the country consider bills addressing broadband service and decide how to allocate funding received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, a new white paper from the Center for Rural Affairs offers ideas and solutions for improving access in rural areas.
- Small Towns
Becky Parker, of North Platte, has recently been hired as a loan specialist for the Center for Rural Affairs based in Lyons, Nebraska.
- Lending
- Small Towns
Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of workshops intended to navigate a year in the life of a veteran local farmer.
- Farm and Food
The Center for Rural Affairs is pleased to see Gov. Pete Ricketts’ support for small- and medium-sized meat processors, with the inclusion of $10 million to increase independent local processing capacity in his recommended state budget adjustments released Thursday.
- Lending
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
Family farms and local independent meat processors stand to benefit from a bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature by state Sen. Tom Brandt.
- Lending
- Farm and Food
The Center for Rural Affairs is applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its dedication to climate-smart agriculture following the agency’s announcement Monday that it plans to invest $38 million in a new program aimed at increasing cover crop acres. In addition, a key change to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) was announced.
- Policy
- Farm and Food
As consumer preference continues to shift toward local food, producers are working hard to meet this demand. However, supply chain challenges remain. That is especially true for the farmers and ranchers who raise livestock. Locker appointments can be hard to come by, and the wait time at U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected facilities can stretch beyond one year.
- Farm and Food
Community leaders in Norfolk and the surrounding areas are invited to attend a free Civity training event hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs this month.
- Lending
- Small Towns
