Center for Rural Affairs office
About
For more than 50 years, we've been working for rural America.

About

We are unapologetically rural. We stand up for rural America—the small family farmer and rancher, new business owner, and rural communities.

Since 1973, we've been a leading force engaging people to build a better rural future. Our policy work spans the nation and is focused in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Our on-the-ground work with communities and farmers takes place in Iowa and Nebraska. We lend to small businesses and homeowners in Nebraska.

As long as rural advocates are needed for sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and community development, you can bet we’ll be in the front lines, building a bright rural future.

The Center for Rural Affairs is a nonprofit, mission-driven lender focusing on underserved communities, primarily to rural, Latino, Native, and other communities that mainstream finance doesn’t traditionally reach. We are a Community Development Financial Institute, certified by the U.S. Treasury. What is a CDFI?

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Mission & Values
The Center for Rural Affairs' mission is to establish strong rural communities, social and economic justice, environmental stewardship, and genuine opportunity for all while engaging people in decisions that affect the quality of their lives and the future of their communities. Values RESPONSIBILITY...
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News Releases
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.
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Reports & Publications
We aren't afraid of the weeds. The people living in rural America deserve a serious and in-depth look at the issues and forces impacting their communities.
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Blog Posts & Stories
What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
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Upcoming Events
From small business trainings to beginning farmer learning circles to town hall events with lawmakers and more, we strive to connect you with resources and peers across rural communities. We are organizing more events for you.
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Staff Members
We celebrate our rural culture while working on national issues that impact all rural citizens. We live and work rural.
Center for Rural Affairs board meeting
Board Members
Our dedicated board drives forward our Center for Rural Affairs mission and values. Members meet quarterly and regularly provide support to staff.
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Award Winners
Each year, we honor the rural champions who help us accomplish so much for rural America. Your actions and your values lay the foundation for a better rural future. With you by our side, we’ll continue fighting for the future we know is possible.