What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
This summer, agrochemical, biotechnology, and seed giant Monsanto revealed an interest in acquiring their Switzerland-based competitor Syngenta. Initial merger serenades were sternly rebuffed by Syngenta, and Monsanto’s interest turned into a $46.5 billion hostile takeover.
- Farm and Food
“Payday loans” are short-term, high interest loans that take a heavy toll on the unsuspecting, and should be avoided. The main problem is the sinister combination of upfront fees and interest rates, which are very high - typically 300% to 400% per year.
- Lending
When you hear the words “farm to school,” what comes to your mind? Do you think of a farmer taking a bushel of freshly picked vegetables to a school kitchen? Crates of individual milk bags headed to students for their morning breakfast, and packaged on a dairy farm just 48 hours ago?
- Small Towns
The Center for Rural Affairs has focused on beginning farmers since 1990, when we analyzed the changing age of farmers. In 2009 we noticed an increasing number of inquiries from military veterans...
- Farm and Food
From our Top 10 Rural Research Reports, we recount a special series we ran on small, rural schools. It’s an A+ in our #tbt countdown.
- Small Towns
Take on two new life adventures at the same time? Sure, why not! Connie and Roger Kirkpatrick were married on Friday July 3, 2009. On Monday, July 6, they signed the papers for a REAP loan to purchase equipment for their new business, RCK Creations & More.
- Lending
October is National Farm to School month, and the enthusiasm is sweeping the nation. Here in Nebraska, we often talk about farm to school being a win-win-win for all: students, farmers, and communities.
- Small Towns
Number 5 in our countdown of the Center for Rural Affairs Top 10 Rural Research Reports is not for the faint of heart. This week the Throwback Thursday report is Swept Away: Chronic Harship and Fresh Promise on the Rural Great Plains, from 2003.
- Farm and Food
This fall the Center for Rural Affairs will partner with the Nebraska Indian Community College to bring together farmers, community members, students, and instructors to raise awareness of, monitor...
- Policy
School Name: Aurora Public School School Address: 300 L St, Aurora, NE 68818 Who is on your school’s internal Farm to School team? Food Service Director, Denise Bone who is beginning to partner with...
- Small Towns
For many of the rural communities along one of the nation’s scenic byways, byway marketing is the only avenue available to them for showcasing the unique tourism offerings in their area. These might be an annual festival, distinctive natural resource, remarkable small museum, or quaint mom-and-pop lodging and dining options.
- Small Towns
In August, individuals representing every county in Arizona descended on Clarkdale, Arizona, for the 9th Annual Arizona Rural Policy Forum. The forum connects rural economic development specialists, nonprofits, community leaders, business owners, and other folks interested in sustaining small towns and rural communities.
- Small Towns
During the 2-year debate on expanding Medicaid to low-income people without health insurance here in Nebraska, a major anti-Medicaid argument was that it doesn’t provide quality coverage for health care needs, and low-income residents would be better off uninsured.
- Policy
You have arrived at the 6th report in our countdown of Top 10 Rural Research Reports for a #tbt (Throwback Thursday) feature. Undoubtedly, there is a country song in this week's topics. The young move out. The old stay put. We get poorer. The brightest spot? New immigrants arrive.
- Small Towns
School Name: Overton School School Address: 401 7th St, Overton, NE 68863 Who is on your school’s internal Farm to School team? Food Service Director, Science teacher, Shop teacher/FFA Advisor, and...
- Small Towns
School Name: Bancroft-Rosalie Community School School Address: 708 Main St., Bancroft, NE 68004 Who is on your school’s internal Farm to School team? Superintendent, Food Service Director and staff...
- Small Towns
If you’ve been paying attention to the Center for Rural Affairs’ work with Native American communities, you know a grassroots movement for food sovereignty is underway.
- Small Towns
We clipped this ad from the local paper. This outfit seeks to “acquire” 5,000 acres of farmland in our home county. That will cost them nearly $50 million. They own 1,900 acres in the county now, and...
- Farm and Food
Water is a necessity for all living things. We have a responsibility to act as good stewards of our water, now and for future generations.
- Policy
It started out as a complex question. With more than 6 million beef cattle raised in Nebraska, and agriculture’s hold as the state’s top industry, why are Nebraska’s students not served local beef on their lunch trays?
- Small Towns
