Blog Posts & Stories

An inquisitive mind is the first step to learning something new. For Katie Bettin, that curiosity has guided her throughout her pursuit of urban farming. With the knowledge she’s acquired, she hopes...

Last week marked the end of bill introduction in the Nebraska Legislature. Senators introduced 812 new bills and 31 resolutions during the 10-day period. Committee hearings begin this week. Each bill...

Today is Day 10 of South Dakota’s 38-day legislative session, which will conclude March 27. All bills need to be introduced by Feb. 2 (Legislative Day 16) and must pass out of both houses by March 6...

We’re in the third week of Iowa’s legislative session. Lawmakers have been busy introducing legislation—a few hundred bills to date—with more expected to come.

Ellsworth Crossing, con sede en Waterloo, Nebraska, le da clientes la opción de comprar productos directamente de los rancheros y agricultores de Nebraska a través de su tienda o sitio web.

Ellsworth Crossing, based out of Waterloo, Nebraska, gives customers the option of buying products directly from Nebraska farmers through their storefront or online.

School scholarships have been a hot topic of discussion in the Iowa Legislature so far this session with Gov. Kim Reynolds’ introduction of the Students First Act.

The Center for Rural Affairs wants the Iowa Legislature to prioritize water quality and renewable energy in the new session. One priority is more funding for the 27 Watershed Management Authorities in Iowa.

The deadline is quickly approaching for farmers and ranchers to fill out the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the census to capture information on our nation’s farms, ranches, and the people who operate them.

Los procesadores de carne independientes de Nebraska ahora tienen acceso a $10 millones en capital de préstamo a través del Center for Rural Affairs.

Nebraska independent meat processors now have access to $10 million in loan capital through the Center for Rural Affairs.

​​​​​​​The wind that steadily blows an open field of prairie grass in the Great Plains just as easily moves the blades of wind turbines. Buffalo Ridge, in the southwest corner of Minnesota, has benefited from the industry since the 1990s. The geography of the ridge creates a wind rich environment favorable to energy production and taxes from the industry provide revenue to the region.

The recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 paved the way for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create more transparency and legitimacy around agriculture carbon markets...

Fouad Mhadji Issa dice que la próxima gran novedad será la vainilla de Nebraska. Como la carne de res o el maíz dulce. Koponi Vanilla, su empresa en Grand Island, Nebraska, vende frijoles, pasta y extracto gourmet. Fouad está trabajando arduamente para hacer de Koponi un producto de primera calidad buscado por chefs y panaderos caseros en todo el país.

Fouad Mhadji Issa says Nebraska vanilla will be the next big thing. Like beef. Or sweet corn. Koponi Vanilla, his business in Grand Island, Nebraska, sells gourmet beans, paste, and extract. Fouad is working hard to make Koponi a premium product sought after by chefs and home bakers nationwide.

The first week of the Nebraska legislative session saw the introduction of more than 200 new bills and resolutions. This week, senators will continue to introduce new bills ahead of the Jan. 18 deadline. Each bill introduced will be scheduled for a hearing in 1 of 14 standing committees.

The 2023 Iowa legislative session began Monday, and we are returning to provide updates from a rural perspective. This year’s session is expected to last 110 calendar days, ending in late April

Today marks the first day of the 2023 South Dakota legislative session. The Center for Rural Affairs will be tracking policies that affect the rural quality of life and intersect with our goal of...

Community-based and socially engaged art can help to build community, deepen understanding, and encourage empathy. I experienced this firsthand on a recent visit to the traveling virtual reality...

In 2017, local leaders in eastern Iowa came together with goals to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and protect their drinking water. Five years later, the Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority (WMA) has drummed up engagement from hundreds of community members, and is well-positioned to implement future projects.