What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
As a railroad engineer, Tanner Connell worked long days and was constantly on call, stuck by his phone at all hours. After 12 years, he’d had enough, and decided to become his own boss. Trucking had...
- Lending
Welcome again to your update on the Nebraska Legislature. The past two weeks saw continued success for bills supported by the Center. Legislative Bill (LB) 366, a bill to improve the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit passed the first round of debate nearly without opposition (41-1 vote).
- Policy
- Farm and Food
- Lending
- Small Towns
Nearly five months after the start of the 2021 legislative session, state lawmakers are approaching the finish line. As lawmakers finalize their budgets and wrap up the session, 47 bills have already been signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
- Policy
I was born in rural Nebraska in the mid-1980s during a farm crisis. I would learn later in life that my family was fortunate enough to make ends meet with a combination of corn, soybeans, and 60 head of beloved Holstein cattle.
- Small Towns
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only exposed new challenges for rural Iowans in the past year, it has renewed calls for improved services to ensure a resilient future. With the introduction of his first...
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
- Policy
You have a great idea for a new small business. Congratulations! Now, what do you do to turn that idea into a legitimate business? To celebrate National Small Business Week, May 2 to 8, 2021, here is...
- Lending
Bumble bees are a charismatic and easily recognizable pollinator thanks to their loud buzz, fuzzy appearance, and distinct color patterns.
- Policy
- Farm and Food
Renewable energy projects are gaining momentum. Utility-scale solar and wind projects have continued to proliferate across the rural landscape as these sources of electricity have become more cost-effective than traditional fossil fuels.
- Policy
Ya sea por cierres de empleo o falta de clientes, la pandemia de coronavirus ha dejado innumerables negocios cerrados y personas sin trabajo. Claudia Escobedo y su esposo se encontraron en esa situación, pero han sacado lo mejor de las malas circunstancias.
- Lending
Whether due to lockdowns or lack of customers, the coronavirus pandemic has left countless businesses closed and people without jobs. Claudia Escobedo and her husband found themselves in that situation, but they have made the best out of bad circumstances.
- Lending
Carbon payment programs offer a financial opportunity for farmers implementing important conservation on their farms and while there has been growing excitement for these programs, standardization and verification is necessary.
- Policy
- Farm and Food
There is never a dull moment in Guadalupe Aracely Vazquez’s life. From raising her children to planning parties of every kind, the decorator does it all.
- Lending
Nunca hay un momento aburrido en la vida de Guadalupe Aracely Vázquez. Desde la crianza de sus hijos hasta la planificación de fiestas de todo tipo, la decoradora lo hace todo.
- Lending
Communities across Nebraska are banding together in response to the COVID-19 health emergency, and volunteers have become critical for distributing vaccines.
- Small Towns
- Policy
Welcome again to your update on the Nebraska Legislature. The past two weeks have seen the advancement of a number of bills supported by the Center, as well as debate and advancement of the state budget.
- Policy
- Farm and Food
- Lending
- Small Towns
We are nearing the end of the 2021 legislative session as lawmakers concluded their 14th week last Friday. We have been continually grateful for the support that countless rural Iowans have demonstrated for the priorities we are pursuing this year.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Melissa Florell became aware of the Center growing up near the Center’s home office in Lyons, Nebraska. Though she now lives outside Kearney, Nebraska, with her family, Melissa’s connection with the Center spans most of her career.
- Small Towns
- Policy
Last Friday, the Biden administration released a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. While full details have yet to be released, the Center is encouraged to see priorities focused on rural America, such as conservation in agriculture, broadband, and clean energy in rural communities, included.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Legislative Bill (LB) 108, a bill to fix a flaw known as the “cliff effect” in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received first round approval in the Nebraska Legislature on April 14.
- Farm and Food
Rural America has always been a part of Maureen Timblin’s life. She grew up on a farm in western Iowa, where her five brothers helped their dad with the family’s crops and livestock, and Maureen helped her mom around their home.
- Small Towns
