What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
Education, representation, and conversation all mean a great deal to Cynthia Alarcón, and she strives to offer opportunities to explore each of them to her fellow residents of Columbus, Nebraska.
- Small Towns
Recently, the Center for Rural Affairs was awarded $62 million to provide technical and financial support to community, rooftop, and multifamily affordable housing solar projects. The Nebraska Solar...
- Lending
- Small Towns
From California to Nebraska, Catherine Medina and her husband came a long way to live out their retirement dreams. The couple made a trip each year to see family in Schuyler, Nebraska and decided they wanted to retire nearby on an acreage. On one such trip, an opportunity presented itself.
- Farm and Food
Desde California hasta Nebraska, Catherine Medina y su esposo recorrieron un largo camino para hacer realidad sus sueños de jubilación. La pareja hacía un viaje cada año para ver a su familia en Schuyler, Nebraska, y decidieron que querían retirarse y vivir en un terreno cercano. En uno de esos viajes se presentó una oportunidad.
- Farm and Food
A degree in general agriculture and a desire to explore his options brought Charles Shapiro from New York to Nebraska in 1975. His passion for the practice kept him here to further his education, and...
- Small Towns
An expansion of a statewide farm-to-school program that brings Nebraska local food products to classrooms across the state is offering students and teachers an opportunity to learn about and try Indigenous foods.
- Farm and Food
The Center for Rural Affairs is one of 60 recipients of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Solar for All program. The announcement came in late April, with an award of $62.4 million going to...
- Lending
- Small Towns
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts are set to expire on more than 500,000 and 150,000 acres in Iowa and Nebraska, respectively, before the end of 2026, leaving landowners with the decision of what to do next. One option to consider is a unique program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency—the CRP-Transition Incentives Program (CRP-TIP).
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Clean energy progress is happening in the Fergus Falls and Sherburne County, Minnesota, communities where Hoot Lake and Sherco solar projects are adding substantial renewable energy to the grid to replace coal generation. As Minnesota utilities look to achieve 100% clean electricity generation by 2040, projects like these are vital to the transition.
- Policy
Los grandes movimientos a menudo requieren grandes inversiones. Cuando estás iniciando o expandiendo un negocio, el costo puede ser desalentador. Pero no dejes que eso te impida perseguir tus sueños. Esta guía lo ayudará a superar su primera experiencia crediticia.
- Lending
Big moves often require big investments. When you’re starting or expanding a business, the cost can be daunting. But don’t let that deter you from pursuing your dreams. This guide will help you get through your first-time lending experience.
- Lending
Transmission lines are the backbone of our nation’s power system, allowing electricity to flow from generation sources to consumers. As states like Minnesota transition toward a clean energy future, there is a need for modernizing and upgrading electric transmission systems.
- Policy
The Johnson Brothers Mill was built in 1945, and, at the time, was one of the most modern feed manufacturing buildings in southwest Iowa. The business continued to thrive until the 1990s, when changes occurred in the feed industry, and the mill closed. Margaret was able to get funding to restore the building.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
John Wallace siempre ha tenido preferencia por los pequeños rumiantes (ovejas y cabras). El fue criado en torno a la agricultura y, aunque se alejó durante algunos años mientras estaba en el ejército, la agricultura siempre ha sido su plan a largo plazo.
- Farm and Food
John Wallace has always had a preference for small ruminants (sheep and goats). He was reared around agriculture, and, although he stepped away for a few years while he was in the military, farming has been his long-term plan.
- Farm and Food
Andi McClintic has spent most of her life rooting for rural Nebraska and focusing her career on helping rural communities and businesses thrive. She works closely with all of the Center’s lenders, assisting them as they deal with small businesses and mortgage clients.
- Lending
As planting season winds down, farmers impacted by adverse weather events this spring may find themselves concerned about future crop yields. According to the National Weather Service, May 2024 had...
- Farm and Food
- Policy
For the past few summers, residents of Fremont, Nebraska, have had the good fortune to be able to sample authentic coastal flavors from Guerrero, Mexico, without leaving town.
- Lending
Durante los últimos veranos, los residentes de Fremont, Nebraska, han tenido la suerte de poder probar sabores auténticos costeros de Guerrero, México, sin tener que salir de la ciudad.
- Lending
After the House and Senate worked a long weekend to pass bills before a midnight deadline, Minnesota’s 2024 legislative session adjourned on May 20. The session brought progress to Minnesota’s clean energy transition.
- Policy
