Blog Posts & Stories

Iowa hasn't seen as much economic pain as some other states during the pandemic, but many residents and small businesses are still struggling.

​​​​​​​The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many events to be cancelled this year, but it does not take away the opportunity to shop local during the holiday season. Communities across the country have found innovative ways to keep both business owners and customers safe.

We all need levity during this time. So, when the folks at Jollyville Radio, a weekly sketch comedy podcast, contacted us, we jumped at the opportunity. Each week they feature an organization "that is...

Affordable housing plays an instrumental role in rural community vibrancy and local economic development. Homeownership increases family and community stability, supports local businesses, and boosts...

​​​​​​​Iowa’s newly-elected Legislature is set to be sworn in for the 2021 session in January. While there will be some new faces in Des Moines, one thing is certain—Iowa’s water quality remains a key challenge.

Who deserves farm payments? The Center for Rural Affairs has long maintained that farm payments should be reserved for family farms facing difficult times, but the government and taxpayers should not...

At a time when public health is front-and-center in the dialogue about COVID-19, the need for an investment of $1.37 billion in Iowa’s natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities could not be more clear.

Rural businesses and communities have been waiting for Congress to pass a second stimulus package for months. With Election Day behind us, Congress should not delay in passing another stimulus bill. Two bipartisan proposed bills should be included, because they offer common-sense solutions to help rural economies weather the pandemic.

With a crazy 2020 almost on the books, let’s take a look at the opportunities your business has had available and what you need to do to cross the finish line on Dec. 31.

For those who have served in the military, agriculture can be a rewarding next move. Veterans who have gotten involved with farming after having served in the military have found possibilities they...

One of the Center for Rural Affairs’ many goals is to provide resources to women farmers. Through that work, the Center has been able to offer scholarships to women farmers, some who used that...

“The less work you do today, the more work there is for the future.” It’s a lesson Tim Wallinger learned when he was a boy on his father’s farm, heading out to chop thistles whether he wanted to or not.

Last week, a new round of grants was made available to help businesses and individuals in Nebraska cope with the effects of COVID-19. The application period ends on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. CT. Applications...

Dwight Dial knows that sustainability has many meanings, depending on whom you ask. To him, being sustainable means being able to answer a simple, but critical question: “will I be able to farm next year?”

The way we use and generate electricity has undergone a historic shift in the last decade due, in part, to changes in technology.

Here in Nebraska, we are moving into our third straight week of record-level COVID-19 cases. On average, 800 new cases are being reported a day, which is more than double the average just last month, and Nebraska has shot up to number five in the country for most cases of COVID-19 per capita.

Discussion and debate has always been a part of rural America. From coffee shops to the local co-op, rural residents aren’t afraid to show their loyalty for one candidate or another, share their thoughts on the issues of the day, and voice their distrust of the government. Sometimes opinions can spur disagreement and raise tensions. But, in the end, most of us will agree to disagree, shake hands, and go about our day.

The Conservation Stewardship Program in Nebraska is open for applications. Jim Dallegge, a farmer and rancher in Butler County, just ended his second five-year contract with the federal program, which gives financial and technical assistance for conservation efforts, like improving soil health and water quality.

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program offers payments to farmers and ranchers who may have suffered economic impacts caused by the coronavirus. It is not a loan, but a one-time payment to farmers and ranchers.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has helped farmers and ranchers across the country achieve conservation goals on their operations for nearly two decades. At the Center for Rural Affairs, we have the privilege of working with many of these producers every day. Here are a few of their stories.