Niobrara Nebraska from nearby hill

Blog Posts & Stories

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​​​​​​​Fall is here and once again, folks across the nation are focusing on local food for our school districts. October is Farm to School Month which provides a chance for teachers and administrators to inspire and educate students on where their food comes from.
  • Farm and Food
It has been well reported by now that Nebraska holds the distinction of being one of only two states to have refused an emergency federal boost to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as “food stamps”).
  • Farm and Food
  • Small Towns
El Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. (USDA) abrió las solicitudes el 21 de septiembre para el nuevo Programa 2 de Asistencia Alimentaria por Coronavirus (CFAP 2). Este programa ofrece pagos a muchos agricultores y ganaderos por los impactos económicos causados ​​por el coronavirus.
  • Farm and Food
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) opened applications on Sept. 21 for the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2). This program will offer payments to farmers and ranchers who may have suffered economic impacts caused by the coronavirus.
  • Farm and Food
Speaking to an invisible audience on the other side of a computer screen, Nebraska State Senator Tom Brandt introduced himself as a Plymouth native and Tri County High School Class of 1978 graduate. He then recited his decades of experience in the meat industry.
  • Small Towns
As Iowans continue to work through a year headlined by a global pandemic, racial justice, and most recently, a derecho that hit central and eastern portions of the state, the Center for Rural Affairs...
  • Policy
For producers who sustained damage during the Aug. 10 derecho, the Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a funding opportunity to help restore conservation practices, with an application deadline of Oct. 2.
  • Farm and Food
Farmers and ranchers are incredibly resilient. In many instances, they are used to addressing problems on their own, but there are some challenges we all can use a helping hand to get through.
  • Farm and Food
Until almost a decade ago, Nina Lanuza had always lived in big cities. Then, she moved to Schuyler, Nebraska, and hasn’t looked back since. “At this point in my life, I don’t think I will ever move...
  • Small Towns
Farmers and ranchers in the North Central Region interested in exploring sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research are encouraged to apply for a Farmer Rancher Grant through the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE).
  • Farm and Food
This year, many more Iowans have flocked to parks and other outdoor spaces to escape the pandemic. That's prompted calls for more government investment in natural resources, and to make them more accessible to people of color.
  • Policy
For most of us, the nearly two years that have passed since Nebraskans voted to expand Medicaid might be inconsequential. But, for 90,000 people stuck in the coverage gap the passing time has gone by without peace of mind.
  • Policy
​​​​​​​At the close of 2020’s unusual Nebraska legislative session, a long-sought grand compromise on property tax relief and business incentives was reached, but not without some controversy and disagreement.
  • Small Towns
​​​​​​​As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit the Midwest hard, Nebraska stands apart as the only state in the union halting the emergency boost to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from the federal government, which allows recipients to receive the maximum benefit in food assistance.
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
​​​​​​​As the new school year gets underway across the nation, we are seeing a renewed focus on agriculture education and local food.
  • Farm and Food
Aug. 10, 2020, is a day I will never forget. A storm with winds comparable to an inland hurricane, called a derecho, blew through the corn belt and hit Iowa from west to east along U.S. Highway 30 at varying intensity, causing damage to homes, buildings, and crops.
  • Small Towns
Nebraska will be defending its regional title in this year's Crunch Off competition, where schools across the nation devour locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Farm and Food
The 2018 farm bill required the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to solicit feedback from farmers about how crop insurance could better serve non-traditional folks. There are still a few...
  • Farm and Food
​​​​​​​Coffee talk that once revolved around the weather and crops has evolved to include the latest COVID-19 numbers and milling over who got it and how they are doing. When one of the two regular employees at the Left Bank Cafe tested positive, those morning conversations came to a halt.
  • Lending
The wind energy industry remains one of the fastest growing in the U.S. It has not only increased capacity, but provided consumers and utilities with clean energy while creating additional economic benefits, such as tax revenue, career opportunities and direct payments to landowners who host turbines.
  • Policy