What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
I’ve put in some serious windshield time this year. Mornings have been early and evenings have gone late. I’ve honestly loved every minute. And while getting to see different parts of our big, beautiful country is wonderful, the most rewarding part of my travels is meeting people like you.
- Small Towns
In partnership with Polk County and Iowa Cover Crop, the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has planted a cover crop demonstration plot for farmers and landowners to visit at their...
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Once Amy Gerdes had a taste of small-scale, sustainable agriculture, she fell in love with it. Whether educating future farmers or tending her own land, her passion shines through everything she does...
- Farm and Food
Chris Trumler knows a thing or two about conservation. After majoring in Animal Science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, he returned home in 1994 to start farming on 640 acres. Since then, Chris...
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Garretson Public Schools received a boost last year when the district was awarded nearly $1.2 million to add three electric buses to its fleet. The grant was the largest such award in South Dakota and...
- Small Towns
- Policy
Pham’s Coffee & Boba en Grand Island, Nebraska, no es una cafetería típica. Desde hacer un pedido hasta que toman el primer sorbo, los clientes disfrutan de una experiencia envolvente, educativa y deliciosa.
- Lending
Pham’s Coffee & Boba in Grand Island, Nebraska, is not a typical coffee shop. From placing an order to taking the first sip, customers are in for an immersive, educational, and delicious experience.
- Lending
In everything she does, Dr. Karletta Chief strives to build a better future. Raised on the Navajo Nation, Dr. Chief learned strength and endurance from her parents and grandmother. The first person in her family to attend college, Dr. Chief is now the director of the Indigenous Resilience Center at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, and leads efforts that lift up Indigenous scholars and trains the next generation of researchers and leaders.
- Small Towns
El Sábado de Pequeños Negocios, un día dedicado a apoyar a los negocios que mantienen nuestras comunidades vibrantes y únicas. Nos invita a “comprar local” y generar un impacto cerca de casa apoyando a las tiendas, los servicios y los fabricantes de nuestros propios vecindarios.
- Lending
- Small Towns
As November begins, let’s not overlook Small Business Saturday—a day dedicated to supporting the businesses that keep our communities vibrant and unique. It invites us to “shop small” and make an impact close to home by supporting the shops, services, and makers in our own backyards.
- Lending
- Small Towns
Sandro Lopes describes his farm, Huerto Regenerativo NaTerra, as a place where nature and agriculture work in harmony. Located in David City, Nebraska, the operation is rooted in Indigenous practices...
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is now accepting applications for the Rural Workforce Housing Fund. This vital program supports the development of affordable housing in rural...
- Small Towns
For many years, the Center for Rural Affairs has worked alongside active service members and military veterans. Whether coming back to their agricultural roots or starting out as beginning farmers...
- Farm and Food
Transparency is essential to effective policy making and is the cornerstone of earning stakeholder trust. When people understand the reasoning behind a policy, they are much more likely to accept the...
- Small Towns
- Policy
Access to renewable energy promotes rural resiliency, enables economic development opportunities, and can lead to lower energy costs. With a recent award funded through the federal Inflation Reduction...
- Small Towns
- Policy
When Daryl Obermeyer first cross-fenced his pasture for rotational grazing in 1975, he noticed a significant shift. Not only could his cattle graze later into the year, but they were fatter with...
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Schuyler, Nebraska, has hosted a farmers market for many years, but a change in location this season led to an uptick in attendance and a vast assortment of new vendors. Previously found outside of...
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
For small business owners, identifying a target market is helpful. Whether you’re selling handcrafted products, offering professional services, or running a local shop, knowing who your potential customers are—and how to reach them—can make all the difference in your business’s success. Here are some approaches to help you identify your target market.
- Lending
Para los propietarios de pequeñas empresas, identificar un mercado objetivo es útil. Ya sea que estés vendiendo productos artesanales, ofreciendo servicios profesionales o administrando una tienda local, saber quiénes son sus clientes potenciales y cómo llegar a ellos puede marcar la diferencia en el éxito de su empresa. Aquí hay algunos enfoques que le ayudarán a identificar mejor su mercado objetivo.
- Lending
From serving as a leader and educator in the local food system to working as an agronomist with farmers from the South, Northeast, and Midwest, Nancy Williams has shown true dedication to furthering...
- Small Towns
