Blog Posts & Stories

If you are a farmer or rancher, there has never been a better time to apply for popular conservation programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Iowa and South Dakota, the deadline to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Nov. 3. The deadline in Nebraska is Nov. 17.

Kjersten Hyberger grew up admiring nature, living next to a fourth-generation Nebraska farm surrounded by corn and soybean fields was an experience that shaped Kjersten’s perspective on how she viewed rural America.

Mientras Minnesota trabaja para lograr una electricidad 100% libre de carbono para el año 2040, una organización sin fines de lucro del sureste de Minnesota está aprovechando las iniciativas amplias de financiación de energía limpia para apoyar su misión.

As Minnesota works toward 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, one southeastern Minnesota nonprofit organization is taking advantage of expanded clean energy funding initiatives to support its mission.

Durante años, René Márquez soñó con tener su propio gimnasio. Entonces, cuando el menos lo esperaba, la oportunidad de comprar un espacio se le presentó la opción perfecta. Pudieron tomar posesión de Warehouse Fitness & Training Center en noviembre de 2022, gracias a la ayuda de un préstamo por parte del Programa de Asistencia a Microempresarios Rurales del Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU.

For years, Rene Marquez dreamed of owning his own gym. Then, when he was least expecting it, the opportunity to buy a space presented itself as the perfect option. They were able to take ownership of Warehouse Fitness & Training Center in November 2022, thanks to the help of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program loan.

Joe Benson got involved in food sovereignty after he started farming on his own, sparking his interest in conservation. His hope is to move the land toward healing by bringing it back to its natural state.

Many Nebraska households still lack broadband service, and a number of them qualify for monthly assistance with their bill. More than $14 billion has been allocated through the Affordable Connectivity Program, part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

Cuando eres propietario de un pequeño negocio, no faltan tareas con las que hacer malabares. Pero hay un aspecto crucial que a menudo se pasa por alto en el ajetreo y el bullicio del espíritu empresarial: los seguros. Conozca la importancia del seguro para propietarios de pequeñas empresas.

There is no shortage of tasks to juggle when you’re a small business owner. But there's one crucial aspect that often gets overlooked in the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship: insurance. Learn of the importance of insurance for small business owners.

Over the past decade, the farm to school movement has reached millions of students in the United States and its territories. From school gardens and farm field trips to local food on cafeteria trays...

Ashley Sperling found herself drawn to the comfort of small towns and gravel roads, rural America has always been home even after she moved away for college. With her children growing up, Ashley decided she wanted to find her way back into the world of finance, she got that opportunity when she joined the Center as an accounting associate.

In southeast Iowa, Ryan Vogel and his family are laying a foundation on their farm for the years to come. Ryan always knew he wanted to come back to his family’s farm near Sigourney. After earning a...

Montana Thatcher siempre ha amado a los niños. Desde que tenía edad suficiente para cuidarlos, sabía que quería tener su propia guardería. La oportunidad de comprar la guardería llego en el otoño de 2022 y Montana lo aceptó.

Montana Thatcher has always loved children. Since she was old enough to look after them, she knew she wanted to run her own day care. The opportunity came up in fall 2022, and Montana took it.

Infrastructure is often the first hurdle to high-speed internet access for rural Americans, but it isn’t the last. Once the wires have been laid, residents still have to pay to use the service...

Miranda Roberts works within the Santee community to plan activities to help increase the number of gardens and locally formed small businesses.

With continued state, federal, and private investments, access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet service is increasing across South Dakota. Recently, Gov. Kristi Noem and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development announced the distribution of up to $27 million as part of the final round of grant funding through ConnectSD, the state’s broadband deployment program.

Rural America is in Jane Yule’s blood. For decades, her family has settled in small towns around Nebraska, and there’s no place she’d rather live. Her love of rural America and continued interest in the Center’s work led Jane to take an active role in the organization.

When James Keeley started farming, all he knew was what he learned gardening in the backyard with his mom. But his limited knowledge didn’t stop him from making agriculture his main focus in life.