Blog Posts & Stories

We’re in the seventh week of the 2023 Iowa legislative session. The first funnel deadline is quickly approaching on March 3. To remain viable, bills must pass through committees in their own chambers by this date (with some exceptions).

Carbon pipelines are a contentious issue in the Midwest’s western region, where several pipeline routes are being proposed. A pivotal point in that discussion centers on which level of government—federal, state, or local—has jurisdiction over certain developmental regulations.

The use of telehealth services has improved health care access in rural communities across Nebraska. Residents having limited or no access to a clinic or hospital have used the technology to get treatment for issues not requiring immediate medical attention, meet with their provider between visits, and consult with a specialist not otherwise available in their area.

Renewable energy has been powering South Dakota for more than a century. Hydroelectric generation was introduced to the state in 1912 and has been vital in the state’s energy landscape since, powering three of the state’s four largest power plants by capacity.

De niño en El Salvador, Wilmer Linares vio a su familia hornear pan y aprendió las recetas y los métodos que se habían utilizado durante generaciones. Estas habilidades, heredadas de su querida abuela y madre trabajadora, son las que Wilmer ahora usa para mantener a su familia.

As a child in El Salvador, Wilmer Linares watched his family bake bread and learned the recipes and methods that had been used for generations. Passed down from his beloved grandmother and hardworking mother, those skills are what Wilmer now uses to provide for his family.

A bill in the Nebraska Legislature would give small communities some help in applying for and administering federal grant money.

Carbon pipelines have been a contentious issue in rural communities in recent years, and some state legislators have taken action. In Iowa and South Dakota, several bills addressing major issues around the pipelines have been introduced. In Minnesota, current activity is predominantly being addressed by the Public Utilities Commission.

For farmers across the country, the first months of a new year mean thinking about planting their next crop. For many, it also means thinking ahead to the deadline to sign up for federal crop insurance.

The growing popularity of food trucks has led states across the country to modernize laws governing the industry.

We’re about a month into the 2023 Iowa legislative session. Lawmakers have continued to stay busy with bill introductions, committee and subcommittee meetings, and debates.

Nebraska state senators were busy with all-day committee hearings last week and will continue that schedule this week. Two of the bills the Center for Rural Affairs is monitoring—Legislative Bills (LB) 321 and 515—had hearings last week.

Today is Day 19 of South Dakota’s 38-day legislative session, which will conclude March 27. The last day for bill introduction was Feb. 2. Bills must pass out of their house of origin by Feb. 22, which is known as Crossover Day.

Producers are facing a dire need to increase production in the current market. More are also looking for ways to engage in conservation. Relay cropping may provide the solution for both of these issues.

​​​​​​​If you live in Minnesota, you’ve likely seen that the bill to speed up the transition to carbon-free electricity is a Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) party priority and is rapidly moving through the Legislature. House File 7/Senate File 4, better known as the 100% clean energy bill, would accelerate the transition to 100% carbon-free emissions electricity by 10 years to 2040.

A desire to help feed the hungry and care for the planet led Peter David to explore the world of agriculture. Implementing conservation practices helps him work toward those goals. Before emigrating...

If you now of a farmer or rancher who has served our country in the military, now is the time to nominate them for an award a the 56th Annual Triumph of Ag Expo in Omaha.

Al establecer metas para su negocio, ¿ha pensado en el acceso al capital y al crédito? ¿Ha luchado año tras año preparándose para su cita de impuestos? Pensar en esta información ahora lo ayudará a prepararse tanto para la próxima temporada de impuestos como para las posibles oportunidades de préstamo que su empresa pueda necesitar.

As you set goals for your business, have you thought about access to capital and credit? Have you struggled year after year preparing for your tax appointment? Thinking about these items now will help you prepare for both the upcoming tax season and potential borrowing opportunities your business may need.

An inquisitive mind is the first step to learning something new. For Katie Bettin, that curiosity has guided her throughout her pursuit of urban farming. With the knowledge she’s acquired, she hopes...