Niobrara Nebraska from nearby hill

Blog Posts & Stories

What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.

Networking and connecting with other farmers not only gave Kelsey support, it led her to discover conservation practices and the potential benefits of implementing them on her plot of land.
  • Farm and Food
In recent months, encouraging changes have been made to two crop insurance programs, Whole Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm. The improvements will increase accessibility to risk management for thousands of producers nationwide.
  • Farm and Food
Corn is key to connecting Oneida Nation families to their ancestors. Fifteen families have come together to form the Ohe∙láku Cooperative, in Wisconsin, in an effort and desire to become more self-sufficient. As they’ve grown their cooperative, the members have learned a lot.
  • Farm and Food
  • Small Towns
Given this year’s spike in corn and soybean prices, commodity crop producers may be tempted to break ground on land not previously used for cash crop production. Before doing so, however, producers need to make sure they are following conservation compliance regulations to ensure important federal benefits are not at risk.
  • Policy
  • Farm and Food
Last night, I made lamb burgers, seasoned with garlic and topped with tomatoes from my garden. In my basement, across from canned peaches, I have a freezer filled with a whole lamb and part of a grass...
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
En el mes de la Mujer Empresaria, honramos los logros históricos de las empresas propiedad de las mujeres en la actualidad y ofrecemos servicios y recursos para seguir logrando sus metas.
  • Lending
During Women's Business Month, we honor the milestones women-owned businesses have accomplished throughout the years. We continue to assist women through resources and training.
  • Lending
Drive around Iowa these days, and you're likely to see more evidence of solar power. Policy analysts say it gives the state's clean energy portfolio more strength. But along with the benefits comes a need for long-term planning.
  • Policy
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.
  • Small Towns
Habiendo llamado hogar a las áreas rurales durante la mayor parte de su vida, Leonor ha descubierto que las relaciones y conexiones que ha construido han sido fundamentales en su crecimiento personal y profesional.
  • Small Towns
Having called rural areas home for most of her life, Leonor has found that the relationships and connections she’s built have been instrumental in her personal and professional growth.
  • Small Towns
This winter, military veterans will have an opportunity to translate hard-won skills on the battlefield into Nebraska's fields and pastures through "Putting the Pieces Together," a U.S. Department of Agriculture-backed program.
  • Farm and Food
Ask any beginning farmer or rancher about the greatest challenge to starting an operation, and the most common answer is access to land and operational assets. A program aimed at helping new producers...
  • Farm and Food
With a background in television journalism and a future in digital marketing, Carmen Montes is looking to use her skills to shine a light on the rural communities of Nebraska.
  • Small Towns
When Gris Grimly and his wife Lynnette moved from California to raise their kids in the slower-paced peace and quiet of Gris’ hometown of West Point, Nebraska, they noticed something missing in their new rural community: the arts.
  • Small Towns
Residential solar energy is booming. The Omaha Public Power District saw a 900% increase in applications for connecting residential and commercial solar systems over the past year. The dramatic...
  • Policy
​​​​​​​Congestion and access to the electric grid are keeping rural Minnesota from reaching its full potential in producing clean energy.
  • Policy
Food insecurity and access to fresh foods, such as unprocessed meat and produce, are real concerns for rural Nebraska. As we experience the increasing cost of living and continued closure of small town grocery stores an emphasis needs to be placed on supporting local food businesses over national chains.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
Con las esperanzas de proveer un ambiente familiar y seguro con un currículo bilingüe, tres mujeres abren una guardería en South Sioux City.
  • Lending
With hopes of providing a safe home-like environment and bilingual curriculum, three women open a bilingual day care in South Sioux City.
  • Lending