Blog Posts & Stories

When Alexandra Henry moved to Nebraska from her home state of Colorado, she was disappointed in the quality of rental properties available...

A mechanic and used car dealer just bought their business building thanks to a loan from the Center for Rural Affairs. This business owner, a new immigrant, has worked for years out of the building he purchased, providing an essential service to his adopted community and earning an income for his family.

A recent bipartisan survey of 501 Nebraska voters, conducted by New Bridge Strategy, revealed that 97% of participants, both rural and urban, support voluntary conservation and the benefits it provides, specifically conserving working farms and ranches.

The Center for Rural Affairs recently shared program funding recommendations with members of Congress as part of the annual appropriations process. Federal legislators consider these recommendations as they allocate discretionary dollars to a variety of programs, including those that support rural communities.

Summer nights around a campfire under the stars, the taste of homemade pancakes in the morning, and the smell of pine trees along the trail while walking with new friends to the biggest zipline imaginable—the folks at Rabble Mill believe every young person deserves to experience these things, and more.

Farm to School continues to grow in Nebraska. In 2021, the state Legislature approved the Adopt the Farm-to-School Program Act to reserve state funding to make new and existing farm to school projects a priority for the Nebraska Department of Education. These new programs include assisting nutrition directors with local food procurement and enhancing the agriculture education of students.

El 20 de abril finalizó la segunda sesión de la Legislatura 107 del Estado de Nebraska. El Centro jugó un papel decisivo en la aprobación de tres proyectos de ley este año y ayudó a abogar por muchos temas que preocupan a las comunidades rurales.

On April 20, the second session of the 107th Legislature of the State of Nebraska came to a close. The Center was instrumental in passing three bills this year and helped advocate for many issues that rural communities care about.

Registration is open for the Empowerment for Latina Women in Business Conference, set for May 3 in South Sioux City.

Anna Zeleny knew she’d be stepping outside of her comfort zone when she traveled to Lincoln to testify before the Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee last year. But she put her nerves aside because it was important for lawmakers to hear her story.

Today, April 19, is the 100th calendar day of the legislative session. This date typically signals the session’s end is in sight, with legislators’ per diem expenses ending. There are still a number of ongoing debates at the capitol which will need to wrap up first.

Desde las calles de México hasta una tienda en Kearney, Nebraska, Verónica Piñón ha estado vendiendo productos latinos tradicionales toda su vida. Pasó su infancia ayudando en el negocio de sus padres como vendedores de comida. Ahora dirige Piñón Market en Kearney. Verónica abrió su tienda en junio de 2021, continuando con el legado de su familia con la ayuda del Center for Rural Affairs.

From the streets of Mexico to a storefront in Kearney, Nebraska, Veronica Piñon has been selling traditional Latino goods her whole life. She spent her childhood helping with her parents’ business as food vendors. Now, she runs Piñon Market in Kearney. Veronica opened her store in June 2021, carrying on her family’s legacy with help from the Center for Rural Affairs.

Muchos propietarios de pequeños negocios se preguntan cómo se relaciona la ciberseguridad con su negocio, o piensan que nunca podrían ser víctimas de los ciberdelincuentes.

With their approval of several key pieces of legislation, Nebraska lawmakers solidified the importance of small entrepreneurs, local meat processors, and family farms to our state’s economy and way of life.

Many small business owners wonder how cybersecurity pertains to their business, or think they could never fall victim to cybercriminals.

Reliable internet has become a necessity. “People living in rural areas aren’t using the internet to play video games. This is our life,” said Doug Riediger.

People have traversed the world to visit 365 acres of certified organic fields and pastures nestled in the valley of West Bow Creek in northeast Nebraska.

What’s the latest buzz about solar energy? It’s likely the thousands of honey bees that call solar fields home. Commonly referred to as “agrisolar beekeeping,” the practice of placing beehives on or near solar fields is a burgeoning industry.

Decker Gabriel-Woods was drawn to sustainable agriculture when supply chain issues related to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic alerted him to the problem of how people get food. The practice of farming, however, drew him to appreciate and cherish the earth.