Blog Posts & Stories

Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers expand their businesses through value-added products and services. Free Day Popcorn, operated by Nate and Stacey Freitag, was once such business to receive a VAPG award in 2021.

“Let my hands be in touch with the black soil, feeling the life within. Allow my ears to hear the singing of the birds, the choir of the sky."

On March 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced the availability of $19.75 million in total funding for projects as part of the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program.

When Aliza Brunsing walked into the West Point Chamber of Commerce office with a hope and dream to start a local farmers market, she had no idea—nor intention—of being recognized for her efforts down the line.

The legislative session is drawing to a close. Yesterday, Monday, March 7, was Legislative Day 34 of South Dakota’s 38 day session, the last day for a bill or joint resolution to pass both houses...

We’re in the ninth week of the Iowa Legislature’s 2022 session. Since our last update, the first funnel deadline has passed, trimming the list of legislation eligible to continue in the process. Currently, lawmakers are focused on debating bills.

Today, Tuesday, March 8, is the start of all-day floor debate and with just 22 days left to finish general and select file debate senators have a lot to discuss. Around 90 priority bills are out of committee and it is unclear if all of them will get time on the floor this year.

Throughout the nearly 50-year history of the Center, the emergence of federal policy supporting soil and water conservation, local and regional food systems, beginning farmers, and value-added agriculture is one of the most significant areas of policy wins.

Early in my farming career, I began paying attention to different farm organizations and their respective values. I determined early on that the Center for Rural Affairs’ ideas about the future of farms and rural communities made sense to me.

Esta primavera, aquellos que están considerando comenzar un negocio de camiones o aquellos que tienen un negocio de camiones y necesitan más orientación están invitados a la academia de camiones (Trucking Academy).

This spring, those considering starting a trucking business or those who have a trucking business and need more guidance are invited to Trucking Academy.

Nearly every Nebraskan is now served by an electric utility committed to supplying clean, sustainable energy. In December, the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) board of directors voted 9-2 to...

What do we think of when we say cooperative? Is it the farmers’ co-op down the road, combining grains to sell? Is it a nearby co-op grocer with customer members? Is it a large company, maybe Land O’Lakes or Ocean Spray?

Rural communities often face challenges in accessing fresh, healthy, and affordable foods. Reducing food deserts, connecting farmers to consumers, and building local supply chains provides resilience our rural communities need to protect their future.

Owners of microbusinesses, sole proprietors, and farmers spend many hours developing plans and attending training sessions to educate themselves on operating a business and what to do in the face of adversity.

Aquí hay una guía para construir el negocio de tus sueños. Este es un buen punto de partida. En Nebraska, el personal del Center for Rural Affairs puede llevarlo aún más lejos. Llámenos al 402.687.2100 o envíe un correo electrónico a loans@cfra.org.

Want to start the business of your dreams and don’t know where to begin? Take a look at these steps, then let the Center for Rural Affairs staff guide you through this process. Give us a call at 402.687.2100 or email loans@cfra.org.

Tomorrow will be Day 30 of the Nebraska legislative session, which marks the halfway point. Committee hearings will continue in the afternoon until March 3. Starting on March 8 the Legislature will move to all-day debate with late-evening business expected to start sometime in mid-March.

The Iowa Legislature's 2022 session is now in its seventh week. Lawmakers have been busy with quick-moving committee and subcommittee work ahead of the first funnel deadline. If a bill did not pass out of its committee in the chamber it originated in by last Friday, it is effectively dead, with some exceptions, such as tax and spending bills.

Today is Day 26 of South Dakota’s 38-day legislative session. The Center continues to monitor bills that impact the rural quality of life. We recently offered supportive testimony on bills related to...