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The Unicameral convened its long, 90-day, session on Jan. 4, and is scheduled to adjourn June 10. This week, bills began to be introduced and committee chairpersons named.
- Farm and Food
Welcome to the Pierre Review! Jan. 12 was the first day of the 2021 South Dakota legislative session. The Center for Rural Affairs will be monitoring policies that affect the rural quality of life and...
- Small Towns
- Policy
On Monday, Jan. 11, the Iowa Legislature gaveled in for the 2021 legislative session. As we have done for years, we remain committed to providing you with objective, fact-based updates on the legislation that will impact the lives of rural Iowans.
- Small Towns
- Policy
Beginning and established farmers alike have long sought out assistance from the Center for Rural Affairs. With a variety of programs directed at starting and maintaining small family farms, the...
- Farm and Food
In 2019, an enormous influx of painted lady butterflies found their way to northeast Nebraska. They covered roadways, fields, and gardens. Driving through a kaleidoscope of painted ladies, sometimes...
- Farm and Food
Many of us have seen the front page headlines detailing data breaches of huge corporations such as Twitter or Uber resulting in millions of dollars in settlements or fines. These examples of cyber attacks can make it seem like only large companies should be concerned with protecting themselves from hackers.
- Lending
President-elect Joe Biden ran on a platform that promised to “Build Back Better” while also pledging to take the steps needed to address the harsh realities of a changing climate. For rural Americans, the level of investment required to secure the goals promised by the president-elect and his new team is long overdue.
- Policy
On Oct. 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a final rule for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). This rule follows an interim rule published on Nov. 12, 2019, for which the USDA sought public comment.
- Farm and Food
We are deep in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this point, keeping track of the challenges we’ve faced is difficult. Everyone knows someone who has been ill with COVID-19. Too many know...
- Farm and Food
Elected representatives in Nebraska will debate a host of issues during the 2021 legislative session, including budget and tax, economic development, energy and environment, family and economic security, and food and agriculture.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
Our priority issues in Iowa include renewable energy and water quality.
- Policy
It's official! The first day of 2021 is here (finally). What better way to kick it off than with a look at our most viewed post in 2020, authored by Anna Johnson in April. This piece takes a look at...
- Farm and Food
In our second highest viewed post of 2020, we feature details on a new program for producers that opened up as part of COVID-19 relief. A second round opened up later in the summer, and a third round...
- Farm and Food
Today, we share number three in our top five posts countdown, the first of our top blogs on the COVID-19 pandemic which has shaped 2020. This particular piece outlines food access, grocery stores, and...
- Small Towns
The year in review countdown continues with a blog featuring two entrepreneurs who have worked to open a storefront business with the help of our loan specialists. Coming in at number four is a blog...
- Lending
Countdown time! With less than one week remaining in 2020, a recap is in order. While this year was more than ordinary, we are keeping at least one end-of-year tradition alive. Starting today through...
- Small Towns
As they continue to face challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, rural small businesses and communities with loans through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program find themselves on the outside once again.
- Lending
- Small Towns
Nebraskans are fortunate to have ample access to natural resources. These resources have long supported agriculture in our state, and fairly recently have allowed for the expansion of our renewable energy industry.
- Policy
Since its founding by the Center for Rural Affairs in 2017, the Nebraska Food Council has worked toward its mission to strengthen Nebraska’s economy and environment while fostering food security for all Nebraskans through broad collaboration.
- Small Towns
With the dust settling from the 2020 election, questions about how the results will impact farm policy and the next farm bill have surfaced. One of the biggest changes is that formal leadership on...
- Farm and Food
