Blog Posts & Stories

During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we are often reminded to shop small as a way to support our small businesses. This year that message takes on a more important meaning as local entrepreneurs continue to face challenges stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Small businesses, especially those in rural areas, are hurting and we need to make sure they are strong enough to make it through the pandemic and beyond.

We are nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and cases in rural America are increasing at a rapid rate. The impacts vary greatly across rural states, yet per-capita infections are most extreme in communities occupied by meatpacking plants, predominantly in the Midwest, low-income African American communities in the Southeast, and Native Americans.

For almost 50 years, the Center for Rural Affairs has been a leading force in standing up for the family farmer and rancher, small business owner, and rural communities. We look forward to working...

With the help of resources available through agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Seth Watkins has learned good things can happen when one starts to reduce their carbon...

South Dakota is powered by renewables. In 2019, nearly 70 percent of all electricity generated in the state came from renewable sources. In contrast, renewable energy makes up only 16 percent of the...

Cover crops are a conservation practice used by many Iowa farmers, with benefits ranging from improving soil health to protecting water quality.

Whether with co-workers or the community members she serves, Erin Schoenberg is at her best when she’s connecting with others. Since fall 2019, Erin has worked with the Center for Rural Affairs as a...

Through Dec. 15, an anonymous donor will match all gifts, up to $12,000. That means your impact will be doubled, for example, your $50 gift automatically becomes $100. The money raised will assist...

Small businesses are counting on support from local shoppers this holiday season to stay in business and are following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to keep customers and staff safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

In spring 2020, we heard terrible stories of overburdened hospitals leading to preventable deaths in Italy. Soon after, these stories started to hit closer to home—New York City.

​​​​​​​Many of us have heard about Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and communities across the country, which falls on Nov. 28 this year.

Iowa hasn't seen as much economic pain as some other states during the pandemic, but many residents and small businesses are still struggling.

​​​​​​​The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many events to be cancelled this year, but it does not take away the opportunity to shop local during the holiday season. Communities across the country have found innovative ways to keep both business owners and customers safe.

We all need levity during this time. So, when the folks at Jollyville Radio, a weekly sketch comedy podcast, contacted us, we jumped at the opportunity. Each week they feature an organization "that is...

Affordable housing plays an instrumental role in rural community vibrancy and local economic development. Homeownership increases family and community stability, supports local businesses, and boosts...

​​​​​​​Iowa’s newly-elected Legislature is set to be sworn in for the 2021 session in January. While there will be some new faces in Des Moines, one thing is certain—Iowa’s water quality remains a key challenge.

Who deserves farm payments? The Center for Rural Affairs has long maintained that farm payments should be reserved for family farms facing difficult times, but the government and taxpayers should not...

At a time when public health is front-and-center in the dialogue about COVID-19, the need for an investment of $1.37 billion in Iowa’s natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities could not be more clear.

Rural businesses and communities have been waiting for Congress to pass a second stimulus package for months. With Election Day behind us, Congress should not delay in passing another stimulus bill. Two bipartisan proposed bills should be included, because they offer common-sense solutions to help rural economies weather the pandemic.

With a crazy 2020 almost on the books, let’s take a look at the opportunities your business has had available and what you need to do to cross the finish line on Dec. 31.