What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
In recent past, the Great Plains has experienced extreme weather conditions. Most recently, we witnessed very high winds combined with dry conditions, resulting in dust clouds reminiscent of the 1930s.
- Farm and Food
The House Agriculture Committee has proposed and voted for a new version of the farm bill. Unfortunately, their proposed bill fails rural Nebraskans.
- Farm and Food
For nearly 20 years, Kim Preston has been part of the Center for Rural Affairs team. During that time, she has taken on different roles, and made each one her own. In 1999, Preston started her career...
- Lending
Becoming a business owner can be a challenging process, especially if the fate lies on the shoulders of new owners. Family members of Lane and Melanie Seifert opened ABC Blinds & Shades in Scottsbluff...
- Lending
A couple decades ago, a movement for tolerance wove itself across the nation. A few years ago, everything needed to be “politically correct.” In 2016, implicit bias moved to the top of political conversations.
- Small Towns
Small businesses are a key element of Nebraska's economy, supporting the jobs of nearly half of the workers in the state. Many resources are available to help wannabe small-business owners make their vision a reality.
- Lending
In 2013, Iowa launched the Water Quality Initiative, an action plan to meet the goals of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy to cut pollution and hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. The initiative urges farmers, landowners and city residents to voluntarily adopt conservation practices that fit their unique needs and landscapes.
- Farm and Food
- Policy
RhinoSaurusRex Knits is an online store that specializes in whimsical hats and scarves for children and playful grown ups. Some of the hats resemble dragons, unicorns, or owls, and all are created from original patterns.
- Lending
Are we biased? The short answer is yes – everyone is, like it or not. Our brains categorize people based on what we’ve learned from our family, community, television, social media, and other sources.
- Small Towns
I wanted to learn more about the practice of prescribed burn (sometimes referred to as controlled burn) as it relates to our work with women farmer and landowner learning circles. So, I caught up with...
- Policy
- Farm and Food
Josh Nelson, of Belmond, Iowa, has used cover crops for three years. In that time, he has witnessed better yields and water filtration on his land. He also learned a few lessons, which he shared at a recent field day hosted by Practical Farmers of Iowa.
- Farm and Food
The Center for Rural Affairs Board of Directors voted to back the Nebraska Medicaid expansion ballot campaign at their recent quarterly meeting. Insure The Good Life, a collection of local health care...
- Policy
The goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) focus on both point and nonpoint sources of pollution. Point sources likely come from industrial or sewage treatment plants, and nonpoint sources are dilute and come from water runoff.
- Policy
Three development projects in Kansas, Wisconsin, and Minnesota show how states manage revenues and tax assessments from transmission lines in different ways. Center for Rural Affairs policy associate...
- Policy
Food that feeds the world is grown in our nation’s small towns, where food insecurity is endured by millions of children, seniors, and hardworking, rural Americans. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps stave off hunger in one in six rural households.
- Small Towns
- Policy
The House Agriculture Committee released its first version of the farm bill on April 11. Unfortunately, the proposal included steep cuts to conservation, ignored the need for capping crop insurance...
- Farm and Food
- Lending
Native communities, such as Santee, Nebraska, the principal village of the Santee Sioux Reservation in Knox County, often lack access to the fresh fruits and vegetables necessary for healthy living...
- Small Towns
The released draft of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, commonly known as the farm bill, has several proposals of concern for rural America. The draft bill was released yesterday by the House...
- Farm and Food
- Lending
The House Agriculture Committee released their first draft of the farm bill today. We’ll share a statement about the content as soon as we can. Below are a few details on the process and a reminder of...
- Farm and Food
Memories of Colombian fruit and juice stands inspire the restaurant, FRUIT, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Husband and wife business partners, Diego Leon and Jenny Lopez, recreate vibrant and unique...
- Lending
