What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
A major wave of consolidation that kicked off in 2016 continues to move forward with the U.S. Department of Justice allowing chemical producer Bayer to acquire the U.S. based seed company Monsanto...
- Farm and Food
Veggies only have to travel about five blocks from field to students' plates at East Butler Public Schools in Brainard, Nebraska. Fox Run Farms, a family-run operation on the edge of Brainard...
- Small Towns
Earlier this week, your calls and emails helped stall LB 947, the governor's irresponsible tax bill. Thank you! But, efforts are underway to try to revive the bill and bring LB 947 back to the floor for debate.
- Small Towns
The top concern for small businesses in Kansas is marketing, according to a report released in January by the Center for Rural Affairs and Kansas Hispanic & Latino American Affairs Commission. “The...
- Lending
As they work to determine the best way to bring property-tax relief to Nebraskans, state lawmakers are debating a bill this week backed by Gov. Pete Ricketts.
- Farm and Food
- Small Towns
Advocates of sustainable agriculture are urging Congress to pass a farm bill that backs stronger farming conservation practices.
- Farm and Food
Early next week, the Nebraska Legislature is scheduled to take up debate on LB 947, the governor’s tax cut plan. LB 947 cuts taxes for corporations and offers delayed property tax relief in the form of an unfunded tax credit.
- Farm and Food
- Small Towns
Three Midwest farmers recently met with their legislators in Washington D.C., to discuss conservation and beginning farmer policy in the next farm bill. On March 7, farmers Mariel Barreras, Cameron...
- Farm and Food
Last week, Congress passed its spending bill for this year, which funds the federal government through Sept. 30, 2018. We were very glad to see that it provides support for rural America. First...
- Farm and Food
Rural places are close to my heart because I have seen the value of them firsthand. I am from Monticello, Iowa, which is a town of about 4,000 people, three stop lights, and one grocery store.
- Farm and Food
- Small Towns
Recently, small business owners alongside alumni of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, at Iowa State University, met at the Iowa capitol to advocate on the Leopold Center’s behalf.
- Farm and Food
Many issues surrounding conservation are decided at the time of farm bill renewal. Working lands conservation programs in the farm bill offer an important opportunity for farmers and ranchers to...
- Farm and Food
The most effective development strategy for rural communities is small entrepreneurship – locally-owned and operated small businesses. The first step in creating a small business is having a great...
- Lending
The Center for Rural Affairs stands for rural communities, and we, too, believe that an essential foundation for vital rural communities consists of a healthy economy and diverse farming models. Many...
- Farm and Food
LB 1084, Sen. Tom Briese’s combined property tax relief and school funding bill, is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Let me explain this bold statement.
- Small Towns
During the past two decades, Iowa’s wind energy industry has created 8,000 to 9,000 jobs, spurred billions of dollars in investment, and provided Iowa landowners with $20 to $25 million in annual land lease payments.
- Policy
Property taxes have more than doubled in the past decade. The price of cattle has not. This has created significant challenges for those of us in production agriculture.
- Small Towns
While Nebraska’s economy remains reliant upon agriculture, the broader economy, following national trends, has moved away from a dependence on manufacturing and goods to knowledge and service. Nebraska’s tax code does not reflect that decades long trend.
- Small Towns
Unlimited crop insurance premium subsidies are a loophole that allow the largest farmers to reap the greatest benefits from government subsidy. That is why we support capping crop insurance premium...
- Farm and Food
A veteran’s sense of service and work ethic draws a distinct parallel to the skills and dedication required for successful farming and ranching.
- Farm and Food
