Niobrara Nebraska from nearby hill

Blog Posts & Stories

What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.

South Dakota is fifth in the U.S. for wind energy potential. That’s enough potential to allow residents to meet their energy needs 300 times over. In fact, the state has already started down the path to realizing this possibility by producing more than 26 percent of its energy from wind.
  • Policy
Sandra Barrera, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was chosen as the first ever Center for Rural Affairs’ 2016 Latino Partner of the Year. She was recognized at an award ceremony on March 10 in York, Nebraska...
  • Lending
We investigated statewide usages and participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program – Transition Incentive Program (CRP-TIP) in South Dakota, North Dakota...
  • Farm and Food
Farmers and ranchers, have you heard of Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP)?
  • Farm and Food
A recent report from the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting revealed that foreign holdings of U.S. farmland doubled between 2004 and 2014. Foreign investors now control 27.3 million acres of farmland.
  • Farm and Food
Doris Lux, of Columbus, Nebraska, was chosen as the recipient of the Center for Rural Affairs 2016 Extra Mile Award. She was recognized at an award ceremony on March 10 in York, Nebraska. The Extra...
  • Lending
When I think of farmers, veteran farmers in particular, I think of hard working and innovative men and women. I see their work in rows of fields covering the rural landscape, in rolling green pastures dotted with livestock, and on shelves in grocery stores.
  • Farm and Food
The Senate’s current draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act, the plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act, strikes directly at the vulnerabilities of health care in rural America.
  • Policy
Six years ago, I was finishing my freshman year of college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I was studying political science, specifically international relations, and was doing well in school, but I found myself yearning for something more.
  • Farm and Food
With farmers market season upon us, we’re all excited to dive into the tasty local harvest. But how can we get the most out of this delicious produce? Proper preparation!
  • Farm and Food
  • Small Towns
Glennis McClure, of Beatrice, Nebraska, was chosen as the Center for Rural Affairs 2016 Friend of the Year. She was recognized at an award ceremony on March 10 in York, Nebraska. The Friend of the...
  • Lending
Farmers are master jugglers: They manage crops, maintain equipment, and market products, often while balancing a second job and family demands.
  • Farm and Food
Linda Horner, of Ord, Nebraska, has been chosen as the Center for Rural Affairs’ 2016 Women’s Business Center Entrepreneur of the Year. She was recognized at an award ceremony on March 10 in York...
  • Lending
Military veterans in Nebraska who are new to farming, or just interested in finding out about it, have an opportunity this week to see how others have turned their military skills into a career in agriculture.
  • Farm and Food
For hundreds of years, immigration has shaped U.S. history. And, it continues to shape America, especially in rural areas. The Center’s immigration and inclusion work was recently featured on Totally...
  • Small Towns
Farmers and ranchers have waited years for USDA to institute basic fairness protections in the contract poultry and livestock industry. USDA seemed to be making progress last year, when it began...
  • Farm and Food
A federal program created by the 2008 Farm Bill is a win-win for retired and retiring landowners, and beginning, socially-disadvantaged, and veteran farmers and ranchers. Center for Rural Affairs...
  • Farm and Food
Yesterday, we were among 578 organizations, businesses, and local governments that signed a letter opposing the elimination of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area and...
  • Small Towns
Ana Gonzalez, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was named the Center for Rural Affairs’ 2016 Latino Entrepreneur of the Year award. She was recognized at an award dinner on March 10 in York, Nebraska. The...
  • Lending
Eminent domain is a controversial topic where transmission lines are concerned. Landowners worry that developers will swoop in to condemn their land or bully them into negotiating an easement. In Iowa, the following process can help avoid these scenarios.
  • Policy