News Releases

We are committed to keeping the issues facing rural America in the news media. Here you'll find news on the work we do on public policy, farming and ranching, small businesses, and rural communities.

Seeking to address market disruptions created by the coronavirus pandemic, a stimulus package approved Monday by Congress included funds to directly support small-scale meat processors to help them expand and distribute meat across state lines, a decision applauded by Johnathan Hladik, policy director for the Center for Rural Affairs.
  • Farm and Food
NORFOLK, NEBRASKA – Norfolk area entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in the food industry are invited to attend a free, virtual panel discussion sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs....
  • Lending
LYONS, NEBRASKA – 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...
  • Lending
Bipartisan efforts to support local businesses and livestock producers continued in Congress, with the introduction of the Strengthening Local Processing Act by U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today. The legislation, which was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) in September, seeks to address market disruptions created by the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Farm and Food
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Nebraska se enfrenta a una crisis y algunos de nuestros trabajadores más esenciales corren el mayor riesgo, de acuerdo con "Apoyando a los trabajadores esenciales, el crecimiento y...
  • Farm and Food
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Nebraska is facing a crisis, and some of our most essential workers have the greatest risk, according to “Supporting Essential Workers, Growth, and Change During COVID-19,” a white...
  • Farm and Food
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Nebraska entrepreneurs and small business managers are invited to attend free, virtual workshops sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs. Workshops offered in January include...
  • Lending
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Today, Thursday, Dec. 10, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack was nominated to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kayla Bergman, policy associate at the Center for...
  • Farm and Food
An upcoming virtual meeting hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs will explore the growth of solar energy in Nebraska. The meeting, which is set for 6:30 p.m. CST, Dec. 17, will feature Martin Kleinschmit, owner of MarLin Wind and Solar; Cliff Mesner, owner of Mesner Development; and Brian Newton, city administrator of Fremont.
  • Policy
With states across the Midwest continuing to embrace the economic potential of renewable wind energy, project developers and landowners also have the ability to work together to explore opportunities for investments in conservation, according to a new report released today by the Center for Rural Affairs.
  • Policy
Farmers and ranchers looking to implement conservation practices on their operations have until December to apply for assistance through the 2021 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
  • Farm and Food
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Nebraska entrepreneurs and small business managers are invited to attend free, virtual workshops sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs. Workshops offered in December include:...
  • Lending
NEVADA, IOWA – More than 600,000 miles of electric transmission lines across the U.S. could provide an opportunity for investments in wildlife and pollinator habitat, according to a new report from...
  • Policy
LYONS, NEBRASKA – With COVID-19 cases on the rise, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Thursday the state will submit an application to reinstate the federal maximum benefit for Supplemental...
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Kansas farmers and ranchers looking to implement conservation practices on their operations have until Nov. 30 to apply for assistance through the 2021 Environmental Quality...
  • Farm and Food
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Nebraska entrepreneurs and small business managers are invited to attend free, virtual workshops sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs. Workshops offered in November include:...
  • Lending
LEXINGTON, NEBRASKA – The Latino population in several Nebraska communities now has access to an additional news source. “Noticias De Mi Pueblo” or “My Town’s News” has expanded its focus to Hastings...
  • Small Towns
LEXINGTON, NEBRASKA – La población latina en varias comunidades de Nebraska ahora tiene acceso a una fuente de noticias adicional. "Noticias De Mi Pueblo" o "My Town's News" ha ampliado su enfoque a...
  • Small Towns
NEVADA, IOWA - Populations of all pollinators, including honey bees, native bees, and monarch butterflies, could more than triple on solar project sites with investments in native vegetation...
  • Policy
LYONS, NEBRASKA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to accept applications for the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2). This program will offer payments to farmers and...
  • Farm and Food