News Releases

Spanish-speaking community members interested in starting or improving their child care businesses are invited to attend a free conference presented in Spanish.

Los miembros de la comunidad de habla hispana interesados en iniciar o mejorar su negocio de cuidado infantil están invitados a asistir a una conferencia gratuita presentada en español.

The Center for Rural Affairs has announced recognition of outstanding people and entities in two states. “Each year, we honor the rural champions who help us accomplish so much for rural America,” said Brian Depew, executive director. “This group of award winners have gone above and beyond to lay the foundation for a better rural future.”

The Center for Rural Affairs welcomes this morning’s news from Gov. Jim Pillen that Nebraska will participate in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program.

Applications are now being accepted for the Center for Rural Affairs’ Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellowship program. Beginning farmers who want to deepen their conservation knowledge are invited to apply. Fellows will complete coursework in conservation programs and practices, climate change adaptation and impacts, racial equity, and leadership.

Jessi Chandler Mason said she and her husband Andrew “took a leap of faith” when they purchased the small grocery store in her hometown of Anselmo two years ago.

While the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act offers an unprecedented amount of funding to rural communities for infrastructure, energy, and conservation projects, applying for the grants can be challenging.

The Center for Rural Affairs is among more than 30 partners working together to increase business development assistance to small, mid-size, and diverse food and farm entrepreneurs in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas.

The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking participants for its new Conservation Mentorship Network, a program designed to foster peer-to-peer education among farmers and ranchers and increase the number of conservation practices adopted across Nebraska.

A bill introduced this week in the Iowa Senate seeks to provide resources to small grocery store owners fighting to keep their stores open amidst economic and workforce challenges and competition from big box retailers.

Legislation introduced Jan. 10 in the Nebraska Legislature seeks to provide resources to small grocery store owners fighting to keep their stores open amidst economic and workforce challenges and competition from big box retailers.

The Center for Rural Affairs applauds the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s (NDA) continued efforts to support the state’s small- and medium-sized meat processors with its announcement of a second round of grant funding through the Independent Processor Assistance Program.

Two additional gatherings for southwest Iowa food producers and others interested in local foods have been scheduled for January. The free networking and socializing events are hosted by Golden Hills RC&D and the Center for Rural Affairs.

Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of on-farm and virtual workshops highlighting farm stores, onsite and off. This course is free for active military service members and military veterans.

Southwest Iowans interested in increasing access to local foods in their towns are invited to a half-day workshop on local food resources, leadership, and community engagement. This free event is hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and Golden Hills RC&D.

Nebraska producers interested in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) or Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) have a unique opportunity to apply through a new process called ACT NOW.

This year, Iowa farmers planted cover crops on thousands of acres to improve soil health, protect their land from erosion, and more. Many of these producers are now eligible for a $5 per acre discount on their crop insurance. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 26.

As rural hospitals in Nebraska continue to face financial challenges, a new licensure designation could help keep the doors open at facilities on the brink of closing, according to a new white paper released today by the Center for Rural Affairs.

Southwest Iowa food producers and others interested in local foods are invited to attend networking and socializing events in December and January. These free sessions are hosted by Golden Hills RC&D and the Center for Rural Affairs.

AVOCA, IOWA – Southwest Iowans eager to explore local foods are invited to attend a one-day summit including educational sessions from regional speakers, featured businesses along Avoca’s Main Street...