News Releases

In 1973, a group of rural Nebraskans came together with a passion. They knew if they wanted federal policy to work for rural Americans, they had to raise their voice. Today, the Center for Rural...

In 1973, a group of rural Nebraskans came together with a shared passion. Concerned about the loss of economic opportunity in agriculture and the decline of rural communities, they founded the Center for Rural Affairs.

Nebraska farmers and ranchers interested in popular conservation programs have until Nov. 17 to submit their initial paperwork. The Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program provide financial and technical assistance to producers who are interested in implementing conservation practices while maintaining agricultural production.

The deadline for South Dakota farmers and ranchers to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Nov. 3. The...

Members of Congress continue to show bipartisan support for rural small businesses as they prepare to debate the nation’s next farm bill. Last week, U.S. Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act of 2023. The legislation extends and enhances the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.

Agricultural producers interested in implementing conservation practices are encouraged to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). In Iowa, the deadline to submit initial paperwork is Nov. 3.

Food leaders and community members in the Shenandoah area who are curious about the sustainability of local foods are invited to join a listening session hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and Golden Hills RC&D.

The Center for Rural Affairs applauds U.S. Reps. Zach Nunn (IA-3) and Angie Craig (MN-2), who on Friday introduced the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act of 2023. The legislation proposes changes to the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) and would expand opportunities for rural small businesses for years to come.

Solar energy is a rapidly emerging industry in Nebraska and the opportunity for the growth of large-scale solar developments is forecasted to increase considerably in the coming years.

After forming the Boone River Watershed Management Authority (WMA) in 2019 and developing a plan to guide their work, local leaders are ready to take the next step to improve their shared watershed.

Una nueva capacitación para ayudar a los productores a explorar la transición y la economía de la producción orgánica certificada está programada para el 18 y 19 de agosto en Aurora, organizada por el Center for Rural Affairs, la Sociedad de Agricultura Sostenible de Nebraska y el Centro Nacional de Tecnología Apropiada.

A new training to help producers explore the transition and economics of certified organic production is set for Aug. 18-19, in Aurora, hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, and the National Center for Appropriate Technology.

With only 10% of the state’s private school students living in rural Nebraska—accounting for about 3% of all rural students statewide—public support for private schools has been a concern among many rural residents since passage of the Opportunity Scholarships Act (OSA) earlier this year.

Ya está abierta la inscripción para el tercer evento anual de Conferencia Empresarial de Mujeres Latinas: Haciendo Historia, organizada por el Center for Rural Affairs y la Administración de Pequeñas Empresas. El evento solo es en español.

Registration is now open for the third annual Latina Women in Business Conference: Haciendo Historia (Making History), hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and Small Business Administration. The event is in Spanish only.

Over the last 20 years, the windy fields of Iowa have allowed a new kind of opportunity to grow. In 2021, the state boasted the second-largest wind production in the nation and annually generates approximately $57 million in tax revenues for state and local taxing bodies and $67 million in lease payments to landowners.

On Wednesday, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee passed its agriculture appropriations bill for 2024. The $17.8 billion spending package, which proposes annual funding levels for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), follows the March release of the Biden administration’s budget for the same year.

As demand for clean energy increases, many state and local governments are prudently discussing the impact future solar development will have on agricultural lands.

Several individuals from across the nation have been recognized by the inaugural Environmental Leader Awards. The awards are an independent project administratively supported by the Center for Rural Affairs and made possible by the Walton Family Foundation.

A historically high amount of funding is available for Iowa farmers as part of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Producers have until June 15 to submit applications, and they stand a strong chance of being accepted.