News Releases

SCOTTSBLUFF, NEBRASKA – Nicci Chitwood has recently been hired to serve the Nebraska panhandle as a Center for Rural Affairs loan specialist. Chitwood’s role is to work with new and existing small...

The Center for Rural Affairs applauds Nebraska lawmakers for their support of legislation that reduces overregulation in the food truck industry, promotes entrepreneurship, and provides consumers with safe and affordable dining options.

With a vote set for Wednesday, the Center for Rural Affairs is urging Nebraska lawmakers to override Gov. Jim Pillen’s veto of funding for rural workforce housing.

Steele Valenzuela, of Decatur, Nebraska, has been appointed to the Center for Rural Affairs Board of Directors.

The Kearney Area Farmers Market opened May 6, offering fresh vegetables, homemade bread, and more. Buffalo County Community Partners and the Center for Rural Affairs are partnering with the market in an effort to raise awareness of the nutritional importance and economic impact access to fresh fruits and vegetables make in the community.

Current and beginning Latino farmers in and around West Point and Douglas who are interested in starting a poultry business and hearing from farmers about their operations are invited to “Cycle of a Poultry Operation,” hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs.

Los granjeros latinos actuales y principiantes de West Point, Douglas y sus alrededores que estén interesados en iniciar un negocio avícola y escuchar a los granjeros sobre sus operaciones están invitados al "Ciclo de una operación avícola", organizado por el Center for Rural Affairs.

Is your community ready to explore how to make locally grown foods accessible? How you can connect people with fruits, vegetables, and other healthy options?

The community school districts in Carroll, Fremont-Mills, Logan-Magnolia, East Mills, and Stanton have been chosen to begin and/or reinvigorate agriculture education in their communities as part of a new farm to school program offered by the Center for Rural Affairs.

An innovative new approach to conservation pioneered by leaders in central Iowa will be the topic of discussion during an upcoming webinar hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs.

As demand for solar energy continues to grow, the co-location of solar and agriculture—also known as agrivoltaics—offers opportunities for conservation, food production, increasing pollinator habitat, and adding farm revenue streams while producing affordable renewable energy.

With U.S. House and Senate congressional committees considering funding for 2024, the Center for Rural Affairs and 30 organizations from across the country are asking for their continued support of rural small businesses.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has announced the availability of approximately $31 million in funding for projects as part of the Value-Added Producer Grants program.

Schools in 12 counties in southwest Iowa are encouraged to apply to participate in a new farm to school agriculture education program hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs. Five K-12 schools will be chosen to begin and/or reinvigorate agriculture education.

Richard “Dick” Potter of Valparaiso received the 2023 Outstanding Farmer Veteran Award at the 56th annual Triumph of Ag Expo on March 2 in Omaha. The award is sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs.

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

The Center for Rural Affairs is encouraged to see the Biden administration’s support for agricultural producers and rural communities in its federal budget released Thursday. The proposed budget includes funding for a cover crop incentive program, as well as boosts in funding for programs supporting voluntary conservation and rural small businesses.

Supporters wanting to ensure Medicaid recipients have equitable access to health care and that families continue to receive the assistance they need to put food on the table appeared before the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee this week, seeking the advancement of two bills.

On Monday, the Center for Rural Affairs joined more than 600 organizations, businesses, and farms to urge U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders to protect historic investments in conservation and climate-smart agriculture.

Farmers and ranchers, restaurant owners, and local food supporters in Buffalo County are invited to take part in a skills development program resulting in Local Food Leader Certification.