News Releases

With more than 620 versions of regulations governing their industry, Nebraska food truck owners say this regulatory free-for-all is forcing them to turn down opportunities to work in multiple locations.

The Center for Rural Affairs, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has announced recognition of outstanding people and entities in three states.

The sign-up period for farmers interested in enrolling in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is open. In Iowa, the deadline to submit initial paperwork is March 17.

Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of on-farm and virtual workshops highlighting a poultry producer specializing in egg production.

Results of surveys conducted by the Center for Rural Affairs show Iowa’s Watershed Management Authorities (WMA) are making an impact as community leaders look to advance goals related to flood resiliency and water quality. Yet, the groups face an uncertain future.

Continuing a trend that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, Center for Rural Affairs Policy Director Johnathan Hladik said more people are choosing to relocate to smaller communities, a wave that could open the door to reversing Nebraska's rural population decline.

Wyatt Fraas has been recognized for 30 years of employment at the Center for Rural Affairs. Fraas, Farm and Community Assistant Director, handles program, grant, and project management—meaning he does everything from supervising staff members to developing partnerships with other organizations and agencies to advising beginning and retiring farmers

A survey of participants in the Midwest shows the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is making strides in providing financial and technical assistance for producers to maintain agricultural production on their land and simultaneously address resource concerns with conservation practices.

The sign-up period for farmers interested in enrolling in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is open. In Minnesota, the deadline to submit initial paperwork is Feb. 10.

With up to 625 political subdivisions developing their own unique rules and regulations for mobile food units, supporters of a bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature say it's time to bring consistency to the inspection and permitting process.

For agricultural producers and rural business owners interested in making the shift to renewable energy, the time is now to apply for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

Cover crops are becoming a more common conservation practice thanks to benefits such as increased soil health, improved water quality, and economic returns. Iowa farmers who have been implementing cover crops will be eligible for crop insurance discounts again this year.

LYONS, NEBRASKA – Independent meat processors in Nebraska now have access to $10 million in loan capital through the Center for Rural Affairs. The new initiative comes at a time when small lockers...

A Nebraska state senator is hoping a temporary change to eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), approved in 2021, will become permanent under legislation introduced recently.

With the 2022 cash crop harvest in the books, producers who planted cover crops may benefit from taking time to learn about special programs and insurance considerations in their area. To help, the Center for Rural Affairs has released a series of resources outlining cover crop initiatives, as well as guidelines for maintaining crop insurance when implementing this conservation practice.

Managing risk is an essential part of a successful agricultural operation, and crop insurance is one way for farmers and ranchers to do so. However, for some specialized operations crop insurance choices are not always clear. Two new resources from the Center for Rural Affairs describe coverage options available for small and organic operations—the Micro Farm program and Contract Price Option, respectively.

The open space of rural areas are often well-suited for wind energy production and thanks to the tax revenue generated, the industry is contributing to economic resiliency of rural Minnesota. A new report from the Center for Rural Affairs—“Industry on the Prairie: Minnesota Wind Energy Production Tax Impact Studies”— examines how some rural counties are using the revenue to benefit residents.

After months of gathering feedback from farm and rural leaders across the Midwest, the Center for Rural Affairs has released its 2023 farm bill platform. The platform outlines opportunities for improvement within working lands conservation, access to USDA programs, crop insurance, rural entrepreneurship, and small meat processing.

SOUTH DAKOTA – The deadline for South Dakota producers to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Dec. 9...

Minnesota farmers interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) need to submit initial paperwork by Nov. 18. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), EQIP provides financial and technical assistance for producers interested in implementing conservation in their operation while maintaining agricultural production.