Niobrara Nebraska from nearby hill

Blog Posts & Stories

What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.

Last week marked the end of bill introduction in the Nebraska Legislature. Senators introduced 812 new bills and 31 resolutions during the 10-day period. Committee hearings begin this week. Each bill...
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
Today is Day 10 of South Dakota’s 38-day legislative session, which will conclude March 27. All bills need to be introduced by Feb. 2 (Legislative Day 16) and must pass out of both houses by March 6...
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
We’re in the third week of Iowa’s legislative session. Lawmakers have been busy introducing legislation—a few hundred bills to date—with more expected to come.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Ellsworth Crossing, con sede en Waterloo, Nebraska, le da clientes la opción de comprar productos directamente de los rancheros y agricultores de Nebraska a través de su tienda o sitio web.
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
Ellsworth Crossing, based out of Waterloo, Nebraska, gives customers the option of buying products directly from Nebraska farmers through their storefront or online.
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
School scholarships have been a hot topic of discussion in the Iowa Legislature so far this session with Gov. Kim Reynolds’ introduction of the Students First Act. As part of the Students First Act...
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
The Center for Rural Affairs wants the Iowa Legislature to prioritize water quality and renewable energy in the new session. One priority is more funding for the 27 Watershed Management Authorities in Iowa.
  • Policy
The deadline is quickly approaching for farmers and ranchers to fill out the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the census to capture information on our nation’s farms, ranches, and the people who operate them.
  • Farm and Food
Los procesadores de carne independientes de Nebraska ahora tienen acceso a $10 millones en capital de préstamo a través del Center for Rural Affairs.
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
Nebraska independent meat processors now have access to $10 million in loan capital through the Center for Rural Affairs.
  • Farm and Food
  • Small Towns
​​​​​​​The wind that steadily blows an open field of prairie grass in the Great Plains just as easily moves the blades of wind turbines. Buffalo Ridge, in the southwest corner of Minnesota, has benefited from the industry since the 1990s. The geography of the ridge creates a wind rich environment favorable to energy production and taxes from the industry provide revenue to the region.
  • Policy
The recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 paved the way for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create more transparency and legitimacy around agriculture carbon markets...
  • Policy
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
Fouad Mhadji Issa dice que la próxima gran novedad será la vainilla de Nebraska. Como la carne de res o el maíz dulce. Koponi Vanilla, su empresa en Grand Island, Nebraska, vende frijoles, pasta y extracto gourmet. Fouad está trabajando arduamente para hacer de Koponi un producto de primera calidad buscado por chefs y panaderos caseros en todo el país.
  • Lending
Fouad Mhadji Issa says Nebraska vanilla will be the next big thing. Like beef. Or sweet corn. Koponi Vanilla, his business in Grand Island, Nebraska, sells gourmet beans, paste, and extract. Fouad is working hard to make Koponi a premium product sought after by chefs and home bakers nationwide.
  • Lending
The first week of the Nebraska legislative session saw the introduction of more than 200 new bills and resolutions. This week, senators will continue to introduce new bills ahead of the Jan. 18 deadline. Each bill introduced will be scheduled for a hearing in 1 of 14 standing committees.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
The 2023 Iowa legislative session began Monday, and we are returning to provide updates from a rural perspective. This year’s session is expected to last 110 calendar days, ending in late April
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Today marks the first day of the 2023 South Dakota legislative session. The Center for Rural Affairs will be tracking policies that affect the rural quality of life and intersect with our goal of...
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Community-based and socially engaged art can help to build community, deepen understanding, and encourage empathy. I experienced this firsthand on a recent visit to the traveling virtual reality...
  • Small Towns
In 2017, local leaders in eastern Iowa came together with goals to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and protect their drinking water. Five years later, the Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority (WMA) has drummed up engagement from hundreds of community members, and is well-positioned to implement future projects.
  • Policy
With feedback from agricultural producers in hand, Center for Rural Affairs Policy Associate Kalee Olson traveled to Washington, D.C., this fall as part of the 2022 National Sustainable Agriculture...
  • Farm and Food