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.

Mientras Minnesota trabaja para lograr una electricidad 100% libre de carbono para el año 2040, una organización sin fines de lucro del sureste de Minnesota está aprovechando las iniciativas amplias de financiación de energía limpia para apoyar su misión.
  • Policy
As Minnesota works toward 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, one southeastern Minnesota nonprofit organization is taking advantage of expanded clean energy funding initiatives to support its mission.
  • Policy
Durante años, René Márquez soñó con tener su propio gimnasio. Entonces, cuando el menos lo esperaba, la oportunidad de comprar un espacio se le presentó la opción perfecta. Pudieron tomar posesión de Warehouse Fitness & Training Center en noviembre de 2022, gracias a la ayuda de un préstamo por parte del Programa de Asistencia a Microempresarios Rurales del Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU.
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
For years, Rene Marquez dreamed of owning his own gym. Then, when he was least expecting it, the opportunity to buy a space presented itself as the perfect option. They were able to take ownership of Warehouse Fitness & Training Center in November 2022, thanks to the help of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program loan.
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Joe Benson got involved in food sovereignty after he started farming on his own, sparking his interest in conservation. His hope is to move the land toward healing by bringing it back to its natural state.
  • Farm and Food
Many Nebraska households still lack broadband service, and a number of them qualify for monthly assistance with their bill. More than $14 billion has been allocated through the Affordable Connectivity Program, part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Cuando eres propietario de un pequeño negocio, no faltan tareas con las que hacer malabares. Pero hay un aspecto crucial que a menudo se pasa por alto en el ajetreo y el bullicio del espíritu empresarial: los seguros. Conozca la importancia del seguro para propietarios de pequeñas empresas.
  • Lending
There is no shortage of tasks to juggle when you’re a small business owner. But there's one crucial aspect that often gets overlooked in the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship: insurance. Learn of the importance of insurance for small business owners.
  • Lending
Over the past decade, the farm to school movement has reached millions of students in the United States and its territories. From school gardens and farm field trips to local food on cafeteria trays...
  • Farm and Food
Ashley Sperling found herself drawn to the comfort of small towns and gravel roads, rural America has always been home even after she moved away for college. With her children growing up, Ashley decided she wanted to find her way back into the world of finance, she got that opportunity when she joined the Center as an accounting associate.
  • Small Towns
In southeast Iowa, Ryan Vogel and his family are laying a foundation on their farm for the years to come. Ryan always knew he wanted to come back to his family’s farm near Sigourney. After earning a...
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
Montana Thatcher siempre ha amado a los niños. Desde que tenía edad suficiente para cuidarlos, sabía que quería tener su propia guardería. La oportunidad de comprar la guardería llego en el otoño de 2022 y Montana lo aceptó.
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Montana Thatcher has always loved children. Since she was old enough to look after them, she knew she wanted to run her own day care. The opportunity came up in fall 2022, and Montana took it.
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Infrastructure is often the first hurdle to high-speed internet access for rural Americans, but it isn’t the last. Once the wires have been laid, residents still have to pay to use the service...
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Miranda Roberts works within the Santee community to plan activities to help increase the number of gardens and locally formed small businesses.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
With continued state, federal, and private investments, access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet service is increasing across South Dakota. Recently, Gov. Kristi Noem and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development announced the distribution of up to $27 million as part of the final round of grant funding through ConnectSD, the state’s broadband deployment program.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Rural America is in Jane Yule’s blood. For decades, her family has settled in small towns around Nebraska, and there’s no place she’d rather live. Her love of rural America and continued interest in the Center’s work led Jane to take an active role in the organization.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
When James Keeley started farming, all he knew was what he learned gardening in the backyard with his mom. But his limited knowledge didn’t stop him from making agriculture his main focus in life.
  • Farm and Food
Desde el desierto de Nuevo México hasta los campos de Nebraska, Justin Jones ha estado intrigado por la tierra que lo rodea desde que era un niño y continúa aprendiendo de ella hasta el día de hoy.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
From the desert of New Mexico to the fields of Nebraska, Justin Jones has been intrigued by the land around him since he was a child, and he continues to learn from it to this day.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food