What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
10.02.2015
The Center for Rural Affairs has focused on beginning farmers since 1990, when we analyzed the changing age of farmers. In 2009 we noticed an increasing number of inquiries from military veterans...
- Farm and Food
10.01.2015
From our Top 10 Rural Research Reports, we recount a special series we ran on small, rural schools. It’s an A+ in our #tbt countdown.
- Small Towns
09.29.2015
Take on two new life adventures at the same time? Sure, why not! Connie and Roger Kirkpatrick were married on Friday July 3, 2009. On Monday, July 6, they signed the papers for a REAP loan to purchase equipment for their new business, RCK Creations & More.
- Lending
09.24.2015
October is National Farm to School month, and the enthusiasm is sweeping the nation. Here in Nebraska, we often talk about farm to school being a win-win-win for all: students, farmers, and communities.
- Small Towns
09.24.2015
Number 5 in our countdown of the Center for Rural Affairs Top 10 Rural Research Reports is not for the faint of heart. This week the Throwback Thursday report is Swept Away: Chronic Harship and Fresh Promise on the Rural Great Plains, from 2003.
- Farm and Food
09.23.2015
This fall the Center for Rural Affairs will partner with the Nebraska Indian Community College to bring together farmers, community members, students, and instructors to raise awareness of, monitor...
- Policy
09.22.2015
School Name: Aurora Public School School Address: 300 L St, Aurora, NE 68818 Who is on your school’s internal Farm to School team? Food Service Director, Denise Bone who is beginning to partner with...
- Small Towns
09.21.2015
For many of the rural communities along one of the nation’s scenic byways, byway marketing is the only avenue available to them for showcasing the unique tourism offerings in their area. These might be an annual festival, distinctive natural resource, remarkable small museum, or quaint mom-and-pop lodging and dining options.
- Small Towns
09.18.2015
In August, individuals representing every county in Arizona descended on Clarkdale, Arizona, for the 9th Annual Arizona Rural Policy Forum. The forum connects rural economic development specialists, nonprofits, community leaders, business owners, and other folks interested in sustaining small towns and rural communities.
- Small Towns
09.17.2015
During the 2-year debate on expanding Medicaid to low-income people without health insurance here in Nebraska, a major anti-Medicaid argument was that it doesn’t provide quality coverage for health care needs, and low-income residents would be better off uninsured.
- Policy
09.17.2015
You have arrived at the 6th report in our countdown of Top 10 Rural Research Reports for a #tbt (Throwback Thursday) feature. Undoubtedly, there is a country song in this week's topics. The young move out. The old stay put. We get poorer. The brightest spot? New immigrants arrive.
- Small Towns
09.16.2015
School Name: Overton School School Address: 401 7th St, Overton, NE 68863 Who is on your school’s internal Farm to School team? Food Service Director, Science teacher, Shop teacher/FFA Advisor, and...
- Small Towns
09.16.2015
School Name: Bancroft-Rosalie Community School School Address: 708 Main St., Bancroft, NE 68004 Who is on your school’s internal Farm to School team? Superintendent, Food Service Director and staff...
- Small Towns
09.16.2015
If you’ve been paying attention to the Center for Rural Affairs’ work with Native American communities, you know a grassroots movement for food sovereignty is underway.
- Small Towns
09.15.2015
We clipped this ad from the local paper. This outfit seeks to “acquire” 5,000 acres of farmland in our home county. That will cost them nearly $50 million. They own 1,900 acres in the county now, and...
- Farm and Food
09.15.2015
Water is a necessity for all living things. We have a responsibility to act as good stewards of our water, now and for future generations.
- Policy
09.13.2015
It started out as a complex question. With more than 6 million beef cattle raised in Nebraska, and agriculture’s hold as the state’s top industry, why are Nebraska’s students not served local beef on their lunch trays?
- Small Towns
09.11.2015
Nitrates in drinking water can be hazardous to the health of pregnant women, nursing mothers, infant children, and the elderly. Methemoglobinemia, or “blue baby” disease, is a significant concern. Nitrates can also lead to uranium contamination, causing kidney damage and elevated blood pressure.
- Policy
09.10.2015
It's week 4 of our Letterman-style countdown of Top 10 Rural Research Reports from the Center for Rural Affairs. This #tbt Throwback Thursday post looks at the report that kicked off our health care reform advocacy.
- Policy
09.09.2015
Previously we focused on public policy to increase wages and income, provide enhanced tax benefits, and create partnerships and incentives to develop more skilled, high-paid jobs. Here are four more ways to address income inequality on the rural Great Plains.
- Small Towns
