We are committed to keeping the issues facing rural America in the news media. Here you'll find news on the work we do on public policy, farming and ranching, small businesses, and rural communities.
As work begins on the 2025 federal budget, the Center for Rural Affairs and 26 partner organizations from across the country are asking Congress for continued support of rural small businesses through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). Their letter—sent Tuesday to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees—requests $8 million in funding for the program.
- Lending
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
El mercado de agricultores del área de Kearney abrirá el sábado 4 de mayo y ofrecerá verduras frescas, pan casero y más. Buffalo County Community Partners y el Center for Rural Affairs se están asociando con el mercado en un esfuerzo por crear conciencia sobre la importancia nutricional y el impacto económico que tiene el acceso a frutas y verduras frescas en la comunidad.
- Farm and Food
The Kearney Area Farmers Market will open Saturday, May 4, 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.
- Farm and Food
In its continuing effort to create vibrant rural communities and advocate for issues important to rural residents, the Center for Rural Affairs invites Minnesotans to complete a short survey.
- Policy
Jillian Linster of Pender, Nebraska, was recently named policy director with the Center for Rural Affairs. Linster joined the Center in May 2023 as the assistant policy director and served as interim policy director before her recent appointment. The Center’s policy work spans the nation and is focused in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
- Small Towns
- Policy
Red Oak and Montgomery County community members interested in learning more about local foods and connecting with other residents are invited to a public meeting hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and Red Oak Farmers Market.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
A new watershed coalition has been established in north central Iowa. The Winnebago River Watershed Management Coalition (WMC) met for the first time this month to kickstart local water quality and flood mitigation efforts.
- Policy
Sandra Renner, of West Point, has been appointed chief people officer with the Center for Rural Affairs. Over the past decade, she has served in several capacities with the Center, most recently as farm and community director. As chief people officer, a newly created position, she’ll work across the organization to support Center staff and board members.
- Small Towns
With spring comes thoughts of planting, followed by a summer of farmers markets. In addition to selling fruits, vegetables, meat, and other farm products, farmers markets often include prepared food, arts and crafts, cut flowers, baked goods, and handcrafted items. They also provide a gathering place for the community.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
Con la primavera llegan los pensamientos sobre la siembra, seguidos por un verano de mercados de agricultores. Además de vender frutas, verduras, carne y otros productos agrícolas, los mercados de agricultores suelen incluir comida preparada, artesanías, flores cortadas, productos horneados y artículos hechos a mano. También proporcionan un lugar de reunión para la comunidad.
- Farm and Food
Individuals from across the nation have been recognized by the second annual Environmental Leader Awards, an independent project administratively supported by the Center for Rural Affairs and made possible by the Walton Family Foundation.
- Farm and Food
Spanish-speaking community members interested in starting or improving their child care businesses are invited to attend a free conference presented in Spanish.
- Lending
Los miembros de la comunidad de habla hispana interesados en iniciar o mejorar su negocio de cuidado infantil están invitados a asistir a una conferencia gratuita presentada en español.
- Lending
The Center for Rural Affairs has announced recognition of outstanding people and entities in two states. “Each year, we honor the rural champions who help us accomplish so much for rural America,” said Brian Depew, executive director. “This group of award winners have gone above and beyond to lay the foundation for a better rural future.”
- Small Towns
The Center for Rural Affairs welcomes this morning’s news from Gov. Jim Pillen that Nebraska will participate in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program.
- Policy
Applications are now being accepted for the Center for Rural Affairs’ Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellowship program. Beginning farmers who want to deepen their conservation knowledge are invited to apply. Fellows will complete coursework in conservation programs and practices, climate change adaptation and impacts, racial equity, and leadership.
- Farm and Food
Jessi Chandler Mason said she and her husband Andrew “took a leap of faith” when they purchased the small grocery store in her hometown of Anselmo two years ago.
- Small Towns
- Policy
While the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act offers an unprecedented amount of funding to rural communities for infrastructure, energy, and conservation projects, applying for the grants can be challenging.
- Small Towns
The Center for Rural Affairs is among more than 30 partners working together to increase business development assistance to small, mid-size, and diverse food and farm entrepreneurs in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas.
- Farm and Food
The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking participants for its new Conservation Mentorship Network, a program designed to foster peer-to-peer education among farmers and ranchers and increase the number of conservation practices adopted across Nebraska.
- Farm and Food
