News Releases

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.

For farmers across the nation, implementing conservation practices into existing row-crop operations has played a key role in maintaining healthy agricultural soils.

Small-scale meat processors seeking support through Iowa’s Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Fund can now apply for grant funding. The first step in the application process—a pre-application assessment—is due Nov. 28.

Participants for the 2022 Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellowship Program have been announced by the Center for Rural Affairs, in partnership with Big Muddy Urban Farm, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, and Metropolitan Community College Culinary, Hospitality, and Horticulture.

The deadline for Nebraska producers to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Nov. 18. CSP and EQIP are working lands programs that allow farmers and ranchers to address natural resource priorities while maintaining agricultural production.

A Nebraska school greenhouse demonstrating excellence in food production and exemplary education will receive the second Greenhouse to Cafeteria Award early next year, presented by the Center for Rural Affairs, in collaboration with Nebraska FFA.

Efforts to improve and expand Nebraska’s meat processing capabilities got a boost Monday as the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced its first round of grant funding through the Independent Processor Assistance Program (IPAP).

The deadline for Iowa farmers to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Oct.7. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), CSP and EQIP provide financial and technical assistance for producers interested in addressing natural resource priorities in their operations.

In a win for producers across the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency recently announced changes to two crop insurance programs—Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm. The improvements will expand access to risk management options for thousands of producers, particularly those with small or diversified operations.

With drought conditions posing a significant threat to Iowa’s agriculture industry and rural communities continuing to experience the aftermath of recent extreme weather events, the Center for Rural Affairs is asking Iowa lawmakers to take action.