Editor's note:
Hiking in Minnesota is one of my favorite things to do. Its Department of Natural Resources, which runs the state parks and recreation areas, has a fun Hiking Club challenge. Almost all of the state parks have a designated Hiking Club trail, and somewhere along the trail is a sign with a password. I love this idea to scatter folks around to parks, especially lesser known or less popular parks.
I have been working on Hiking Club trails for a couple of years now. In May, I took a week and completed 13 trails, while also taking advantage of state park campgrounds.
On the way to one state park, I noticed an extraordinary thing. In Winona County, between St. Charles and Whitewater State Park, almost every acreage and farm has solar. Rooftop solar, barntop solar, solar in the yard, solar on the top of a fence at the edge of a field. And, in St. Charles, an assisted living facility had numerous panels of rooftop solar. At the state park, the visitor center and the shower buildings in the campgrounds are powered by solar.
Perhaps solar is at the front of mind with the news of our Nebraska Solar for All program. However, I can’t help but imagine what it could look like in our home state. I encourage you to start thinking about how you can work solar into your buildings or even your community buildings. We are at least a year out from offering our loans and grants, but that time will be here before we know it.
-Rhea Landholm
Inside this issue:
Center for Rural Affairs selected for $62.4 million Solar for All award: The Center for Rural Affairs has announced that it has been awarded a $62 million grant to transform solar energy accessibility and affordability in Nebraska. We will work with partners and contractors to provide technical and financial assistance to support community, rooftop, and multifamily affordable housing solar projects.
Agriculture Committee drafts signal farm bill progress: After months of anticipation, the U.S. House and Senate agriculture committees have taken initial steps in the long process of passing a new farm bill.
Historic building houses farmers market, new opportunities for Iowa town: After witnessing the devastation of Iowa’s floods in 2019, Margaret Brady felt drawn to help those affected. She had no idea that desire would lead to the revitalization of her community.
Food truck owner offers authentic Mexican fare: For the past few summers, customers in Fremont, Nebraska, have been able to sample authentic coastal flavors from Guerrero, Mexico, without leaving town. They have Irma Lopez’s love of cooking and desire to share her passion to thank for that opportunity.
CSP helps young farmer, family prioritize conservation: Ryan Vogel and his family are laying a foundation on their southeast Iowa farm for the years to come.
Resources available for communities seeking federal grants: To ensure rural communities are not left out of an unprecedented opportunity to apply for federal grants for infrastructure, energy, and conservation projects through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Center for Rural Affairs has created two resources to assist with funding pursuits.
Solar set to increase across the U.S.: The Center for Rural Affairs is one of 60 recipients of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Solar for All program. The announcement came in late April, with an award of $62.4 million going to the Center to increase solar in Nebraska.
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