Editor's note:
Our newest satellite office is open.
In late September, I had the opportunity to attend the opening of our latest office—in Walthill, Nebraska. You heard that right. In 2004, we moved our main office from Walthill to Lyons. Now, our food sovereignty and small business work has taken us back to the community.
The new Walthill office is unique. This building holds one of two makerspaces—a collaborative work space which includes traditional, low-tech tools as well as cutting-edge technologies. (The other makerspace lives in Santee.) The goal is to assist students and Tribal members in advancing their small businesses.
Makerspace equipment may be too expensive for a budding entrepreneur to purchase, but, after hands-on training, they can use the tools at no cost. Equipment includes sewing machines, a quilting machine, sublimation printer, a glow forge, and a Cricut machine.
At the open house, members of the community tried out the sticker maker and the Cricut machine, showing off beautifully-crafted designs. A handful of community members sold jewelry and other homemade items. And, healthy, fresh food was provided.
I can’t wait to see the items that come out of our makerspace, and to meet more members of the community through this satellite office.
-Rhea Landholm
In this issue:
Center conducts legislative study on role of local grocery stores in rural food access - Locally owned grocery stores are key to providing equitable and affordable access to healthy food, but rural communities often struggle to maintain these essential resources as stores close because of an increasingly difficult business landscape.
Planning for progress in Iowa’s watersheds - Rural leaders working with two Iowa Watershed Management Authorities (WMAs) are taking an important step to improve the state’s water quality by developing comprehensive watershed management plans. The plans enable buy-in from regional leaders and initiate efforts to understand the watershed’s current situation and identify potential solutions to quality concerns.
Conservation Mentorship Network offers opportunity for peer-to-peer education - When it comes to new farming methods, producers often turn to their peers for help and information they can trust. Implementing conservation practices is no exception.
Food truck owners feel welcome and find financial success in Schuyler - Sabino and Maria Hernandez have seen their fair share of trials and tribulations along their entrepreneurial journey from relocation to zoning permits to putting up a new building. But the word “quit” is not in their vocabulary.
Iowa community colleges meet rising demand for clean energy workers - The economic boom of clean energy across the Midwest has accelerated the demand for a qualified workforce in a rapidly growing industry.
Farmer Veteran Coalition chapter opens in Nebraska, aims to build statewide network - For many years, the Center for Rural Affairs has worked alongside active service members and military veterans. Whether coming back to their agricultural roots or starting as beginning farmers, veterans often get help from Center staff when they decide to operate small family farms and ranches.
