We aren't afraid of the weeds. The people living in rural America deserve a serious and in-depth look at the issues and forces impacting their communities.
My favorite part of this job isn’t the cake we get for birthdays, although that is a pretty neat perk. I absolutely love visiting with you—our donors, event and program participants, small business loan recipients, board members, and everyday, rural people.
- Lending
- Policy
Las políticas estatales y nacionales tienen un impacto directo en nuestras vidas diarias. Entonces, ¿qué puedo hacer yo para afectar la política? Nuestros representantes son elegidos para actuar en representación nuestra para darle forma a las políticas que nos afectan. Se puede interactuar con...
- Lending
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
With the average age of a farmer at nearly 60 years, and millions of acres expected to change hands over the next few years, many Americans are thinking about who the next generation of producers will be. Investment in the next generation of producers is garnering attention with key congressional...
- Farm and Food
Martin Neal, of Hickman, Nebraska, is a beginning farmer searching for land. Currently farms 5 acres Hopes to farm 150 acres in the future Difficulty obtaining land: “When it comes to buying land, most have a pre-authorization letter and don’t need to go through the three- to four month process...
- Farm and Food
Jami Thoene, of Valparaiso, Nebraska, is a beginning farmer searching for land. Grew up on a family farm and was involved with 4-H and FFA. Obtained bachelor’s degree in agriculture education with a minor in animal science. Worked for a few veterinarians. Began working with Natural Resources...
- Farm and Food
Every day, rural communities benefit from wind energy. Wind development provides new income for landowners, new tax revenue to fund schools and services, and creates local career and job opportunities. County officials are responsible for enacting siting or zoning standards that help ensure wind...
- Policy
Every day, rural communities benefit from wind energy. Wind development provides new income for landowners, new tax revenue to fund schools and services, and creates local career and job opportunities. County officials are responsible for enacting siting or zoning standards that help ensure wind...
- Policy
Every day, rural communities benefit from wind energy. Wind development provides new income for landowners, new tax revenue to fund schools and services, and creates local career and job opportunities. County officials are responsible for enacting siting or zoning standards that help ensure wind...
- Policy
Every day, rural communities benefit from wind energy. Wind development provides new income for landowners, new tax revenue to fund schools and services, and creates local career and job opportunities. County officials are responsible for enacting siting or zoning standards that help ensure wind...
- Policy
The United States’ electric transmission network was originally designed to connect large, fossil fuel-powered plants to population centers with high demand. The way we generate electricity has changed significantly, and the existing electric grid often fails to meet the needs of new generation. As...
- Policy
The nature of electricity in the U.S. has undergone significant change. A growing renewable energy industry has created competition for traditional fossil fuel generating resources in the marketplace. American consumers—both residential and commercial—have also voiced demand for cleaner electricity...
- Policy
The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey estimates about 141,000 Nebraskans are without health insurance, and about 97,000 of them are employed. This map includes American Community Survey’s five-year estimate of the number of Nebraskans falling into the coverage gap, as well as...
- Policy
The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey estimates about 141,000 Nebraskans are without health insurance, and about 97,000 of them are employed. This map includes American Community Survey’s five-year estimate of the number of Nebraskans falling into the coverage gap, as well as...
- Policy
When are local foods available to add to school menus? Center for Rural Affairs partnered with Nebraska Department of Education - Nutrition Services, Nebraska Dry Bean Commission, Midwest Dairy, and Nebraska Beef Council to create a year-round Farm to School program, Nebraska Thursdays. This Produce...
- Farm and Food
- Small Towns
In this edition, you will read about Joan Burhmann, a 93-year-old working to make sure the next generation has a fair chance at rural life.
- Small Towns
Ryan Pekarek, of Pekarek’s Produce, near Dwight, Nebraska, sells vegetables to area schools. Who we sell to “We sell to Lone Tree Foods, a local distributor, and various schools. We also sell our produce at the Seward and Lincoln Haymarket farmers markets.” Ideal way to sell to schools “I would love...
- Small Towns
Benjamin Hintz and Mark Hintz, of Hintz Produce, near Hebron, Nebraska, sell vegetables to area schools. Importance of diversified markets “It is important to be diversified. If we only picked one [market] and it didn’t work out, a lot of food would be wasted. With only one direct consumer, we...
- Small Towns
What is livestock revenue insurance? Livestock revenue insurance includes insurance products that protect a producer against a decline in revenue reflected in the market. Types of livestock revenue insurance The Risk Management Agency currently has two revenue insurance products that help livestock...
- Farm and Food
Mark Roh, of Abie Vegetable People and co-owner of Lone Tree Foods, provides fresh vegetables to local schools. Abie Vegetable People is located near Abie, Nebraska. Favorite aspect of selling to schools “The volume of food we are supplying and knowing that we can provide better food for the kids...
- Small Towns
Gary Fehr, Green School Farms, near Lincoln, Nebraska, sells vegetables to area schools. Markets I sell to “I grow market vegetables and primarily sell via Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA), direct to schools, at farmers markets, through contract growing, and wholesale distribution.” Best...
- Small Towns
