Farm Bill
The farm bill developed by congressional agriculture committee leaders represents the worst aspects of federal policy and most misguided instincts of elected officials. Fortunately, it has been set aside, at least for the time being. Read more here.
Renewable Energy
Landowner Ideas Needed Involved in a wind development project on your land? Your insight can help improve the process for other landowners. Click here to find out how.
Map of Clean Energy Transmission Projects Provides an up-to-date overview of transmission projects in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest. The map will help journalists, communities, landowners, and others track projects in their region.
Connect the Dots: Transmission and Rural Communities Expansion of the electric transmission grid is key to a clean energy future. An improved grid will bring more wind energy online, creating rural jobs in both transmission and wind industries.
Clean Energy Transmission Principles We are developing a set of principles to address increased transmission of wind energy in a way that considers the voices of those who will be affected by new lines.
Wind Energy Poll Shows Overwhelming Support A poll finds overwhelmingly favorable (94%) impressions of wind power among Nebraska voters and strong majority (79%) support for requiring large electric utilities to use renewable energy sources for at least 20% of electricity they generate.
Renewable Energy's Economic Potential Examines the economic potential of wind energy development, including the economic impact, job creation and wind resources in IA, KS, NE and SD.
Health Care Reform
What's in the Affordable Care Act for Prevention and Public Health? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and so the new law puts a much greater emphasis on health, including strategies to promote healthier people and communities.
What's in the Affordable Care Act for Rural Young Adults? The new law includes significant benefits for young adults in rural communities. This report examines provisions that benefit them and the rural places they call home.
What’s in Health Insurance Exchanges that Work for Rural? The new insurance marketplaces will help individuals and small businesses access affordable and quality health insurance. See important rural issues and considerations.
What's in it for Individuals and Families? Several important health insurance reforms took effect on September 23, 2010. See what they mean for rural Americans.
What's in it for Rural Communities? Access provisions were a major part of health reform. Learn about improved access to health care services for rural America.
What's in it for Small Business? Our report debunks the top four myths about reform and small business. Find out what the law does.
See all our health care reports and research from others here.
Grocery Stores - Two briefs explore the Importance and Challenges of rural grocery stores and Ownership Models that Work for Rural Communities. Check out our main grocery store page here.
Farmers and Ranchers
Credit, Crop Insurance and Sustainable Agriculture in Iowa Shares results of a survey of producers, ag lenders and crop insurance agents to understand their attitudes and knowledge of sustainable agriculture and gauge if discrimination in lending and crop insurance practices.
Barriers to Latino and Hispanic Farmers-Ranchers in Nebraska Despite an increase in Hispanics and Latinos over the last decade, a significant number of farmers and ranchers with Hispanic and Latino origins have fled the agricultural sector of Nebraska.
Snapshot of Missouri and Nebraska Latino Farmers and Ranchers - Latino farms and ranches have declined, despite overall increases in the Latino population in both states.
A Guide for Organic Farmers and Ranchers to Improve Conservation Programs See how organic producers can influence rules for federal conservation programs at the state and local level in this guide. (Opens pdf) Online version here.
Value-Added Producer Grant Program This program helps producers expand markets and increase profitability through value-added agricultural enterprises.
Conservation Stewardship Program USDA has initiated a continuous sign-up for CSP applications. Learn all about the program.
Conservation Reserve Program Transition Option Thousands of acres are set to come out of the Conservation Reserve Program. This new option provides an economic incentive to transfer some of that land to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
2011 Organic Initiative Program Provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who are transitioning to organic systems and those already conducting organic practices.
Rural Communities
Federal Rural Development in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula Farm programs are getting the most attention in the 2012 farm bill debate, but rural development programs are bringing in more dollars to fund important projects for communities and residents.
Mini Homestead Act - the New American Dream Kim Preston, a researcher at the Center, was quoted in a news story about free land for housing in a small North Dakota town. Find other locations with similar programs here.
Community Development Resource Guide A new easy reference guide to assist rural communities.
Leadership for Rural Communities A four-part series on developing leadership skills from the Center for Rural Affairs Newsletter.
Hollowing Out the Plains Our report on the latest census data shows rural areas continue to lose population, while smaller cities and metropolitan areas expand.
Age Distribution on the Great Plains, our 2nd census report, finds that rural areas in the Great Plains and Midwest continue to lose population and are caught between “bookend generations” - the youngest and the oldest - with a demographic valley in between.
See more rural community development topics here.
Legacy Reports and other Content
Comments to USDA on Closing Farm Payment Loopholes
The Future Is Now A Delaware corporation pays $52 million for Nebraska land after I-300 is no longer in force.
Wheels of Fortune The Centers' 1976 report that spurred debate about irrigation and corporate farming in Nebraska is now online as a PDF.
Who Will Sit Up With The Corporate Sow? The prophetic 1975 report from the Center is now online as a PDF.
Promising Opportunities: A Fresh Look at Opportunities for Rural Communities offered some great economic development ideas.
Small Farm Energy Primer The Center's work with a group of farmers changed the way on-farm research is done and resulted in energy savings.
Read the Blog for Rural America | Read our weekly columns
The farm bill developed by congressional agriculture committee leaders represents the worst aspects of federal policy and most misguided instincts of elected officials. Fortunately, it has been set aside, at least for the time being. Read more here.
Renewable Energy
Landowner Ideas Needed Involved in a wind development project on your land? Your insight can help improve the process for other landowners. Click here to find out how.
Map of Clean Energy Transmission Projects Provides an up-to-date overview of transmission projects in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest. The map will help journalists, communities, landowners, and others track projects in their region.
Connect the Dots: Transmission and Rural Communities Expansion of the electric transmission grid is key to a clean energy future. An improved grid will bring more wind energy online, creating rural jobs in both transmission and wind industries.
Clean Energy Transmission Principles We are developing a set of principles to address increased transmission of wind energy in a way that considers the voices of those who will be affected by new lines.
Wind Energy Poll Shows Overwhelming Support A poll finds overwhelmingly favorable (94%) impressions of wind power among Nebraska voters and strong majority (79%) support for requiring large electric utilities to use renewable energy sources for at least 20% of electricity they generate.
Renewable Energy's Economic Potential Examines the economic potential of wind energy development, including the economic impact, job creation and wind resources in IA, KS, NE and SD.
Health Care Reform
What's in the Affordable Care Act for Prevention and Public Health? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and so the new law puts a much greater emphasis on health, including strategies to promote healthier people and communities.
What's in the Affordable Care Act for Rural Young Adults? The new law includes significant benefits for young adults in rural communities. This report examines provisions that benefit them and the rural places they call home.
What’s in Health Insurance Exchanges that Work for Rural? The new insurance marketplaces will help individuals and small businesses access affordable and quality health insurance. See important rural issues and considerations.
What's in it for Individuals and Families? Several important health insurance reforms took effect on September 23, 2010. See what they mean for rural Americans.
What's in it for Rural Communities? Access provisions were a major part of health reform. Learn about improved access to health care services for rural America.
What's in it for Small Business? Our report debunks the top four myths about reform and small business. Find out what the law does.
See all our health care reports and research from others here.
Grocery Stores - Two briefs explore the Importance and Challenges of rural grocery stores and Ownership Models that Work for Rural Communities. Check out our main grocery store page here.
Farmers and Ranchers
Credit, Crop Insurance and Sustainable Agriculture in Iowa Shares results of a survey of producers, ag lenders and crop insurance agents to understand their attitudes and knowledge of sustainable agriculture and gauge if discrimination in lending and crop insurance practices.
Barriers to Latino and Hispanic Farmers-Ranchers in Nebraska Despite an increase in Hispanics and Latinos over the last decade, a significant number of farmers and ranchers with Hispanic and Latino origins have fled the agricultural sector of Nebraska.
Snapshot of Missouri and Nebraska Latino Farmers and Ranchers - Latino farms and ranches have declined, despite overall increases in the Latino population in both states.
A Guide for Organic Farmers and Ranchers to Improve Conservation Programs See how organic producers can influence rules for federal conservation programs at the state and local level in this guide. (Opens pdf) Online version here.
Value-Added Producer Grant Program This program helps producers expand markets and increase profitability through value-added agricultural enterprises.
Conservation Stewardship Program USDA has initiated a continuous sign-up for CSP applications. Learn all about the program.
Conservation Reserve Program Transition Option Thousands of acres are set to come out of the Conservation Reserve Program. This new option provides an economic incentive to transfer some of that land to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
2011 Organic Initiative Program Provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who are transitioning to organic systems and those already conducting organic practices.
Rural Communities
Federal Rural Development in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula Farm programs are getting the most attention in the 2012 farm bill debate, but rural development programs are bringing in more dollars to fund important projects for communities and residents.
Mini Homestead Act - the New American Dream Kim Preston, a researcher at the Center, was quoted in a news story about free land for housing in a small North Dakota town. Find other locations with similar programs here.
Community Development Resource Guide A new easy reference guide to assist rural communities.
Leadership for Rural Communities A four-part series on developing leadership skills from the Center for Rural Affairs Newsletter.
Hollowing Out the Plains Our report on the latest census data shows rural areas continue to lose population, while smaller cities and metropolitan areas expand.
Age Distribution on the Great Plains, our 2nd census report, finds that rural areas in the Great Plains and Midwest continue to lose population and are caught between “bookend generations” - the youngest and the oldest - with a demographic valley in between.
See more rural community development topics here.
Legacy Reports and other Content
Comments to USDA on Closing Farm Payment Loopholes
The Future Is Now A Delaware corporation pays $52 million for Nebraska land after I-300 is no longer in force.
Wheels of Fortune The Centers' 1976 report that spurred debate about irrigation and corporate farming in Nebraska is now online as a PDF.
Who Will Sit Up With The Corporate Sow? The prophetic 1975 report from the Center is now online as a PDF.
Promising Opportunities: A Fresh Look at Opportunities for Rural Communities offered some great economic development ideas.
Small Farm Energy Primer The Center's work with a group of farmers changed the way on-farm research is done and resulted in energy savings.
Read the Blog for Rural America | Read our weekly columns
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01/26/2012It is popular in the current political climate, to talk about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship. The President talked about entrepreneurs several times during his recent State of the Union address. And policy debates in Lincoln and Washington, DC on issues as divergent as health care, taxes and economic development often focus on the impact on entrepreneurs in either support or opposition to the policy up for debate.
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01/23/2012USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently extended the application deadline for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) until Friday, January 27, 2012 for farmers and ranchers who hope to apply for the CSP for next year but needed additional time to complete applications. To sign up, producers should visit their local NRCS office.
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01/19/2012For rural businesses the road to success involves creating and nurturing relationships with your town, community, and support organizations. When you decide to start a new business in a small town, you have a whole community pulling for you. Knowing how to access and utilize all that local goodwill could mean the difference between success and failure.