Blog Posts & Stories

Eduardo Erazo Cabrera’s dream to open his own restaurant started when he was a young boy, cooking for his siblings in El Salvador. His wife, Blanca Nieto, also dreamed of owning a business instead of working for other people. Now, after decades, Eduardo and Blanca have made their dreams come true.

We are celebrating 50 years of standing up for rural America. We feel incredibly lucky to do the work we do: to have the means to make small business dreams come true, to fight for opportunity and representation for family farmers, to expose inequities, and then to partner with communities to develop innovative solutions.

Jordan Classen and her husband, Travis, recently started their own farming operation, with Travis raising their cattle and Jordan managing their marketing and sales. The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program was able to help Jordan in a time of transition and allowed her to continue to focus on her operation.

Since 1973, one core tenet of the Center for Rural Affairs has been support for family farms and ranchers. This work is at the heart of rural America, and is a core component of the Center’s mission.

Before long, harvest will be upon us. For farmers across the state, this year has been marked by weather events and strains, including drought. Despite their hard work, some farmers may see a decrease in their yields due to these conditions. If this is the case, they may need to rely on their crop insurance to account for the loss.

Recent changes in cottage food laws in Nebraska and Iowa have made it more accessible for cottage food producers to share their products with their communities.

Raised on a farm near Osmond, Nebraska, Val Ankeny saw her parents sacrifice time and money to do work that they believed in. They made farming and family top priorities in life.

Antes de establecerse en South Sioux City, Nebraska, Alejandro Macias creció en San Julián, Jalisco, México. Su madre era dueña de una farmacia allí y vendía una gran variedad de artículos junto con medicamentos y productos farmacéuticos.

Before settling in South Sioux City, Nebraska, Alejandro Macias grew up in San Julian, Jalisco, Mexico. His mother owned a pharmacy there and sold a wide variety of items along with medications and pharmaceutical products.

At the age most farmers and producers retire, Sylvia Burgos Toftness and her husband, David, bought land and established their farm as a platform for conversation and education.

Students in eight rural Nebraska schools will soon be getting hands-on experience in "specialty crop" production thanks to a two-year U.S. Department of Agriculture grant awarded to the Center for Rural Affairs.

Access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet continues to be a challenge in rural America, and its absence denies residents, industries, and small businesses a vital service.

On Friday, Aug. 25, U.S. Reps. Zach Nunn (IA-3) and Angie Craig (MN-2) introduced the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act of 2023. The legislation would make improvements to the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) and expand opportunities for rural small businesses for years to come. We encourage you to show your support.

Muchos pequeños negocios comienzan como un poderoso equipo de una o dos personas y rápidamente se dan cuenta de la necesidad que tienen de ayuda adicional. ¿Cree que es hora de agregar uno o dos empleados para ayudar a compartir la carga?

Many small businesses begin as a mighty team of one or two and quickly recognize the need for additional help. Do you think it’s time to add an employee or two to the mix to help share the load?

August marks a unique point in farm bill negotiations. The farm bill is being drafted now, and we could see Congress take action soon. This means we may need your help in the near future.

Founder of Seafood Ninja, in Sunrise, Florida, Adriana Sanchez says one of the reasons she loves the work is because it’s ultimately about people and supporting communities that are leading the way to make sure our oceans are a little healthier.

Farm bill negotiations are in full swing in Washington D.C., laying the groundwork for rural and agriculture policy for years to come. We want to be sure your voice is heard during these negotiations.

Kaelyn Armstrong, una ávida amante del café, decidió que quería abrir un negocio propio. Con el apoyo de muchas de sus amigas enfermeras, combinó su amor por el café y su pasión por servir a los demás cuando abrió su cafetería móvil, Saved By The Well.

Kaelyn Armstrong, an avid coffee lover, decided she wanted to open a business of her own. With the encouragement of her many friends, she combined her love of coffee and passion to serve others when she opened her mobile coffee shop, Saved By The Well.