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Blog Posts & Stories

What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.

It has been a busy few weeks at the Capitol. Yesterday was Crossover Day, which is the last date for bills to be passed through their house of origin. All bills must pass both houses by March 6,with...
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
During the summer of 1973, a group of rural Nebraskans saw how their communities were changing. They were concerned about the future of the places they called home, about access to economic...
  • Small Towns
Last week, a hearing for Legislative Bill (LB) 740 was held before the Agriculture Committee. This Center for Rural Affairs legislation, introduced by Sen. Tony Vargas, would streamline the permitting process for food truck operators as well as create an online registry of local food truck ordinances with the Department of Agriculture.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
We’re in the seventh week of the 2023 Iowa legislative session. The first funnel deadline is quickly approaching on March 3. To remain viable, bills must pass through committees in their own chambers by this date (with some exceptions).
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
Carbon pipelines are a contentious issue in the Midwest’s western region, where several pipeline routes are being proposed. A pivotal point in that discussion centers on which level of government—federal, state, or local—has jurisdiction over certain developmental regulations.
  • Policy
The use of telehealth services has improved health care access in rural communities across Nebraska. Residents having limited or no access to a clinic or hospital have used the technology to get treatment for issues not requiring immediate medical attention, meet with their provider between visits, and consult with a specialist not otherwise available in their area.
  • Policy
Renewable energy has been powering South Dakota for more than a century. Hydroelectric generation was introduced to the state in 1912 and has been vital in the state’s energy landscape since, powering three of the state’s four largest power plants by capacity.
  • Policy
De niño en El Salvador, Wilmer Linares vio a su familia hornear pan y aprendió las recetas y los métodos que se habían utilizado durante generaciones. Estas habilidades, heredadas de su querida abuela y madre trabajadora, son las que Wilmer ahora usa para mantener a su familia.
  • Lending
As a child in El Salvador, Wilmer Linares watched his family bake bread and learned the recipes and methods that had been used for generations. Passed down from his beloved grandmother and hardworking mother, those skills are what Wilmer now uses to provide for his family.
  • Lending
A bill in the Nebraska Legislature would give small communities some help in applying for and administering federal grant money.
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
Carbon pipelines have been a contentious issue in rural communities in recent years, and some state legislators have taken action. In Iowa and South Dakota, several bills addressing major issues around the pipelines have been introduced. In Minnesota, current activity is predominantly being addressed by the Public Utilities Commission.
  • Policy
For farmers across the country, the first months of a new year mean thinking about planting their next crop. For many, it also means thinking ahead to the deadline to sign up for federal crop insurance.
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
The growing popularity of food trucks has led states across the country to modernize laws governing the industry.
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
We’re about a month into the 2023 Iowa legislative session. Lawmakers have continued to stay busy with bill introductions, committee and subcommittee meetings, and debates.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
Nebraska state senators were busy with all-day committee hearings last week and will continue that schedule this week. Two of the bills the Center for Rural Affairs is monitoring—Legislative Bills (LB) 321 and 515—had hearings last week.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
Today is Day 19 of South Dakota’s 38-day legislative session, which will conclude March 27. The last day for bill introduction was Feb. 2. Bills must pass out of their house of origin by Feb. 22, which is known as Crossover Day.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Producers are facing a dire need to increase production in the current market. More are also looking for ways to engage in conservation. Relay cropping may provide the solution for both of these issues.
  • Farm and Food
​​​​​​​If you live in Minnesota, you’ve likely seen that the bill to speed up the transition to carbon-free electricity is a Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) party priority and is rapidly moving through the Legislature. House File 7/Senate File 4, better known as the 100% clean energy bill, would accelerate the transition to 100% carbon-free emissions electricity by 10 years to 2040.
  • Policy
A desire to help feed the hungry and care for the planet led Peter David to explore the world of agriculture. Implementing conservation practices helps him work toward those goals. Before emigrating...
  • Farm and Food
If you now of a farmer or rancher who has served our country in the military, now is the time to nominate them for an award a the 56th Annual Triumph of Ag Expo in Omaha.
  • Farm and Food