Niobrara Nebraska from nearby hill

Blog Posts & Stories

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

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s important to remember to set aside some time to square away your business’s year-end finances. We’ve got some great tips to help set your small business up for a successful and resilient new year.
  • Lending
The expansion of wind generation has been, and continues to be, a boon for rural development. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the nation. Several Midwest states, including Nebraska, are leading the charge in its development, according to recent reports from the U.S. Department of Energy.
  • Policy
The expansion of wind generation has been, and continues to be, a boon for rural development. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the nation. Several Midwest states, including Iowa, are leading the charge in its development, according to recent reports from the U.S. Department of Energy.
  • Policy
The expansion of wind generation has been, and continues to be, a boon for rural development. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the nation. Several Midwest states, including South Dakota, are leading the charge in its development, according to recent reports from the U.S. Department of Energy.
  • Policy
The expansion of wind generation has been, and continues to be, a boon for rural development. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the nation. Several Midwest states, including Minnesota, are leading the charge in its development, according to recent reports from the U.S. Department of Energy.
  • Policy
This blog is part of our “Farm Bill Bulletin” series, which provides intermittent updates on the development and status of our nation’s next farm bill. Small business lenders from across the U.S. have...
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Maite Arce works to build up Latino voices so they can be heard in conservation policy and stewardship, and to expand access to community resources. She established the Hispanic Access Foundation focused on issues including community access, financial literacy, improving health outcomes for Latinos, developing and supporting Latino leaders, and more.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
A medida que termina el último mes de 2023, Erin Schoenberg reflexiona sobre lo que los seguidores del Centro han dicho acerca de lo que hace que el Centro sea especial para ellos. Y antes de que se escape el tiempo, seguidores como usted tienen una oportunidad más de hacer algo especial para fortalecer el trabajo para un futuro rural más brillante.
  • Small Towns
As the final month of 2023 winds down, Erin Schoenberg reflects back on what supporters have had to say of what makes the Center special to them. And before any more time slips away, supporters like you have one more opportunity to do something special to strengthen our advocacy efforts, diversify our lending services, and develop creative partnerships to build a brighter rural future.
  • Small Towns
There's a new resource for Nebraska communities and organizations facing environmental justice issues: the Heartland Environmental Justice Center (HEJC) at Wichita State University. WSU received one of 17 Environmental Protection Agency grants to establish an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center.
  • Small Towns
Organic certification can be a valuable economic avenue for farmers to pursue, as it allows them to access both new markets and higher price premiums. However, many farmers either are not familiar...
  • Farm and Food
Sara Brubacher’s interest in plants, food, and farming has evolved over the past few years. She wanted to learn more about conservation practices she could implement on her farm, so she applied for and was accepted into the Center's Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellowship Program.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
When applying for organic certification from USDA, farmers first need to create an Organic System Plan that describes how their farming, handling, and/or processing practices meet organic standards. Here are six standards to consider when working to get certified organic.
  • Farm and Food
A newly released report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows growth in wind and solar development has led to substantial increases in local ordinances. As demand for clean energy grows, local governments are tasked with identifying how clean energy will be regulated.
  • Policy
Jorge Velásquez pasó años trabajando en plantas empacadoras de carne y como instalador de pisos antes de decidir convertirse en propietario de un pequeño negocio. Pero enfrento algunos desafíos a lo largo de su camino hasta convertirse en propietario de George Flooring, con sede en South Sioux City, Nebraska.
  • Lending
Jorge Velasquez spent years working in meatpacking plants and as a flooring installer before deciding to become a small business owner. But he has faced a few challenges along his journey to being the owner of George Flooring, based in South Sioux City, Nebraska.
  • Lending
The holiday season is right around the corner and it comes with great news. According to a Gallup survey, 74% of holiday shoppers said they expect to pay about the same amount or more on holiday gifts this year compared to last. Moreover, 23% of shoppers said they choose one retailer over another because they want to support small and local businesses in their community.
  • Small Towns
In southwest Iowa, local foods are often overlooked more than in the rest of the state. With that in mind, the Southwest Iowa Local Foods Summit, held Nov. 10 in Avoca, was meaningful for the 70-some...
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
For the Prairie Island Indian Community, taking advantage of renewable energy is a way to preserve its way of life for future generations. Tribal leaders have been interested in the opportunities renewable energy could bring the community for several years, and in 2020 they moved from interest to action by becoming one of the first Tribal Nations to set a goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
  • Policy
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25 and there are plenty of Nebraska small business owners hoping for your business. In 2022, shoppers across the country spent nearly $18 billion at small shops and restaurants on Small Business Saturday.
  • Small Towns