What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
Whether due to lockdowns or lack of customers, the coronavirus pandemic has left countless businesses closed and people without jobs. Claudia Escobedo and her husband found themselves in that situation, but they have made the best out of bad circumstances.
- Lending
Carbon payment programs offer a financial opportunity for farmers implementing important conservation on their farms and while there has been growing excitement for these programs, standardization and verification is necessary.
- Policy
- Farm and Food
There is never a dull moment in Guadalupe Aracely Vazquez’s life. From raising her children to planning parties of every kind, the decorator does it all.
- Lending
Nunca hay un momento aburrido en la vida de Guadalupe Aracely Vázquez. Desde la crianza de sus hijos hasta la planificación de fiestas de todo tipo, la decoradora lo hace todo.
- Lending
Communities across Nebraska are banding together in response to the COVID-19 health emergency, and volunteers have become critical for distributing vaccines.
- Small Towns
- Policy
Welcome again to your update on the Nebraska Legislature. The past two weeks have seen the advancement of a number of bills supported by the Center, as well as debate and advancement of the state budget.
- Policy
- Farm and Food
- Lending
- Small Towns
We are nearing the end of the 2021 legislative session as lawmakers concluded their 14th week last Friday. We have been continually grateful for the support that countless rural Iowans have demonstrated for the priorities we are pursuing this year.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Melissa Florell became aware of the Center growing up near the Center’s home office in Lyons, Nebraska. Though she now lives outside Kearney, Nebraska, with her family, Melissa’s connection with the Center spans most of her career.
- Small Towns
- Policy
Last Friday, the Biden administration released a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. While full details have yet to be released, the Center is encouraged to see priorities focused on rural America, such as conservation in agriculture, broadband, and clean energy in rural communities, included.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Legislative Bill (LB) 108, a bill to fix a flaw known as the “cliff effect” in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received first round approval in the Nebraska Legislature on April 14.
- Farm and Food
Rural America has always been a part of Maureen Timblin’s life. She grew up on a farm in western Iowa, where her five brothers helped their dad with the family’s crops and livestock, and Maureen helped her mom around their home.
- Small Towns
Yolanda Peck, ella misma una inmigrante, ha pasado su vida y su carrera aprendiendo y creciendo en este país, y ahora presta sus conocimientos a quienes recién comienzan su vida aquí, con la esperanza de hacer de su nuevo hogar un hogar acogedor.
- Small Towns
Yolanda Peck, an immigrant herself, has spent her life and career learning and growing in this country, and now lends her knowledge to those just starting their life here, in hopes of making their new home a welcoming one.
- Small Towns
The supply chain for meat processing still is dealing with issues caused by the pandemic, and smaller operations have been picking up the slack. A proposal in the Iowa Legislature would create a grant program to help with the surge in demand.
- Farm and Food
William, ahora propietario de Sabrina Salon, LLC, pudo asumir este nuevo rol con la ayuda financiera del Center For Rural Affairs. A través de esa financiación, realizó los cambios necesarios para abrir su negocio y comenzar el trabajo de sus sueños.
- Lending
Now the owner of Sabrina Salon, LLC, William was able to take on this new role with financial assistance from the Center for Rural Affairs. Through that funding, he made the changes necessary to open his business and start his dream job.
- Lending
On April 5, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reopened part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for applications.
- Farm and Food
El 5 de abril, el Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. (USDA) reabrió parte del Programa de Asistencia Alimentaria por Coronavirus (CFAP) para solicitudes.
- Farm and Food
Over the past eight years, Iowa has invested millions of public dollars toward the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy which aims to reduce nutrient loss in the state’s waterways by 45 percent by 2035
- Policy
Many of us have changed the way we purchase and prepare our food over the past 12 months. Families now spend more time cooking at home. We are learning that local meat provides a better and more affordable alternative to the big box store.
- Farm and Food
