Blog Posts & Stories

Wind turbines are multiplying across the U.S., and most are installed in rural areas overlooking crops, cattle, timber, and lakes. Rural communities receive several benefits from the development of wind energy, but the growth of the industry has also presented a challenge in the form of local regulations that may be insufficient or out-of-date.

As an intern, Lu Evergreen worked with a woman farmer who ran an organic vegetable and poultry farm in the Snoqualmie Valley Region of Washington. The seasoned owner taught Evergreen about growing...

In the nation’s rural communities, where the food that feeds the world is grown, food insecurity is endured by millions of children, seniors, and hardworking Americans.

The president’s fiscal year 2019 budget was released last week. This latest budget includes many proposals that would be detrimental to rural America.

​​​​​​​Just as the debate over water quality has shifted in recent years, debates over confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Iowa continue to ratchet up. Increasingly, these two issues are seen as intertwined; one cannot be addressed without the other. Building on our previous post, this blog looks at legislation targeting livestock production.

Nebraska's rural lands offer abundant opportunities for farming and ranching, and also are home to nearly half of the state's 133,000 military veterans.

Navigating resources needed by and available to Nebraskans as they age in their homes and communities can be challenging, especially in rural areas.

America stands to suffer as a result of President Trump’s 2019 budget, released on Feb. 12. The president has proposed again to eliminate or shrink many programs that serve rural America, including...

A state Senate bill under consideration would scale back energy efficiency programs offered by utility companies such as home energy audits, benefits for home lighting upgrades and the rebates Iowans receive to install smart thermostats or energy-saving appliances.

​​​​​​​What do you love about rural communities? We asked attendees of the Practical Farmers of Iowa’s annual conference last month, when they stopped by our Center for Rural Affairs booth.

The farm economy is once again in the midst of substantial structural changes. A major wave of consolidation in the seed and chemical industry that kicked off in 2016 continues to move forward through market and regulatory hoops.

​​​​​​​The governor’s tax plan, LB 947, should be recognized for its attempt to address Nebraska's property tax challenge. However, this plan does little to bring balance and sound tax policy change to the state’s tax system.

My goal is to help small towns in rural Nebraska stay vibrant places to live by creating new businesses, and assisting communities grow from the inside out. I want to keep small towns attractive for individuals to stay in or come back to their birthplace.

Clean energy from wind and solar continues to grow our economy nationwide, mainly due to decreasing costs making renewables more competitive than non-renewables.

We (Cora and Anna) traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to meet with our representatives in Congress. We met with staff from – count ‘em – nine congressional offices for Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas, and stopped by several more to drop off our farm bill platform.

The 2018 sign-up deadline for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is quickly approaching.

​​​​​​​Sometimes farmers need a helping hand. Maybe you’d like financial counseling, or support during land transition, but aren’t sure where to go? Are you concerned about your farming operation or need mediation services?

State and national policy directly impact how we live. With state legislative sessions in full swing, how can you help guide your representatives’ policy decisions? Speak up through advocacy. Start...

This week, the Iowa House of Representatives passed a weakened version of the water quality bill that was discussed last session. Senate File 512 (SF512) now heads to the governor’s desk after members of the House receded the amendments they fought to support in 2017.

The 2008 farm bill introduced U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) first – and so far only – program focused on the next generation of farmers: the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program...