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.

President Trump’s budget released on May 23 demonstrates his lack of understanding and prioritization of the struggles of rural communities. Although Trump won the presidency with broad support from...
  • Farm and Food
  • Small Towns
​​​​​​​The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formally began the process to withdraw the Clean Water Rule, as prescribed by executive order. Meetings among the EPA, governors, and other state and local environmental regulators have begun.
  • Policy
Chuck and Barb Francis, of Lincoln, Neb., received the Center for Rural Affairs’ 2016 Seventh Generation Award at an awards ceremony on March 10 in York, Neb. The Seventh Generation Award is a...
  • Small Towns
With your help, the Center for Rural Affairs has a long history of working with lawmakers to help advance policies with big impacts on rural communities. We encourage you to get involved and make sure...
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
​​​​​​​Have you seen the news? The Center for Rural Affairs is hosting a conference for veteran farmers.
  • Farm and Food
Late last week, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad vetoed a provision in a budget bill that would have eliminated the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. (We sent a letter to Iowa lawmakers that can...
  • Farm and Food
The new Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, has a big job ahead in running the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). One important opportunity he has is to bring greater fairness to contract...
  • Farm and Food
Bill Furlong, of Iowa City, Iowa, was awarded the Center for Rural Affairs’ 2016 Citizenship Award. He was recognized at an awards ceremony on March 10 in York, Neb. The Citizenship Award is given to...
  • Farm and Food
Accessing land is one of the greatest obstacles many prospective farmers and ranchers in Iowa face, and new research suggests some are missing out on a program that could help.
  • Farm and Food
Crop insurance is the current cornerstone of federal support for farms. As farmers and crop insurance customers, we support a strong farm safety net. But we also believe the crop insurance program can be improved.
  • Farm and Food
For farmers and ranchers, climate and weather are not “new trends” as much as they are experiences of day-to-day reality. There is quite a lot of data available on climate change and no lack of...
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
The Center for Rural Affairs has fought on behalf of rural communities for nearly 45 years. We are heartened by U.S. Department of Agriculture Sec. Perdue’s expressions of support for rural...
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
Service is the number one priority at Odiss Enterprises, LLC, owned by Mary Jo and Don Longnecker in Indianola, Neb. That mantra is one of the reasons the Center for Rural Affairs chose Mary Jo and...
  • Lending
When Gov. Ricketts’ tax cut plans emerged at the beginning of the Nebraska legislative session, they appeared to set the stage for a classic rural-urban debate.
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
We congratulate you on your nomination and confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture. We write to you emphasizing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that support economic growth and environmental health in rural communities. We hope you recognize these opportunities to impact rural communities.
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
A fun beading workshop was held at the Nebraska Indian Community College in Santee on April 5. Beaders Deanna James and Emma Stumblingbear demonstrated different beading techniques, as well as shared patterns for beaded moccasins and earrings.
  • Small Towns
How does Nebraska’s tax burden balance out? A recent report from the Center for Rural Affairs explores the tax burden in 13 Nebraska counties.
  • Farm and Food
  • Small Towns
Imagine you feel strongly about an issue, but don’t know how to take steps to get involved. Or you want to run for a seat on a local committee that might benefit from your voice or input. You feel you...
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
We salute rural entrepreneurs during National Small Business Week, April 30 to May 6, 2017. This annual event has been held since 1963 and recognizes the hard work, dedication, and contributions of...
  • Lending
​​​​​​​The Great Plains has a bright future in renewable energy, especially in rural areas where there is abundant space and resources are plentiful.
  • Policy