Center for Rural Affairs' Newsletter
| The Center for Rural Affairs' newsletter surveys national events affecting Rural America. Special sections include an in-depth feature article, a section of Corporate Farming Notes, and many short, newsy pieces of general interest.
Current articles appear below | Newsletter Archive | Subscribe to Newsletter
|
Take Action! Urge Obama Administration to Limit Farm Payments
In a reversal of the President’s central campaign pledge on rural policy, the administration has refused to close the biggest loophole in the federal farm payment limitation. In Iowa, candidate Obama pledged to take immediate action to close loopholes by limiting payments to active farmers who work the land and their landlords.
What’s the Annual Report Issue?
It has become a tradition to include the Center for Rural Affairs annual report in our March newsletter. Like many of you, we had both wins and losses last year, but because of your support, we are heading into the new decade with our finances in order and our will as strong and determined as ever.
A Message from Chuck
The Center for Rural Affairs makes one promise – we will persevere as a committed force improving life in rural America and a steadfast voice for the values that reflect the best in rural people. This is our report to you on what we’ve done, so you can judge whether we’ve lived up to our commitment and earned your support.
Rural America and the Health Reform Debate
Health care reform roared onto the national agenda in 2009. Concerned about the affordability and access to health care for small businesses, farmers and ranchers and rural people, the Center advocated ensuring that any health care reform passed by Congress addressed rural issues. Through analysis, media and grassroots organizing, we quickly became the leading rural voice in the health care debate.
Why Health Care Reform Can’t Wait
Our newest health reform report – Why Health Care Reform Can’t Wait – shows the consequences of health reform inaction by Congress. The consequences of inaction are severe and substantial for many rural people.
REAP Helps Small Rural Businesses Grow
Since 1990, REAP has provided business development services to over 10,000 micro businesses. Loans totaling $5,215,746 have been placed due to REAP assistance. While traditional lenders pulled back in 2009, we placed more micro loans than ever before.
The success of small rural entrepreneurs depends on access to loan capital, business management training, networking and one-on-one business counseling. The Center’s Rural Enterprise Assistance Program, better known as REAP, works with Nebraska startup and existing small businesses with five or fewer employees on a statewide rural basis. Since 1990, REAP has offered training, networking, one-on-one technical assistance, and small loans to businesses.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Open
USDA is seeking 2010 applications for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. This competitive grant program supports organizations conducting community-based beginning farmer and rancher training, education and mentoring.
Sustainable Local Community Development Meeting
A public meeting on sustainable local community development is coming to Sioux City, Iowa, on March 26, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Dr. John Ikerd, a national authority on local sustainable development, will be featured.
Farm, Small Business and Energy Policy Roundup
In the last year we secured new funding for rural small business development, helped beginning and family farmers and ranchers access new programs, secured and promoted new conservation initiatives, continued our efforts to reform farm programs to support family farms, and ramped up our work on energy policy.
Center Aids Communities in Developing Assets
In the last year we worked hand-in-hand with rural people and communities, serving rural Nebraska with our sustainable agriculture, beginning farmers and ranchers and community development work.
Rural Funding Available
In three different programs, funds are now available for new and existing cooperatively owned businesses, for rural libraries and for community facilities that might fit USDA's new Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative.
Mega Farm Loophole Remains Open
In a repudiation of the president’s central campaign pledge on rural policy, the Obama administration has refused to close the biggest loophole in the
federal farm payment limitation.
Corporate Farming Notes-Courts Favor Monsanto
On January 15, Judge E. Richard Webber, U.S. District Court of Saint Louis, ruled that a 2002 licensing agreement prohibits DuPont
from creating a new line of seeds in which its own glyphosate-tolerant genetic trait is stacked with Monsanto’s Roundup Ready trait.
States Need Solid Energy Policies
It’s an opportune time to shape state policies to ensure that wind energy development provides lasting benefits to rural communities and wealth to
ordinary citizens.
Addressing All Elements of Local Food
These days it seems the most popular person to be in the food system is the “local farmer.” Farmers markets are popping up everywhere, and their size
and popularity grow all the time. Local food is trendy – even the First Family is in on it.
Beginning Farmers: Look beyond Commodity Crops
We’re often asked how best to support beginning farmers and ranchers once they’ve accessed land. We’re always on the lookout for ideas, but the following advice is a good starting point.
