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.
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Congress Overlooks America’s Small Towns
To win good policy, we need your voice.
Small towns and ordinary rural people are receiving short shrift in federal policy.
Our recent study found that USDA spent twice as much on subsidies to just the 20 biggest farms in each of 13 leading farm states – 260 mega farms – as it spent on rural development programs to create strong communities and economic opportunity for millions of rural people in 260 struggling rural counties in those same 13 states.
Veterans Fight to Farm
New Help Available for Veterans Seeking Entry into Agriculture
Matt recently returned from military service in Iraq. He works for a construction company that builds beachfront high rises in South Carolina. But this hard working, self-reliant veteran dreams of a greater future for himself and his family.
He spent his childhood on a horse farm and joined the National Guard in college. After graduation, Matt was posted to Iraq and served as a Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader, putting his leadership abilities and hands-on approach to life into action.
Health Care Law Protects Consumers
The 2010 Affordable Care Act protects consumers by requiring health insurance companies to spend between 80-85 percent of your premium dollar on medical care or improvements, instead of on advertising or executive salaries. The term used for this rule is “medical loss ratio,” and it protects consumers from insurers who increase prices without good reason or justification.
EPA Regulations Usher in Industry Change
The Clean Air Act is already one of the most successful public health programs in American history, with a return of more than $30 in benefits for every dollar invested in pollution reductions. In 2010 alone the program prevented an esti¬mated 160,000 cases of premature mortality, 130,000 heart attacks, 86,000 hospital visits, 13 million lost work days, and approximately 1.7 million asthma attacks.
Corporate Farming Notes
Increasingly, weeds resistant to glyphosate have created a perverse incentive for chemical companies to design new herbicide-resistant crops. Ironic, in that decreasing the use of 2,4-D and other herbicides was a common rationale for widespread use of glyphosate-resistant crops.
Across the Nation
Transmission Line Delivers New Jobs and Greater Capacity
Developed by Clean Line Energy, this project will deliver 3,500 megawatts of wind energy from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota to large cities in Illinois and eastward. Once completed, Rock Island will power 1.4 million homes in the Midwest with clean, safe and renewable energy.
Model Legislation for Rural Wind Development
The US Department of Energy study 20 Percent Wind by 2020 concluded that ramping up wind generation to 20 percent of the nation’s electricity would create 3,000 or more permanent jobs in many Great Plains and central US states. But the degree of benefit will always be greatest when local people share in the ownership of wind projects and the wealth they create. The benefits are further multiplied when local businesses become the builders and suppliers of wind farms.
Reductions Slash Investments in Rural Towns
Curb Rural Development Cuts
Across the board, rural programs are being dismantled. The steepest cuts have been in grants and loans to small towns for community facilities and community development, which have been slashed by two-thirds. Small business development and funding for small town water and sewer systems have also taken deep cuts.
Rules Finalized for Land Contract Guarantee Program
The program provides federal loan guarantees to retiring farmers and landowners who self-finance the sale of their land to beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
Land Link Sneak Peek
Rotationally Grazed Central Missouri Dairy
A central Missouri dairy seeks a beginning farmer to purchase their 79 acre rotational-grazed dairy operation. The farm features electric cross fencing and auto-watering to 12 paddocks and a partial line of machinery that could be used by a successor. The current landowner will serve as a mentor to a beginning farmer for the initial months of ownership and help ease the transition onto the new farm. Purchase of cattle to accompany the farm is negotiable.
Beginning Farmer Desires Small Plot to Grow Vegetables
A beginning vegetable farmer seeks 5-20 acres anywhere in the United States to start her own organic vegetable farm. The farmer will cultivate vegetables, berries, and possibly establish fruit trees. Organic practices including composting are planned, and she may use small animals in the operation to encourage on-farm nutrient cycling. This farmer plans to build a greenhouse and hoop houses on the property. Produce will be marketed through farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Interested in the dairy farm? Know of land for the vegetable farm? Call or email Virginia Wolking, 402.687.2100 or virginiaw@cfra.org.
Land Link is our program to revitalize rural America by matching new farmers with landowners.
Celebrate Entrepreneurship Week
February 15-22, 2012
The Center for Rural Affairs and sponsors are hosting our first, dedicated youth day as an independent, separate event prior to the 6th Annual Nebraska MarketPlace Conference during Entrepreneurship Week in Kearney!
The BIZ IDEA Summit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, is focused on Innovation, Dialogue, Entrepreneurship and Action. It is targeted to high school aged entrepreneurs. A Youth Business Showcase Video Competition - with prizes - is a highlight of the afternoon.Check out other Entrepreneurship Week Celebrations, and plan to participate!
