We aren't afraid of the weeds. The people living in rural America deserve a serious and in-depth look at the issues and forces impacting their communities.
The Small Business Needs Assessment was first done by the Center for Rural Affairs in 2008. The survey has been completed every other year since. The purpose of the assessment is to determine the needs of small businesses in Nebraska as reported by small business owners and those who serve small...
- Lending
The Small Business Needs Assessment was first done by the Center for Rural Affairs in 2008. The survey has been completed every other year since. The purpose of the assessment is to determine the needs of small businesses in Nebraska as reported by small business owners and those who serve small...
- Lending
The Small Business Needs Assessment was first done by the Center for Rural Affairs in 2008. The survey has been completed every other year since. The purpose of the assessment is to determine the needs of small businesses in Nebraska as reported by small business owners and those who serve small...
- Lending
The Iowa Environmental Council and Center for Rural Affairs have released a best practices guide for counties developing utility-scale solar siting ordinances, Iowa Solar Siting Resource Guide: Best Practices for Counties. In addition to outlining the best practices of a good solar ordinance...
- Policy
Mark and Connie Tjelmeland live in McCallsburg, Iowa. Over the years, Mark and Connie Tjelmeland have prioritized our natural resources and climate through various conservation practices on their farm near McCallsburg, Iowa. Operation Practices extended rotation. Established 5 acres of pollinator...
- Policy
Jen and Meredith Hinson own Clara's Garden and live in Mediapolis, Iowa. Jen and Meredith Hinson, mother-daughter business owners, implement various sustainable practices, from sourcing their florals to how they dispose of remnants and used products. Their flower shop, Clara’s Garden, is focused on...
- Policy
The state of Nebraska is looking at a cost of nearly $487 million attributable to its 2017 childhood obesity rate for future health care costs and diminished productivity. Without seriously addressing the obesity rate and accompanying costs, this amount is likely to increase annually and compound upon itself.
- Small Towns
- Policy
At the Center for Rural Affairs, all of our work ties into our set of values. One value in particular, “Genuine OPPORTUNITY for all to earn a living, raise a family, and prosper in a rural place” strikes a chord.
- Small Towns
"Construyendo la resiliencia climática" es una serie de cuatro hojas informativas que se enfocan en la construcción de la resiliencia rural frente al cambio climático. Estos son parte del proyecto climático del Centro de Asuntos Rurales que se enfoca en elevar las historias de los líderes climáticos...
- Farm and Food
- Policy
"Building Climate Resiliency" is a series of four fact sheets that focus on building rural resiliency in the face of climate change. These are a part of the Center for Rural Affairs' climate project focusing on elevating the stories of rural climate leaders. The fact sheets focus on: Educators Rural...
- Lending
- Policy
"Building Climate Resiliency" is a series of four fact sheets that focus on building rural resiliency in the face of climate change. These are a part of the Center for Rural Affairs' climate project focusing on elevating the stories of rural climate leaders. The fact sheets focus on: Educators...
- Policy
"Building Climate Resiliency" is a series of four fact sheets that focus on building rural resiliency in the face of climate change. These are a part of the Center for Rural Affairs' climate project focusing on elevating the stories of rural climate leaders. The fact sheets focus on: Educators Rural...
- Policy
"Building Climate Resiliency" is a series of four fact sheets that focus on building rural resiliency in the face of climate change. These are a part of the Center for Rural Affairs' climate project focusing on elevating the stories of rural climate leaders. The fact sheets focus on: Educators Rural...
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Across the U.S., the solar industry is booming. Solar project sites often occupy several acres of land and are projected to cover 3 million acres by 2030. To produce 10 percent of Iowa’s electricity from solar energy, 13,440 acres would need to be occupied by solar arrays—offering an opportunity for...
- Policy
As stakeholders in Iowa’s 56 hydrologic unit code 8 (HUC-8) watersheds look to improve resiliency through conservation practice adoption, education and outreach, and long-term planning, securing funds for these activities is often a challenge. This fact sheet contains a list of local strategies...
- Policy
As Iowa looks to address its water quality problem, enabling success through watershed-level planning and project implementation is a crucial step. Developing a watershed management plan is an early part of the water quality improvement process that enables local buy-in and jump starts action in a...
- Policy
What is a Watershed Management Authority? A Watershed Management Authority (WMA) is a chapter 28E cooperative agreement among cities, counties, and soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) that enables them to work collaboratively on watershed planning and management within a Hydrologic Unit...
- Policy
Valorie and Terry Zach own Whitetail River Lodge. Through the Center, Valorie received one-on- one assistance on online marketing, as well as a loan for working capital for her business. Home away from home Valorie and Terry have owned Whitetail River Lodge for 12 years. It sits near Niobrara...
- Lending
Danelle and Josh Nutt own Nutt Family Jams and Jellies. The jams and jellies are homemade using fruits and vegetables grown on the Nutt family’s acreage outside Ravenna, Nebraska. Jams and jellies turn into career Danelle, and her husband, Josh, came up with the idea for their family business more...
- Lending
This 2020 calendar illustrates month-by-month the accomplishments you helped us achieve in 2019. From our executive director Dear Friends, We accomplished so much together this year. Your actions, advice, and donations made a difference. You connected people to the farmers who grow their food. You...
- Small Towns
