New Center for Rural Affairs’ analysis demonstrates that the income limits in the House and Senate farm bills will have little affect, other than to provide political cover for politicians who refuse to support true payment limitation reform.

“If scientists cannot agree on whether climate change is real, how are we supposed to decide?” asked a participant in a rural Nebraska meeting.

It is a fair question, but it should not stop us from fulfilling our responsibility as citizens of conscience to search for the truth. If predictions are accurate, climate change is the most critical environmental and economic challenge confronting our generation and one of the most urgent moral issues.

One of the great pleasures of working for the Center for Rural Affairs lies in communicating with supporters, activists, and farmers throughout the country. Increasingly, the queries we receive concern renewable energy, biofuels, and, in particular, ethanol.

Indiana county slated for mega hog expansion; South Dakota industrial dairies financed through bizarre immigration arrangement

In December, the 12-member Planning Commission of Randolph County, Indiana, voted unanimously to endorse an ordinance that would create a so-called “agricultural district” across 75 percent of Randolph County specifically for the construction of industrial livestock operations.

Over 50 opponents filled the meeting room to comment on the proposed ordinance, and at least another 50 were forced to stand in the hallway because the room was too crowded for them to enter.

Calls, letters, and emails find their way to the Center for Rural Affairs each week from beginning farmers and ranchers asking for information, advice, money, land, and validation. We answer each one with encouragement and information. Below we share some often-asked questions and our responses. (See our January 2008 newsletter for Part I of beginning farmer/rancher resources.)

Q. I want to farm. What financial help is available to beginners?

There was a time when many rural communities supported a small meat processing plant, where farmers could get hogs or calves butchered for family and friends, or hunters could get wild game processed. These businesses also rented lockers where customers could store quantities of meat in the days before refrigeration.

In 1965, Iowa had more than 550 small meat processing plants, compared to less than 200 today. Most states have seen similar declines. However, recent consumer interest in locally raised organic and natural meat also is increasing the demand for meat processing facilities. In addition, the draft farm bill contains provisions to encourage interstate sales by state-inspected processing plants.

Nebraska: The child poverty rate in the state is up 50 percent over the last five years according to a new report from Voices for Children in Nebraska. Fifteen percent of children in the state live in poverty, and 36 percent live in low-income households.

Additionally, 45,000 Nebraska children were without health insurance for the year reported. In some of Nebraska’s most rural counties the number of children without insurance is among the worst in the nation.

In my newsletter column last month, I began to explore what local food systems and purchasing locally does for rural economies. This complex topic opens up a number of questions, and they start with the simplest one: why local foods?

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just a beginner, now is the time of year when the dreams of a summer garden full of fresh vegetables should be at the front of your mind. Winter is the perfect time to start planning for the spring planting season and remind us of warmer times ahead.

This year the Center for Rural Affairs has a full state policy agenda in Lincoln. We’re pushing for the following pieces of state legislation:

Initiative 300, LB 1174 - We are seeking a legislative replacement for Nebraska’s anti-corporate farming constitutional amendment, Initiative 300. I-300 was ruled unconstitutional by federal court last fall.

Everything is falling into place for an excellent second annual MarketPlace on Feb. 27, 2008, at the New World Inn in Columbus, Nebraska. This is the Center for Rural Affairs' one big meeting of the year, and the whole day is centered on strengthening our small businesses and communities. From local foods, direct marketing, and agritourism through business financing, packaging your products, and renewing your community – 28 sessions will tempt you.

The Center for Rural Affairs is excited to host the culminating event of the Windmills of Life Project – the Windmill Reception and Auction on Saturday, March 29, 2008, at the Minden Opera House in Minden, Nebraska. The auction of all the sculptures and art will benefit Nebraska artists and communities.

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson has won $250,000 in federal funding to enable the Center’s Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) to serve more small businesses across rural Nebraska. In addition, we’ll use the new funds to establish a Rural Revitalization Website.

The Gospel On the Land, The Gospel For the Land – Issues of Evangelism and Environment is coming to Dubuque, Iowa, March 2 through 4, 2008. The Center for Rural Affairs’ John Crabtree is the keynote speaker on the opening evening, sharing his views on “Farm Policy and the Rural Church in the 21st Century.”