The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is hosting its first Rural Summit in Anaheim, California on May 20. The Summit will focus on building connections between those working in microenterprise development, rural economic and community development, buy local efforts, Main Street revitalization, cultural and heritage initiatives, sustainable tourism, green and agricultural businesses, and others working to transform economic opportunity in Rural America.

In January 1974, Don Ralston, Center for Rural Affairs Co-Director, wrote an essay for the Center’s newsletter entitled Fewer Shadows on the Land in which he asked, “What value should be placed on the shadow the farmer casts on his land?”

Don concludes that, “Land stewardship is best achieved by the man who owns, operates, and lives on his own land. The shadow this man casts is perhaps the most valuable of all agricultural inputs.” There have been numerous examples of such prophetic vision throughout the Center’s 35 years.

According to new national research, self-employment in rural areas has exploded in recent decades and is poised to become a major economic driver in all rural communities. Yet public policy has lagged behind the challenges that accompany this new reality.

The biofuels boom offers both hope and peril for farmers and rural communities. We need to address the potential pitfalls now, while we still can.

The benefits are substantial – well paid jobs and a commodity price boom the likes of which we have not seen since the 1970s. But long-time observers who have seen it before are counseling caution. We would be wise to pay some heed.

On April 1, 2008, the Nebraska legislature killed LB 1174, the proposal to restrict corporate farming in Nebraska. On a vote of 27 opposed to 20 in support the legislature rejected the committee amendment that addressed opponent's concerns about the legislation by allowing unrelated farmers to form farm corporations. LB 1174 itself was withdrawn from debate after the amendment failed.

The beginning farmer and rancher provisions we are fighting to secure in the final farm bill would provide training, mentoring, and land-linking services to help link retiring and beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as a matched savings account program.

Brazilian firm plunges into U.S. meatpacking and cattle feeding ventures; California beef recall the largest in history

On March 4, JBS-S.A. of Sao Paulo, Brazil embarked on a beef packing acquisition binge. That day JBS announced its intention to purchase National Beef Company of Kansas City, America’s fourth largest beef packer. The next day, JBS announced its acquisition of Smithfield Beef Group.

Q. How do I find land to farm or ranch? Competition for land is fierce, and it’s so expensive.

A. The biggest hurdles for beginners are land and financing (often the same thing).

The Community Food Security Coalition is hosting its 2008 conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 4-8. The conference title is “Restoring Our Urban and Rural Communities with Healthy Food.” The conference boasts a wide ranging audience with farmers, policy makers, community activists, and others in attendance.

Plainview, Nebraska, has initiated a program that will have a lasting impact for many years and possibly many generations to come. The high school and National Honor Society have taken the first steps in creating a leadership academy to develop skills that can be used to help with leadership in the community, school, church, and in life.

Texas: The oil business is not the only thing booming in Texas, where wind energy is fueling a new boom. Texas now generates 3 percent of its total electricity from wind, making it the leading producer of wind in the nation. California, Minnesota, and Iowa follow in wind generating capacity. Farmers with turbines on their land profit from the boom.

Community Food Enterprise: Local Success in a Global Marketplace is a new joint funding venture between the Gates and Kellogg Foundations in support of local food. The Wallace Center at Winrock International, in partnership with the Training & Development Corporation, have set out to find, analyze, and present 24 diverse models of community owned food enterprises from around the world.

Over 550 people gathered in Columbus, Nebraska, on February 27, 2008, for the Center for Rural Affairs’ second annual Marketplace: Opening Doors to Success. It’s the only entrepreneurial conference of its kind in Nebraska and surrounding states.

On the eve of the MarketPlace: Opening Doors to Success conference held in Columbus, Nebraska on February 27, 2008, the Center for Rural Affairs honored several rural citizens for their efforts, integrity, and leadership. We’re proud to briefly introduce these outstanding folks to you.

What’s an endowment? An endowment is a collection of money that is given to an organization or institution with a stipulation that the funds will be invested to earn interest rather than spent immediately.