Hispanic male in a blue shirt and jeans squatting in a garden smiling at the camera
Healthy food + healthy soil
Sandro says the most important thing people can do when farming is to care for the soil and environment.
Center for Rural Affairs Lyons office; outdoor shot of building with pollinator plot
Rural advocates honored
Six awards go to rural champions.
Hispanic male in grey shirt leans on a few rolls of carpet in a hallway
Business owner turns to Center
Jorge attended classes, got personalized one-on-one business counseling, and received a loan.
Inside the Nebraska Capitol building. Many tables and chairs with light brick walls.
2024 legislative updates
Stay informed on what is happening during the legislative session with our biweekly legislative updates.
Small town main street lined with small business storefronts
Heartland Environmental Justice Center
Center joins regional partnership to offer more to rural communities.
Solar panels line a green-grassed field
From the desk of the executive director
Federal legislation offers new pathway for clean energy

Unapologetically Rural

We are unapologetically rural. We stand up for the small family farmer and rancher, new business owner, and rural communities. For more than 50 years, we've been a leading force engaging people to build a better rural future. We live this work. Welcome to our rural revolution.

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Offering small business and housing loans in Nebraska.
Apply now.
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Loans for small- and medium-sized facilities, resources, advocacy.
Learn more.
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We have programs and resources for beginning, women, veteran, and conventional farmers.
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Find rural analysis on the topics affecting rural communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

You have questions? We have answers. Here are some of the more common questions we receive. If you don't see what you're looking for here, please send us an email at info@cfra.org.

Yes. Our staff host regular videos called "Rural Rapport" that describe our work, and many of our webinars are published online. We even have feature and how-to videos. All clips and full features can be found on our YouTube channel. Click here to watch.

You can donate to the Center in a number of ways.

  • Give online at cfra.org/give - either a one-time donation or you can set up a recurring donation.
  • Check out options to give to our Granary Foundation here.
  • You can mail in donations to: Center for Rural Affairs, PO Box 136, Lyons, NE 68038. 

Updates on the 2023 farm bill can be found our farm bill page here. Read up on the Center's priorities here.

Our home ownership loans are from $5,000 to $100,000 and can be used for: purchase of home, owner occupied rehabilitation or renovation, or emergency repair to a property in Nebraska. Visit cfra.org/homeloans for more information and to apply online. If you have questions, click here to find your loan specialist.

Our small business loans are only available in Nebraska. Visit cfra.org/loans to view the types of loans we offer and to apply online. If you have questions, click here to find your loan specialist.

Our Mission

Establish strong rural communities, social and economic justice, environmental stewardship, and genuine opportunity for all while engaging people in decisions that affect the quality of their lives and the future of their communities.