Niobrara Nebraska from nearby hill

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Grey graphic that says "Nebraska Legislative Update" and "03.28.2025" on the top, then "Public hearings conclude, full- day debate to begin " with a photo of the Nebraska State Capitol building in the lower right hand corner, and an image of an envelope and a megaphone in the lower lefthand corner
Audra Espinoza
Prairie Beacon – Public hearings conclude, full-day debate to begin
Business in the legislature has been progressing steadily, with mostly noncontroversial bills advancing. Today marked the end of public hearings for this year’s introduced legislation, with full-day...
  • Policy
Blue graphic that says "Minnesota Memo" and "03.28.2025" on the top, then "Governor's revised two-year budget plan proposes more cuts" with a photo of the Minnesota statehouse in the lower right hand corner, and an image of an envelope and a megaphone in the lower lefthand corner
Cora Hoffer
Minnesota Memo - Governor's revised two-year budget plan proposes more cuts
Today ends week eleven of Minnesota’s legislative session. Passing a state budget is the top priority for the remainder of the session, which is set to end on May 19. The deadline to pass a budget is...
  • Policy
Photo taken from outside of a USDA Service Center. There is a white sign with "USDA" in blue, a green hill graphic, and the words "USDA SERVICE CENTER" below. We see a blue sky and the roof of the building in the background.
Kalee Olson
Local USDA offices face uncertainty due to funding freeze, terminations
Recent actions taken by the federal administration have left many individuals wondering about the status of a small-town staple—the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) county office.
  • Small Towns
A group of 12 stand in a field of tall grass and weeds surveying a grade stabilization drop structure near Shell Creek. Many wear jeans and baseball caps. The sky is blue and filled with fluffy white clouds. At the front of the image, we see the grade stabilization drop structure, which appears to be a retaining wall of sorts. Yellow wildflowers grow among the weeds and grasses.
Val Ankeny
Federal funding bolsters Lower Platte North NRD’s conservation initiatives
Protecting Lives. Protecting Property. Protecting the Future. This mission drives the work of the Lower Platte North Natural Resource District (LPNNRD), which serves 28 communities and manages more...
  • Policy
Three white women stand next to a grocery store cash register and smile at the camera. The woman in the back, to the left, has short brown hair and wears a blue long-sleeved shirt. The woman in the middle has brown hair pulled back into a pony tail and wears a teal top with a long black cardigan over it. The woman in the front and to the right has light brown, shoulder-length hair, blue glasses, and a blue floral top.
Center for Rural Affairs
Rural grocery store in Iowa celebrates five years of community ownership
Five years ago, a community in rural Iowa came together to save a vital part of their small town: the grocery store. With a population of approximately 900 people, Gowrie is in many ways an idyllic small town.
  • Small Towns
Graphic that says "Pierre Review, 03.18.2025" on the top. Then "Legislative session draws to a close" and on the bottom has an image of the statehouse in South Dakota.
Heidi Kolbeck-Urlacher
Pierre Review – Legislative session draws to a close
South Dakota’s legislative session has wrapped, with the final day of the 38-day session scheduled for March 31, which is designated for gubernatorial vetoes. A bill prohibiting the use of eminent...
  • Policy
Brown graphic that says "Field Notes 03.18.2025" "Iowa legislature focuses on floor debate" with an image of an envelope and a photo of a large building that's Iowa's statehouse
Cynthia Farmer
Field Notes – Iowa legislature focuses on floor debate
Following the first funnel of the 2025 Iowa legislative session, much of the work last week included floor debate of bills in both the House and Senate. This week appears to be on a similar path...
  • Policy
A soybean field with black and brown cows grazing in the background. Over the hills there are 5 white wind turbines.
Cora Hoffer
Agreements tied to southwest Minnesota wind projects provide community benefits
Rural communities are experiencing a surge in renewable energy development, bringing benefits such as increased tax revenues, new jobs, and local lease payments. In southwest Minnesota, additional...
  • Policy
Blue graphic that says "Minnesota Memo" and "03.14.2025" on the top, then "New budget forecast is $160 million lower than previously projected" with a photo of the Minnesota statehouse in the lower right hand corner, and an image of an envelope and a megaphone in the lower lefthand corner
Cora Hoffer
Minnesota Memo - New budget forecast is $160 million lower than previously projected
Today ends week nine of Minnesota’s legislative session. Since the last update, Minnesota’s budget agency has released the state’s budget forecast showing the projected general fund deficit for July 1...
  • Policy
Grey graphic that says "Nebraska Legislative Update" and "03.14.2025" on the top, then "Small business funding defended; priority bills emerge " with a photo of the Nebraska State Capitol building in the lower right hand corner, and an image of an envelope and a megaphone in the lower lefthand corner
Audra Espinoza
Prairie Beacon - Small business funding defended; priority bills emerge
Last week, the Center for Rural Affairs testified before the Appropriations Committee to defend the Business Innovation Act (BIA) against proposed budget cuts totaling $5 million, approximately one...
  • Policy
A wooden rack of an assortment of breads, wrapped in clear cellophane and brown parchment. This photo appears to be from a table at a farmers market.
Carlie Jonas
Center for Rural Affairs releases guidance for expanded cottage food laws in Nebraska
Foods made in a home-based kitchen are commonly referred to as “cottage foods” and have, in recent years, become a popular way for enterprising cooks to supplement their income or test out a food...
  • Policy
A dark-haired man wearing a black, brown, and grey checkered sweater looks at the camera in front of a building with a bright blue awning. The sign on the building says "90th Street Auto Center."
Liz Stewart
From towing to selling, small business owner finds success in working with vehicles
As a tow truck driver, Faustino Lopez Barcenas has gotten used to dealing with wrecked vehicles. However, he didn’t expect that towing one smashed-up car could lead to him operating his own auto sales business.
  • Lending
A dark-haired man wearing a black, brown, and grey checkered sweater looks at the camera in front of a building with a bright blue awning. The sign on the building says "90th Street Auto Center."
Liz Stewart
De remolcar a vender, propietario de una pequeña empresa encuentra éxito trabajando con vehículos
Como conductor de grúa, Faustino López Bárcenas se ha acostumbrado a lidiar con vehículos destrozados. Sin embargo, no esperaba que remolcar un automóvil destrozado lo llevaría a operar su propio negocio de venta de automóviles.
  • Lending
Man with short, brown hair and glasses stands in front of a grocery cooler wearing a black polo shirt and a red apron over it.
Brian Depew
Your support of the Center brings opportunity and belonging to rural people
I write today to thank our 2024 donors. Friends, your financial support of the Center’s work has been invaluable to the progress we’re making toward long-standing rural vibrancy. Your partnership...
  • Small Towns
An American flag waves, suspended from a street lamp on a small town Main Street. The sky is blue with fluffy, white clouds, and the street is lined with historic brick buildings.
Cora Hoffer
Federal funding uncertainties impacting rural communities
Every state benefits from federal resources and programs. Federal tax revenues finance public services like education, health care, infrastructure, economic growth, and disaster recovery services-all of which affect our daily lives.
  • Policy
Brown graphic that says "Field Notes 03.04.2025" "Updates on energy, community solar, rural grocery support, and more" with an image of an envelope and a photo of a large building that's Iowa's statehouse
Cynthia Farmer
Field Notes – First funnel week; rural grocery and local foods bill safe, energy bill in limbo
Seven weeks of the 2025 Iowa legislative session are behind us, and this week brings the first of two funnel deadlines. The funnels set limitations and narrow the focus as the legislative session...
  • Policy
Graphic that says "Pierre Review, 03.04.2025" on the top. Then "Legislators sprint as end of session nears" and on the bottom has an image of the statehouse in South Dakota.
Heidi Kolbeck-Urlacher
Pierre Review – Legislators sprint as end of session nears
Today is Day 31 of South Dakota’s 38-day legislative session. Legislators must now sprint to hear all remaining viable bills. March 10 is the last day for a bill or joint resolution to pass both...
  • Policy
Blue graphic that says "Minnesota Memo" and "02.28.2025" on the top, then "Fully functioning legislature is making progress" with a photo of the Minnesota statehouse in the lower right hand corner, and an image of an envelope and a megaphone in the lower lefthand corner
Cora Hoffer
Minnesota Memo - fully functioning legislature is making progress
Today marks the end of week seven of Minnesota’s legislative session. The Senate has wasted no time, with more than 2,000 bills introduced already. The House also continues to move along, with more...
  • Policy
Grey graphic that says "Nebraska Legislative Update" and "02.28.2025" on the top, then "SNAP legislation moves out of committee; budget hearings begin" with a photo of the Nebraska State Capitol building in the lower right hand corner, and an image of an envelope and a megaphone in the lower lefthand corner
Audra Espinoza
Prairie Beacon - SNAP legislation moves out of committee; budget hearings begin
Last week, the Health and Human Services Committee voted to move Legislative Bill (LB) 192 to general file, the first of three stages of debate a bill receives before the full Legislature. LB 192...
  • Policy
Picture of attendees at the 2024 Latina Women in Business Conference. They are all smiling, huddled around a young Latina women holding a vision board. She has long, dark hair, and smiles at the camera.
Center for Rural Affairs
Propietaria de un negocio alcanza el éxito con una visión enfocada y una mentalidad ganadora
Rocio Esparza sabe de primera mano que el éxito comienza con una mentalidad ganadora. Como agente de bienes raíces en Summit Real Estate, socia gerente en Esparza & Associates, contratista de pequeñas empresas con el Center for Rural Affairs y especialista y asesora en impuestos comerciales en Phillips I Cruise Tax and Business Services, Rocío ha construido una próspera carrera apoyando y empoderando a la comunidad hispana. Pasa sus días enseñando conocimientos financieros a propietarios de empresas y brindando asesoramiento personalizado para guiar a sus clientes mientras navegan por las complejidades de la planificación fiscal. Pero el camino hacia su realidad actual no fue fácil.
  • Lending