Blog Posts & Stories

Drive around Iowa these days, and you're likely to see more evidence of solar power. Policy analysts say it gives the state's clean energy portfolio more strength. But along with the benefits comes a need for long-term planning.

Discussion and debate has always been a part of rural America. From coffee shops to the local co-op, rural residents aren’t afraid to show their loyalty for one candidate or another, share their thoughts on the issues of the day, and voice their distrust of the government. Sometimes opinions can spur disagreement and raise tensions. But, in the end, most of us will agree to disagree, shake hands, and go about our day.

Habiendo llamado hogar a las áreas rurales durante la mayor parte de su vida, Leonor ha descubierto que las relaciones y conexiones que ha construido han sido fundamentales en su crecimiento personal y profesional.

Having called rural areas home for most of her life, Leonor has found that the relationships and connections she’s built have been instrumental in her personal and professional growth.

This winter, military veterans will have an opportunity to translate hard-won skills on the battlefield into Nebraska's fields and pastures through "Putting the Pieces Together," a U.S. Department of Agriculture-backed program.

Ask any beginning farmer or rancher about the greatest challenge to starting an operation, and the most common answer is access to land and operational assets. A program aimed at helping new producers...

With a background in television journalism and a future in digital marketing, Carmen Montes is looking to use her skills to shine a light on the rural communities of Nebraska.

When Gris Grimly and his wife Lynnette moved from California to raise their kids in the slower-paced peace and quiet of Gris’ hometown of West Point, Nebraska, they noticed something missing in their new rural community: the arts.

Residential solar energy is booming. The Omaha Public Power District saw a 900% increase in applications for connecting residential and commercial solar systems over the past year. The dramatic...

​​​​​​​Congestion and access to the electric grid are keeping rural Minnesota from reaching its full potential in producing clean energy.

Food insecurity and access to fresh foods, such as unprocessed meat and produce, are real concerns for rural Nebraska. As we experience the increasing cost of living and continued closure of small town grocery stores an emphasis needs to be placed on supporting local food businesses over national chains.

Con las esperanzas de proveer un ambiente familiar y seguro con un currículo bilingüe, tres mujeres abren una guardería en South Sioux City.

With hopes of providing a safe home-like environment and bilingual curriculum, three women open a bilingual day care in South Sioux City.

By Kayla Bergman, former staff member As producers work to harvest their cash crops this fall, some will also be turning their attention to another. Cover crops, which can be a grass, legume, or...

As the demand for local foods grows, small- and mid-sized meat and poultry processors are looking to make investments to expand their capacity, create new markets for their product, and train the next generation of workers.

I come from a family with deep roots in north central Indiana. We have multiple generations on both sides of the family in that region, most recently Rochester and Flora. I was born and raised in West...

All farmers and ranchers need to manage risk, and federal crop insurance is one tool available to help them do so. At the Center for Rural Affairs, we believe operations of all types and sizes need to have information to make the best decisions for their success. For many years, this approach has led us to conduct educational outreach on crop insurance.

The Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe has demonstrated a long commitment to sustainability. In recent years, their Tribal government agreed that renewable energy and green infrastructure should be part of their sustainability efforts—and the progress shows.

Reducing their carbon footprint in the classroom doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming for educators. By taking small steps, such as recycling and reusing materials, teachers can create a climate-smart classroom that makes a lasting impact.

Patricia Pinto has had a number of setbacks—from hail to high temperatures to a derecho. But she’s not giving up on the farm she purchased in 2019. “Sometimes it’s hard to start a business,” Patricia said. “They usually tell you the first three years are the hardest ones, so I’m praying and hoping, and asking God for mercy that this year I am going to have my best crop ever.”