Blog Posts & Stories

More than just a day spa, the mission of Rosa Maria Brooks’ business is to help people create and maintain an optimal lifestyle, supporting, inspiring, and encouraging through therapeutic massage and...

Al frente de la crisis de salud pública debido al coronavirus, el congreso aprobó un paquete de estímulo económico el viernes 27 de marzo, llamado el Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. La ley proporciona niveles sin precedentes de fondos de ayuda a individuos e industrias, incluyendo una variedad de apoyos para la agricultura.

In the face of our public health crisis due to the coronavirus, Congress passed a stimulus package on March 27—The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act—which provides unprecedented levels of aid funds to individuals and industries, including a variety of supports for agriculture.

Agriculturists are no strangers to challenging times. Be it floods or droughts, labor or labeling, farmers and ranchers face fresh battles daily, and they become masters of adapting as they ride out...

Like in much of rural Nebraska, residents in the Cedar Bluffs school district, particularly farm land owners, have been tremendously strained by combined forces of rising agricultural land values, low commodity prices, and imbalanced state funding for public education.

Lunch special? Thirsty Thursdays? With the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses, more than ever, need to continue with a marketing strategy and plan. Why? It’s a vital part to maintain steady sales to stay afloat during these uncertain times. With limited capabilities, both the small food service business and bars are two of the most impacted businesses by COVID-19.

​​​​​​​Battling a tough farm economy and increasingly unpredictable weather, farmers are often looking for ways to reduce costs on their operations.

Recently, the Center for Rural Affairs outlined our appropriations priorities for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program in a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate...

Rural communities are showcasing resiliency by ensuring kids are fed during widespread school closures caused by the coronavirus. In my hometown of West Point, Nebraska, the schools have closed for...

On March 16, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nebraska Legislature postponed its 2020 session until it is safe and necessary to call members back. The Legislature did reconvene on Monday after Speaker Jim Scheer announced last week that senators will meet for three legislative days for the sole purpose of addressing needs arising from the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Nebraska. LB 1198, which was amended to provide $83.6 million in emergency funding, advanced to final reading on a unanimous vote.

As you are probably aware, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iowa Legislature has suspended its session until April 15 to combat the spread of the virus. While we will not be tracking any legislation or sending out our regular legislative updates, Center staff will be available as a resource to you during this time of uncertainty.

​​​​​​​As each of us continues to adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has become abundantly clear—taking care of our community is a crucial component of our way of life in rural Iowa.

As each of us continues to adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has become abundantly clear—taking care of our community is a crucial component of our way of life in rural Nebraska. We continue to hear stories of neighbors helping neighbors and families pitching in to lend a helping hand. This unprecedented situation has created real economic hardships for many rural Nebraskans, leaving many of us searching for ways to help out.

The Center for Rural Affairs is committed to helping our local business partners cope with the economic impact of COVID-19. It’s part of our mission to build prosperous, healthy, and inclusive...

Please join the Center for Rural Affairs as we embark on the Food Solutions New England 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge together.

​​​​​​​I showed up a few minutes early for lunch to explore the one-and-a-half block downtown area of Edgerton, Minnesota. Despite the modest population of about 1,100, it is known for a few things—the traditional bakery, unique shops, and Dutch heritage.

After a lengthy fight during the 2019 Iowa legislative session, a unique coalition of agriculture and environmental groups joined forces with MidAmerican Energy, the state’s largest investor-owned utility, to negotiate a consensus agreement to expand solar energy in Iowa.

After a lengthy fight during the 2019 Iowa legislative session, a unique coalition of agriculture and environmental groups joined forces with MidAmerican Energy, the state’s largest investor-owned utility, to negotiate a consensus agreement to expand solar energy in Iowa.

At the Center for Rural Affairs, we make around 100 loans per year to small rural businesses in our home state of Nebraska. We recently launched a new online lending platform to help our clients...

The Center for Rural Affairs is committed to continuing our work for opportunity and justice for everyone in rural America during the rapidly evolving response to the Coronavirus. COVID-19 and the...