Niobrara Nebraska from nearby hill

Blog Posts & Stories

What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.

​​​​​​​Elected representatives in Nebraska will debate a host of issues during the 2020 legislative session, including economic development, budget and tax, health care, energy and environment, and food and agriculture.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
At the Center for Rural Affairs, we are deeply engaged on the farm bill because of the enormous impact it has on rural communities. This is particularly true for conservation programs. Even though...
  • Farm and Food
The Pew Research Center finds that only 63 percent of rural Americans have a broadband internet connection at home, and 24 percent of rural adults consider access to high speed internet a major problem in their local community. Recent policy developments are designed to address this. But, will they be enough?
  • Small Towns
It's official! The first day of 2020 is here. What better way to kick it off than with a look at our most viewed post in 2019, authored by Liz Daehnke and Cora Fox. This piece takes a look...
  • Farm and Food
In our second highest viewed post of 2019, we feature a useful tool for all rural Americans. Across the nation, internet service providers report service information twice every year to the Federal...
  • Small Towns
Today, we share number three in our top five posts countdown, a blog asking Nebraska senators to support a bill that would allow cottage industry products, such as locally-produced jams, jellies...
  • Small Towns
The year in review countdown continues with a blog featuring one of our own staff members and the steps she is taking to be an even better leader in her community. Coming in at number four is a blog...
  • Small Towns
Countdown time! With less than one week remaining in 2019, a recap is in order. Starting today through the end of the year, we'll review the five best Center stories of the year, chosen by the most...
  • Policy
  • Farm and Food
Small food and arts-based businesses were offered tools needed to be successful in growing their businesses at the first-ever Food + Art Conference in Pender, Nebraska. The event was hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs in October.
  • Small Towns
On Nov. 12, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced changes to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the nation’s largest conservation program. A public comment period is now underway, and we encourage you to submit a comment on the changes, especially if you have held or applied for a CSP contract.
  • Farm and Food
Children spend a significant portion of their days in school for most of the calendar year, and public health advocates are concerned that too many are not drinking enough water, which can lead to a host of negative issues.
  • Policy
Farmers who want to weigh-in on changes to the nation's Conservation Stewardship Program have five weeks to submit comments to the United States Department of Agriculture.
  • Farm and Food
The Center has long focused on strategies to support economic vitality for small communities. Our work to assist small businesses, develop value-added agriculture, and improve policy all focus on...
  • Small Towns
The Center for Rural Affairs strives to help create vibrant, rural communities through its work. But, what does that mean to those who live outside of rural America? Recently, Center for Rural Affairs...
  • Small Towns
​​​​​​​Each day, 29 million students participate in the national school lunch program. The Nebraska Food Council is urging Congress to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, with inclusion of the Farm to School Act and Kids Eat Local Act, to bring responsible food choices into schools.
  • Small Towns
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released the interim final rule for its Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
  • Farm and Food
Knowledge of numbers, a passion for teamwork, and a love of rural living make Shawn Vetick perfectly suited for her role as accounting assistant with the Center for Rural Affairs. The Nebraska native...
  • Small Towns
Being a florist focused on sustainability in the face of our changing climate may be difficult, but Mediapolis, Iowa, mother-daughter duo Meredith and Jen Hinson do just that.
  • Policy
This August, Ana Gonzalez was among 60 of her peers who heard from Latino business leaders on marketing, leadership, business planning, and legal requirements for small businesses.
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
We’re kicking off our Giving Tuesday fundraising drive. An anonymous donor has pledged to match up to $15,000 in donations we receive in the next week. Will you give now to help us meet this challenge...
  • Small Towns