Blog Posts & Stories

The most recent farm bill establishes a roadmap for the cultivation of industrial hemp. Congress was right to loosen the restriction on growing this crop, a non-psychoactive relative of marijuana...

After years of debate, Nebraska lawmakers are narrowing in on a compromise bill to address rising property taxes, a move that could resolve a crisis facing many rural farmers and ranchers.

​​​​​​​Farmers are increasingly adopting renewable energy on their farms. According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, released on April 11, 2019, solar and geothermal energy systems on farms have increased significantly since the last Census in 2012.

Every five years (or so), Congress passes legislation that shapes the day-to-day living of rural Americans. This legislation is a complex bundle of various programs and policies more commonly referred to as the farm bill.

Liz Flores had a vision, a dream in a sense, to one day start her own bakery. A place where the smell and taste of fresh Mexican bread and rich, hot coffee would summon people of all walks.

Grants are available for Iowa farmers impacted by the recent flooding. The Center for Rural Affairs is partnering with Farm Aid and Iowa Farmers Union to provide grants up to $500. Individuals must be located in an area damaged by the recent flooding and must be farmers.

Our policy efforts speak rural values to the elected officials and government administrators in Washington, D.C. Since the 2018 farm bill passed in December, we followed progress on the shutdown...

Grand Island gardeners are expectantly watching the weather, waiting to get their hands dirty and plants in the ground. This will be the third growing season since the Center for Rural Affairs helped revitalize the community garden located next to the Third City Community Clinic in Grand Island, Nebraska, and 2019 might be the best year yet.

Rural Nebraskans recognize the value of the education, health care, and public safety services which their tax dollars provide. These are the services that underpin and help sustain our rural communities and residents.

Across the nation, six states have passed or proposed policies that serve as a clear rebuke of private property rights. In Utah, Nebraska, Georgia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Oklahoma, state lawmakers are framing expanded Right to Farm legislation as a litmus test in a divisive political environment. A vote against, we are told, is a vote against agriculture.

Iowans are being asked to use last month's catastrophic flooding as leverage to renew conversations about prevention and state water quality, since climate-change experts warn such incidents will become more frequent.

Our Unicameral Legislature gave first-round approval to Legislative Bill (LB) 227. An amendment to the “Right to Farm Act,” this bill is being sold as a litmus test in a divisive political environment. A vote against, we are told, is a vote against agriculture.

Recent and continued flooding along the Missouri River and throughout Iowa has revived discussion around water quality. Iowa’s history shows that natural disasters can be unifying moments on divisive issues. Following the 2008 floods in eastern Iowa, the Legislature took an interest in preventing flood damage.

We are more than six months removed from the election of our state legislators. While time has passed, voters have not forgotten the stumps on property tax relief that prompted their votes.

For decades, Iowa has rightfully taken pride in being a leader in clean energy nationally and in the Midwest. Iowa was the first state to establish a renewable portfolio standard in 1983. We produce some of the highest rates of wind energy per capita with roughly 37 percent of our electricity coming from wind.

The owners of La Flor, in Grand Island, Nebraska, strive to offer their customers only the healthiest foods. From grocery options like snacks, dairy, and fresh produce, to soaps and nonperishable items, the business is a full-service Mexican restaurant and market.

Conservation is a deeply held value for many of our supporters. This is why the Center for Rural Affairs engages on conservation policy such as programs managed by the Natural Resource Conservation...

The state of Iowa has a lot of water. In fact, the state contains more than two dozen rivers, including the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. For many years, state leaders have grappled with the question of how to improve the quality of Iowa’s waterways.

Farmers interested in enrolling in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) this year have until May 10 to submit initial paperwork to their local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) office...

A recently conducted Des Moines Register poll sought to understand where Iowa voters’ views on climate change are. The poll, conducted from March 3 to 6, 2019, surveyed 400 registered Iowa Republicans and 401 likely Iowa caucus-goers on various topics, including climate change.