What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.
From the pastures of central Nebraska to the halls of the Unicameral, Al Davis has been connected to the Center’s work for more than 50 years. A rancher from Hyannis, Nebraska, who also has interest...
- Small Towns
A Nebraska native, Ben Jewell has a vision for his home state: He wants to help revitalize rural communities through local food. Ben has dedicated more than a decade to strengthening local and...
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
Rural communities looking to improve electricity reliability and affordability may be eligible for support through the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP). The program, offered through...
- Policy
In Minnesota, aging transmission infrastructure has been battered by severe weather, including windstorms, tornadoes, and extreme winter events. Rising electricity demand is pushing the system even further.
- Policy
For Greg Keller, the decision to adopt conservation practices on his 1,000-acre farm near Monroe, Nebraska, in central Nebraska, was born out of a pragmatic struggle against erosion. Faced with...
- Policy
Huda Hirsi has long dreamed of living in a safe place and working to support her loved ones. With sponsorship from her sister, Huda and her family were able to come to the U.S. from Somalia in 2007. The refugees began their life in the U.S. in Maine. Huda struggled to find a job because of the language barrier, but it didn’t stop her from getting involved in the community.
- Lending
Huda Hirsi siempre ha soñado con vivir en un lugar seguro y trabajar para apoyar a sus seres queridos. Gracias al patrocinio de su hermana, Huda y su familia pudieron llegar a los Estados Unidos desde Somalia en 2007. Como refugiados, comenzaron su nueva vida en los Estados Unidos en Maine. Huda enfrentó dificultades para encontrar trabajo debido a la barrera del idioma, pero eso no le impidió involucrarse en su comunidad.
- Lending
Farmers, ranchers, and landowners are invited to participate in a new survey exploring how federal program and policy changes are affecting their operations. Since early 2025, the federal...
- Policy
Legislators continue to work hard to pass bills before session ends on May 18. With a split House and near split Senate, bipartisan support is crucial to push legislation past the finish line.
- Policy
Los últimos cinco años han estado llenos de oportunidades emocionantes para Tony y Amber Ellsworth, propietarios de Ellsworth Crossing, en Waterloo, Nebraska. Con apoyo financiero del Center for Rural Affairs, la pareja pudo adquirir un negocio existente e inaugurar Ellsworth Crossing, un “mercado de la granja a la mesa”, en septiembre de 2021.
- Lending
- Small Towns
The past five years have been full of exciting opportunities for Tony and Amber Ellsworth, owners of Ellsworth Crossing, in Waterloo, Nebraska. With financial assistance from the Center for Rural Affairs, the couple was able purchase an existing business and open Ellsworth Crossing, a “farm-to-fork market,” in September 2021.
- Lending
- Small Towns
Across southeast Nebraska, grocery stores are doing far more than stocking shelves. During a grocery tour in April, Center for Rural Affairs staff, community members, and grocery store owners came together to visit stores, walk through day-to-day operations, and talk honestly about what it takes to keep these businesses going.
- Lending
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Shawn Schroyer tiene un currículum impresionante. No solo ha trabajado en un automóvil que perteneció a Elvis Presley, sino que también posee un conjunto de habilidades tan especializado que clientes de todo el país han viajado hasta zonas rurales de Nebraska para aprovechar su experiencia.
- Lending
Shawn Schroyer has an impressive resume. Not only has he worked on a car that belonged to Elvis Presley, he also has a skill set rare enough that customers have traveled to rural Nebraska from all across the country for his expertise.
- Lending
Across the country, farmers, landowners, and rural communities are taking a closer look at how solar development can work alongside agriculture instead of competing with it. Agrivoltaics, or dual-use...
- Policy
En el corazón de Grand Island, Nebraska, hay un hogar donde las risas de los niños, el aprendizaje y el amor se convierten en la base de un negocio con propósito. Detrás de ese espacio está María Rosa Delgado Veobides, una mujer inmigrante que transformó la necesidad en una misión de vida: cuidar, educar y acompañar a la niñez de su comunidad.
- Lending
- Small Towns
At the heart of Grand Island, Nebraska, lies a home where children's laughter, learning, and love form the foundation of a business with purpose. Behind this space stands María Rosa Delgado Veobides, a woman who transformed necessity into a life's mission: to care for, educate, and nurture the children of her community.
- Lending
- Small Towns
After nearly 35 hours of continuous work, Iowa legislators adjourned the 2026 legislative session on Sunday, May 3. This year, 1,790 bills were introduced, and 146 (8.1%) passed both chambers and were sent to the Governor for her signature. Gov. Reynolds has until Tuesday, June 2, to sign or veto legislation.
- Policy
My mother-in-law, Ramona, came to the U.S. as a very young woman with one young child, another on the way, and no assets. A Mexican immigrant from rural Meoqui, Chihuahua, she struggled and sacrificed...
- Policy
On April 30, the House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, moving the nation and rural communities one step closer to a new farm bill.
- Policy
