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.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for IPAP grants until Feb. 16. Eligible processors may apply for up to $100,000 and must operate as either a U.S. Department of Agriculture-Food Safety and Inspection Service facility or a federally regulated custom-exempt slaughter and processing facility.
  • Farm and Food
Los impuestos de ventas pueden ser un tema complicado de abordar, pero no es necesario que lo haga solo. En este artículo, analizaremos las normas y regulaciones del impuesto de ventas, responderemos algunas de las preguntas más frecuentes y le brindaremos recursos para ayudarlo a seguir adelante con confianza.
  • Lending
Sales tax can be a tricky subject to navigate, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this article, we’ll dissect sales tax rules and regulations, answer some of the most commonly asked questions, and provide you with resources to help you forge ahead with confidence.
  • Lending
After spending time working in the corporate world, Edgar Romero Gonzalez grew tired of feeling insignificant, like his only purpose was making money for his employer. He wanted to do something more; he wanted to make an impact. He felt farming was something meaningful to which he could dedicate his time.
  • Farm and Food
Today, Tuesday, Jan. 9, marks the first day of the 2024 South Dakota legislative session. The Center for Rural Affairs will be tracking policies that affect the rural quality of life and intersect with our goal of building vibrant rural communities.
  • Policy
One of the inaugural projects of the Center for Rural Affairs was the Small Farm Energy Project. It sought to demonstrate that the adoption of alternative energy technologies by small family farms can make positive contributions to their incomes.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Dozens of Microenterprise Development Organizations from 28 states, including Nebraska's Center for Rural Affairs, have signed a letter urging Congress to support the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
The Center for Rural Affairs recently submitted a $100 million proposal to the Environmental Protection Agency's Solar for All grant competition. The Solar for All program is one component of the...
  • Lending
Elected representatives in Iowa will debate a host of issues during the 2024 legislative session, including energy and environment, family and economic security, and water quality. Relevant...
  • Policy
Elected representatives in Nebraska will debate a host of issues during the 2024 legislative session, including the budget and taxes, economic development, energy and environment, family and economic...
  • Policy
The last day of 2023 is here. We present our most viewed blog post of the year, where we highlight Ryan Vogel who returned to his family farm. Ryan is using a cost-share through the Conservation...
  • Farm and Food
In our second highest viewed post of 2023, we feature one of our Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellows. A group of eight work to incorporate conservation methods with a final project. James Keeley...
  • Farm and Food
Today, we share number three in our top five blog posts countdown, a story about a military veteran who, in his retirement, is enjoying a second career of agriculture at his home near Douglas...
  • Farm and Food
The year in review countdown continues with a blog featuring a grocery store owner who came across an old building with a sense of nostalgia. Coming in at number four is a blog on Alejandro Macias...
  • Lending
Welcome to the end-of-year countdown. To celebrate the end of 2023 and the new year, we are taking a look at the top blogs of the year. Starting today through Dec. 31, we'll review the five best...
  • Lending
As 2023 wraps up and the Center for Rural Affairs’ 50-year anniversary winds down, be sure to check out our special video commemorating our past, present, and future. The video is below and you can...
  • Small Towns
Board Member Barbara Dilly, of Shellrock, Iowa, was inspired by the Center for Rural Affairs' 50 years and wrote a song. A big thank you to the Root Marm Chicken Farm Jug Band for writing music to go along with these lyrics.
  • Small Towns
En el ajetreo y el bullicio de la temporada navideña, es importante apartar algo de tiempo para cuadrar las finanzas de fin de año de su negocio. Tenemos algunos excelentes consejos que le ayudarán a preparar su pequeño negocio para un nuevo año exitoso y resiliente.
  • Lending
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s important to remember to set aside some time to square away your business’s year-end finances. We’ve got some great tips to help set your small business up for a successful and resilient new year.
  • Lending
The expansion of wind generation has been, and continues to be, a boon for rural development. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the nation. Several Midwest states, including Nebraska, are leading the charge in its development, according to recent reports from the U.S. Department of Energy.
  • Policy