We are committed to keeping the issues facing rural America in the news media. Here you'll find news on the work we do on public policy, farming and ranching, small businesses, and rural communities.
LYONS, NEBRASKA – On Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, the Center for Rural Affairs received a formal notice of termination from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its $62.4 million Solar for...
- Lending
LYONS, NEBRASKA – McCook native Katie (Harr) Joseph has been hired to serve as general counsel with the Center for Rural Affairs. This newly created role is designed to support the Center’s expanding...
- Small Towns
New Center for Rural Affairs resource examines Minnesota wind energy: growth, gaps, and rural impact
LYONS, NEBRASKA — Wind energy has a long-standing presence in Minnesota, with the state’s first project becoming operational in 1994. Since then the state has capitalized on its abundant wind...
- Policy
LYONS, NEBRASKA — As solar energy projects continue to grow across the U.S., a fact sheet from the Center for Rural Affairs outlines how new development can be designed to protect soil health, reduce...
- Policy
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service announced its intent to terminate a national program to support the development of small farms, local...
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
NEVADA, IOWA– Rural economic development comes in many forms, however, in Iowa wind energy is a dominant presence and Adair County is a great example of that. Adair County contributes to Iowa’s status...
- Policy
ELSIE, NEBRASKA - Farmers interested in learning about soil health principles and their impact are invited to a free field day featuring Elsie-area farmer Vance McCoy. The event, hosted by the Center...
- Policy
NEVADA, IOWA – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that help producers incorporate conservation practices into their farm and ranch operations are popular with producers in Iowa. A new...
- Policy
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Randy Wattermann, of Lyons, has been hired to serve as chief lending officer with the Center for Rural Affairs. Wattermann’s background includes consulting with Community Development...
- Lending
A new guide from the Center for Rural Affairs equips Spanish-speaking Nebraskans with information on earning a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The “Nebraska Commercial Driver’s License Resource Guide” offers a step-by-step overview of the state’s CDL process and provides information on how to access translated resources. Before this publication, a Spanish-language CDL guide did not exist for Nebraska drivers.
- Lending
LYONS, NEBRASKA — Una nueva guía del Center for Rural Affairs ofrece a los residentes hispanohablantes de Nebraska información esencial para obtener una Licencia Comercial para Conducir (CDL, por sus siglas en inglés). La "Guía de Recursos para la Licencia Comercial para Conducir en Nebraska" proporciona una visión general paso a paso del proceso para obtener la CDL en el estado y ofrece información sobre cómo acceder a recursos traducidos. Antes de esta publicación, no existía una guía en español sobre CDL para conductores en Nebraska.
- Lending
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Nine Nebraska producers have been selected for the fourth cohort of the Center for Rural Affairs’ Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellowship. The program explores conservation...
- Farm and Food
LYONS, NEBRASKA—El Center for Rural Affairs está buscando productores de alimentos en el centro de Nebraska que quieran vender alimentos producidos localmente. El Centro cuenta con casi $150,000...
- Farm and Food
LYONS, NEBRASKA—The Center for Rural Affairs is looking for food producers in central Nebraska who want to sell locally produced food. The Center has nearly $150,000 available to buy food from local...
- Farm and Food
LYONS, NEBRASKA — As solar energy expands across agricultural land, dual-use solar is emerging as a practice to optimize land use. A dual-use solar approach known as cattle voltaics integrates cattle...
- Policy
SOUTHWEST IOWA—Residents and farmers in southwest Iowa interested in local foods and rural communities are invited to take part in upcoming community conversations. These free events are hosted by the...
- Farm and Food
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Nebraskans spend more than $5 billion per year buying food that is sourced from outside of the state. A report released today indicates this loss of economic potential is driving a...
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
NEVADA, IOWA—Wind energy was introduced in Iowa in the early 2000s, and many counties have since benefited from that development, including Howard County. To study the impact on Howard County, Center...
- Policy
As the demand for solar energy continues, marginal agricultural land can host solar projects. Released today, a fact sheet from the Center for Rural Affairs explores “Opportunities for Solar Energy on Marginal Agricultural Lands.”
- Policy
LYONS, NEBRASKA—Farmers interested in finding out if cover crops can benefit their operation are invited to a free online webinar hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs. This virtual event will help...
- Farm and Food
- Policy
