News Releases

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.

Two hispanic women wearing black outfits stand in front of a classroom of more than 5 women sitting at desks. The woman on the left is holding a paper in her hand and pointing to it.
Conferencia para educadores de cuidado infantil programada para abril, ofrecida en español
GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA - Los emprendedores interesados ​​en iniciar o mejorar sus negocios de cuidado infantil están invitados a asistir a una conferencia gratuita presentada en español. La...
  • Lending
Two hispanic women wearing black outfits stand in front of a classroom of more than 5 women sitting at desks. The woman on the left is holding a paper in her hand and pointing to it.
Child care educators conference set for April, offered in Spanish
GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA - Entrepreneurs interested in starting or improving their child care businesses are invited to attend a free conference presented in Spanish. “Growing Together: Spanish Child...
  • Lending
Small town with a handful of bright green trees in the springtime. In the foreground is a field ready to be planted. In the middle of town is a water tower. You can see more fields on the other side of the town in the background.
Center calls on lawmakers to uphold federal contracts and obligations
LYONS, NEBRASKA – The Center for Rural Affairs calls on members of Congress to uphold federal funding obligations. Last month, President Trump ordered a federal spending freeze that halted payments...
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
Dark brick building with a glass enclosed entry way. Says "Center for Rural Affairs right under the metal roof overhang, with wildflowers and a windmill in the foreground
Rural advocates honored by Center for Rural Affairs
LYONS, NEBRASKA – The Center for Rural Affairs has announced recognition of outstanding people and entities in two states. “Each year, we honor the rural champions who help us accomplish so much for...
  • Small Towns
A field with green young soybeans in neat rows, and dead plants in between the rows
Informational webinar set to discuss reduced tillage and no-till practices
LYONS, NEBRASKA—Farmers interested in finding out if reduced tillage or no-till can benefit their operation are invited to a free online event hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs. This virtual...
  • Policy
Un hombre de tez morena, usando una camisa de manga corta color azul y pantalones de mezclilla revisa plantas en su huerto
Serie de talleres agrícolas se enfocará en la producción de hortalizas
PLYMOUTH Y DAVID CITY, NEBRASKA—Los agricultores interesados en iniciar una operación de producción de hortalizas están invitados a asistir a una serie de talleres que explorarán cómo construir una...
  • Farm and Food
A dark-skinned man wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt and jeans checks plants in his garden
Agriculture workshop series focuses on vegetable production
PLYMOUTH AND DAVID CITY, NEBRASKA—Farmers interested in starting a vegetable operation are invited to attend a series of workshops that will explore how to build a farm from the ground up. These free...
  • Farm and Food
Woman with long brown hair, wearing a black short sleeved shirt, holding a microphone, smiling toward the left of the photo
Center for Rural Affairs Women’s Business Center graduates national WBC of Excellence program
GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA – The Center for Rural Affairs Women’s Business Center has been recognized for graduating in the 2025 cohort of the National WBC of Excellence program offered by the Association...
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
A line of red apple trees with fruit on them, on green grass with a light blue skyline in the background
Agriculture workshop series for veterans focuses on U-Pick operations
LYONS, NEBRASKA – Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of on-farm and virtual workshops highlighting U-Pick farms. This course is free for active military service...
  • Farm and Food
Woman with mocha colored skin and black long hair smiles at the camera. Woman is wearing a brown T-shirt with a pink jacket over the shirt.
Steichen to serve small businesses in central and western Nebraska
GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA – Khushi Steichen has recently been hired to serve central and western Nebraska as a Center for Rural Affairs loan specialist. She works with new and existing small business...
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
A shelf with glass jars of jam and glass jars of a spice blend
Updated cottage food law expands opportunities for Nebraska’s food entrepreneurs
LYONS, NE—A recent revision to Nebraska’s cottage food law provides new guidance for individuals selling homemade food products. The updated law, which took effect in 2024, expands the types of foods...
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
Two long solar panels in a field with yellow coneflowers and other native grasses under a blue sky
New resource provides wind and solar decommissioning guidance to local officials
LYONS, NEBRASKA—As demand for renewable energy generation continues to grow, many local decision makers are responding by creating ordinances that govern how projects will be built, managed, and...
  • Policy
Aisle at a locally owned grocery store with shelves of food products on both sides of the aisle, and a meat counter at the front
Rural grocery store tour to take place in southwest Iowa
MALVERN, IOWA—Southwest Iowans interested in local foods and rural communities are invited to attend a bus tour showcasing rural grocery stores in the area. This free event is hosted by the Center for...
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
Man in jeans and a blue collared shirt walks away from the camera at the edge of a field, carrying a shovel.
January webinar offers insight into CRP land transition incentives
LYONS, NEBRASKA — Registration is now open for an informational webinar hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs that will explore the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program...
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
A small body of water with rocks in the foreground and trees lining the opposite shore
Environmental leaders honored nationwide
LYONS, NEBRASKA - Individuals from across the nation have been recognized by the third annual Environmental Leader Awards, an independent project administratively supported by the Center for Rural...
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
Woman with brown hair and glasses smiling at the camera, wearing a blue shirt and a necklace
Preston honored for service at Center for Rural Affairs
Kim Preston was recognized for 25 years of service with the Center for Rural Affairs at a recent staff gathering. Preston, now Lending Services director, has worked her entire career at the Center. She began as a policy assistant in the fall of 1999.
  • Lending
Booklet cover that says "Weathering the Unpredictable: The Protection Crop Insurance Provides"
Resources offer guidance for producers new to crop insurance
NEVADA, IOWA – Across the U.S., producers are facing unpredictable or extreme weather events which can cause financial difficulties. Risk management, in the form of crop insurance, can offer financial...
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
a distant view of a small town in the middle of brown harvested fields, with wind turbines dotting the hills above and behind the town
New energy siting resources to assist county zoning officials
LYONS, NE—The expansion of renewable energy generation sources like wind and solar has provided a variety of economic benefits and opportunities to rural communities. But as more renewable energy...
  • Policy
A group of 7 people standing in front of a white barn. The people range in age and gender and are wearing casual farm-visiting clothes like jeans and T-shirts.
Beginning farmers wanted for conservation fellowship
LYONS, NEBRASKA — Applications are now being accepted for the fourth cohort of the Center for Rural Affairs’ Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellowship program. Beginning farmers who want to deepen...
  • Farm and Food
Gravel road on the right of the photo, with a fence on the left of the photo, green grass in the ditch between
Iowa CSP, EQIP application deadline set for Nov. 22
NEVADA, IOWA – Iowa farmers interested in signing up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) have until Nov. 22 to submit initial paperwork...
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy