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.

While many Center for Rural Affairs' old-timers may not recognize the name Chris Roberts, she played a critical role in changing the direction of the Center in the late 1970s. Most of the work in the early 1970s focused on policy advocacy and muck-raking journalism. But Chris changed this—at least for me.
  • Small Towns
We are pleased to share an update on our priority legislation this session, Legislative Bill (LB) 1116, which would have created a grant or loan program for grocery and convenience stores in areas with limited grocery access to expand or improve fresh food options. While the bill did not advance out of the Agriculture Committee, last Monday Sen. Teresa Ibach introduced Legislative Resolution (LR) 374 to propose a related interim study.
  • Policy
Here in rural America, many of us see the benefits of supporting our local farmers and gardeners. It’s hard to top fresh food, and spending our hard-earned money locally contributes to the betterment of our communities as a whole. Unfortunately, as abundant as fresh food may be within our communities, it isn’t always within reach for some families.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
With attention now turned to the state budget, the Center for Rural Affairs needs your help urging legislators to pass House File (HF) 2599, which would establish the Iowa Grocer Reinvestment Fund and Program and the Local Produce Processing Fund and Program.
  • Policy
One of the goals included in Nebraska's Department of Environment and Energy's Priority Climate Action Plan recently submitted to the federal Environmental Protection Agency is to increase the use of regenerative agricultural practices in the state. The plan identifies "cover crops, no-till, and reduced reliance on chemical fertilizer" as important practices to improve soil health, which increases its ability to sequester carbon.
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
El conocimiento empresarial y la calidez de María Dolores Arias Villalpando la han ayudado a convertir su negocio, Laundry Mex, en Grand Island, Nebraska, en un lugar acogedor para los clientes y un próspero centro de negocios para sus inquilinos.
  • Lending
Maria Dolores Arias Villalpando’s business savvy and warm nature have helped her turn her business, Laundry Mex, in Grand Island, Nebraska, into a welcoming place for customers and a thriving business center for her tenants.
  • Lending
Ya sea que se trate de un giro estratégico o de un plan de jubilación, la decisión de vender una empresa requiere una cuidadosa consideración. Aunque muchos propietarios de pequeñas empresas confían en un plan de salida similar al de una sucesión familiar, ese no siempre es el camino ideal. A veces es mejor confiar el legado a alguien fuera del círculo familiar. En este artículo, el segundo de una serie de tres partes sobre transición empresarial, repasamos las etapas cruciales de la planificación de la sucesión cuando se trata de vender su empresa a una persona que no es miembro de la familia.
  • Lending
Whether it's a strategic pivot or a retirement plan, the decision to sell a business takes careful consideration. Although many small business owners rely on a family succession-style exit plan, that isn’t always the ideal path. Sometimes it’s best to trust the legacy to someone outside of the family circle. In this article, the second of a three-part series on business transition, we walk through the crucial stages of succession planning when it comes to selling your business to a non-family member.
  • Lending
A new farm bill is top of mind for many farmers, ranchers, and rural community members. However, amidst the ongoing discussions and negotiations, another important conversation is beginning to unfold. In the weeks ahead, members of Congress will outline federal spending levels for 2025, including funding for programs that impact agriculture and small businesses.
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
With a $9.48 million grant from the Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program, Montezuma, a town of 1,400 residents, is paving the way for rural communities and serving as a model for...
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Now is the time to celebrate all the powerful women the Center for Rural Affairs works with and all the efforts led by women in rural communities. The Center is committed to supporting and helping...
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
From volunteering in her church to donating homegrown fresh produce to her neighbors, Candi Benge demonstrates extraordinary commitment to serving her community every day. For her commitment to helping others, Candi has been chosen to receive the Center for Rural Affairs 2023 Rural Community Champion Award.
  • Small Towns
As we look ahead to what could only be four weeks remaining in the 2024 Iowa legislative session, the focus turns almost solely to floor debate in both chambers. Work for the Appropriations and Ways & Means committees continues full steam ahead this week. The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met on Friday, March 15.
  • Policy
No todo el mundo tiene la suerte de tener la oportunidad de hacer de su pasatiempo infantil una carrera de tiempo completo. Pero Cody Cahill ha trabajado en automóviles toda su vida y ahora le pagan por hacer lo que ama.
  • Lending
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to make their childhood hobby a full-time career. But Cody Cahill has been working on cars his whole life, and now he gets paid to do what he loves.
  • Lending
With 16 days left in the Nebraska Legislature’s 2024 session, the Center’s priority bill— Legislative Bill (LB) 1116, the Nebraska Grocer Reinvestment Option (GRO) Act—is not expected to advance out...
  • Policy
El Center for Rural Affairs es una organización sin fines de lucro que trabaja para crear comunidades rurales vibrantes. Abogamos por los residentes rurales en temas importantes para ellos, como políticas estatales y federales, programas de ley agrícola, desarrollo económico, energía limpia y compromiso cívico.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
The Center for Rural Affairs is a nonprofit organization working to create vibrant rural communities. We advocate for rural residents on issues important to them, such as state and federal policy, farm bill programs, economic development, clean energy, and civic engagement.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
The Heartland Environmental Justice Center (HEJC) is a first-stop resource for communities seeking help with pressing environmental and energy equity challenges. We offer no-cost, customized support...
  • Small Towns