Blog Posts & Stories

Running a business is more than a job for Alberto Castillo; it’s a way of life. Not long after settling in Nebraska in 2006, Alberto had an unpleasant experience getting his taxes prepared. He decided to learn how to prepare his own taxes to avoid the same issues in the future.

Approximately 150,000 school-aged children throughout Nebraska face food insecurity. While Nebraska leaders have tried to address the issue in recent years by expanding eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to hundreds of additional families, further steps are necessary to ensure children in our state stay fed.

When Lori Liggett stumbled across the Center for Rural Affairs online, she was intrigued by the organization's work and purpose. She saw that the Center was hiring and knew she wanted to become part of the team.

Elle Worley returned to her mother's hometown of Dunning, Nebraska, and began working at her family’s operation, WM. Zutavern Cattle Co. Last year, she wanted to grow her agricultural skills beyond her backyard garden, so she expanded her garden into a small farm.

Today is Day 19 of South Dakota’s 38-day legislative session, which will conclude March 25. The last day for bill introductions was Feb. 1. Bills must pass out of their house of origin by Feb. 21...

We are four weeks into the 2024 Iowa legislative session. Bill introductions and committee and subcommittee meetings continue to keep lawmakers busy. In our last Field Notes, we introduced you to...

On Tuesday, Jan. 30, a hearing for Legislative Bill (LB) 1116 was held before the Agriculture Committee. This Center for Rural Affairs legislation, introduced by Sen. Teresa Ibach, would create a...

Significant snow, wind, and brutally cold temperatures impacted Nebraska in January. Given the frequency of extreme weather events experienced across the U.S. during the past several years, preparing for emergencies is an important consideration for utilities and regulators. Extreme weather events have an outsized impact on the electric grid and show the necessity of protecting its integrity and resiliency.

Crop insurance provides a safety net for farmers, protecting their operations from loss due to natural perils such as drought, frost, excess moisture, pest infestations, or disease.

From a potential client to a member of the Board of Directors, Krista Dittman has spent the past few decades getting to know the Center for Rural Affairs. She started on the board in 2018, but she had...

Progress is shaping up as lawmakers work their way through the third week of Iowa’s legislative session. Individual senators and representatives were busy introducing legislation of their own through...

Today is Day 10 of South Dakota’s 38-day legislative session, which will conclude March 25. The session got off to a quick start this year with bills coming up for hearings on Legislative Day 3. All...

Across the country, lawmakers are gathering in their respective state capitols and Washington, D.C. to begin another year of debating and passing legislation. The democratic process is something...

Wednesday marked the end of bill introduction in the Nebraska Legislature. Senators introduced 521 new bills during the 10-day period, and hearings will begin next week. Among the bills introduced is...

Several years ago, Amarah Wright started down the path toward opening her own apothecary and nursery. She had no idea that, along the way, she’d also begin a journey in farming and conservation. She says everything she does is informed by nature, and she plans to continue with that mindset.

Cuando María Dolores Arias Villalpando comenzó a trabajar en Laundry Mex, LLC, en Grand Island, Nebraska, no tenía idea de que eventualmente sería dueña del negocio. Además de convertirse en propietaria de un negocio, María también heredó las responsabilidades de administradora de propiedades, lo que le ha brindado oportunidades para ayudar a otros empresarios.

When Maria Dolores Arias Villalpando started working at Laundry Mex, LLC, in Grand Island, Nebraska, she had no idea she’d eventually own the business. Along with becoming a business owner, Maria also inherited the responsibilities of a property manager, which has presented her with opportunities to help other entrepreneurs.

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.

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.

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.