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Stephanie Bertagnoli once said she would never move back to Nebraska. After growing up on a conventional farm in Utica she left for Colorado Christian University near Denver, where she met her husband Tim, a “city boy.” She thought that’s where they would stay, until one day when she was driving home to Nebraska during calving season.
- Farm and Food
It's here! The #1 report in our countdown of the Top 10 Rural Research Reports. It would be hard to overstate the importance of this early research to the Center for Rural Affairs. The report foretold the future of livestock production, not just in Nebraska, but nationwide.
- Farm and Food
Rural people sell themselves short when it comes to the art and culture that exists in our communities. Too often we head to the city to take in our fill of culture. Last year I visited a rural arts...
- Small Towns
A few weeks ago, a colleague asked me why Latino micro entrepreneurs focus on retail or construction businesses instead of developing other ideas. As a loan specialist who works directly with Latino businesses, my immediate thought was, I see more than retail.
- Lending
In the next-to-last post from our Top 10 Rural Research Reports countdown, we are standing on the shoulders of giants. Today's Throwback Thursday (#tbt) report showed how practical on-farm research should be done. And in the doing, it planted leadership seeds of the national sustainable agriculture movement.
- Policy
- Farm and Food
About a year ago, I wrote about the Minnesota-Iowa transmission line. It's one of several projects in the Midwest to improve the electric grid and provide new inroads for renewable energy.
- Policy
By Sarah Smith, former staff member October is here and so begins National Farm to School Month. The National Farm to School Network seeks to empower children and their families to make healthy food...
- Small Towns
Women-owned businesses are gaining economic impact and clout. That’s the message Kim Preston (REAP administrative assistant) and I heard at the Women’s Business Center National Conference in El Paso, Texas.
- Lending
Investments in early education from birth to 5 years old, particularly for disadvantaged children, have numerous economic and social benefits. They reduce economic inequality.
- Small Towns
Jon Bailey is something of a legend at the Center for Rural Affairs when it comes to research. He may have written his best words in this report. It put the spotlight directly on poverty in a neglected part of the country - right here in the nation's bread basket.
- Small Towns
This summer, agrochemical, biotechnology, and seed giant Monsanto revealed an interest in acquiring their Switzerland-based competitor Syngenta. Initial merger serenades were sternly rebuffed by Syngenta, and Monsanto’s interest turned into a $46.5 billion hostile takeover.
- Farm and Food
“Payday loans” are short-term, high interest loans that take a heavy toll on the unsuspecting, and should be avoided. The main problem is the sinister combination of upfront fees and interest rates, which are very high - typically 300% to 400% per year.
- Lending
When you hear the words “farm to school,” what comes to your mind? Do you think of a farmer taking a bushel of freshly picked vegetables to a school kitchen? Crates of individual milk bags headed to students for their morning breakfast, and packaged on a dairy farm just 48 hours ago?
- Small Towns
The Center for Rural Affairs has focused on beginning farmers since 1990, when we analyzed the changing age of farmers. In 2009 we noticed an increasing number of inquiries from military veterans...
- Farm and Food
From our Top 10 Rural Research Reports, we recount a special series we ran on small, rural schools. It’s an A+ in our #tbt countdown.
- Small Towns
Take on two new life adventures at the same time? Sure, why not! Connie and Roger Kirkpatrick were married on Friday July 3, 2009. On Monday, July 6, they signed the papers for a REAP loan to purchase equipment for their new business, RCK Creations & More.
- Lending
October is National Farm to School month, and the enthusiasm is sweeping the nation. Here in Nebraska, we often talk about farm to school being a win-win-win for all: students, farmers, and communities.
- Small Towns
Number 5 in our countdown of the Center for Rural Affairs Top 10 Rural Research Reports is not for the faint of heart. This week the Throwback Thursday report is Swept Away: Chronic Harship and Fresh Promise on the Rural Great Plains, from 2003.
- Farm and Food
This fall the Center for Rural Affairs will partner with the Nebraska Indian Community College to bring together farmers, community members, students, and instructors to raise awareness of, monitor...
- Policy
School Name: Aurora Public School School Address: 300 L St, Aurora, NE 68818 Who is on your school’s internal Farm to School team? Food Service Director, Denise Bone who is beginning to partner with...
- Small Towns
