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.
Jessi Chandler Mason said she and her husband Andrew “took a leap of faith” when they purchased the small grocery store in her hometown of Anselmo two years ago.
- Small Towns
- Policy
While the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act offers an unprecedented amount of funding to rural communities for infrastructure, energy, and conservation projects, applying for the grants can be challenging.
- Small Towns
The Center for Rural Affairs is among more than 30 partners working together to increase business development assistance to small, mid-size, and diverse food and farm entrepreneurs in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas.
- Farm and Food
The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking participants for its new Conservation Mentorship Network, a program designed to foster peer-to-peer education among farmers and ranchers and increase the number of conservation practices adopted across Nebraska.
- Farm and Food
A bill introduced this week in the Iowa Senate seeks to provide resources to small grocery store owners fighting to keep their stores open amidst economic and workforce challenges and competition from big box retailers.
- Policy
Legislation introduced Jan. 10 in the Nebraska Legislature seeks to provide resources to small grocery store owners fighting to keep their stores open amidst economic and workforce challenges and competition from big box retailers.
- Policy
The Center for Rural Affairs applauds the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s (NDA) continued efforts to support the state’s small- and medium-sized meat processors with its announcement of a second round of grant funding through the Independent Processor Assistance Program.
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Two additional gatherings for southwest Iowa food producers and others interested in local foods have been scheduled for January. The free networking and socializing events are hosted by Golden Hills RC&D and the Center for Rural Affairs.
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of on-farm and virtual workshops highlighting farm stores, onsite and off. This course is free for active military service members and military veterans.
- Farm and Food
Southwest Iowans interested in increasing access to local foods in their towns are invited to a half-day workshop on local food resources, leadership, and community engagement. This free event is hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and Golden Hills RC&D.
- Farm and Food
Nebraska producers interested in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) or Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) have a unique opportunity to apply through a new process called ACT NOW.
- Farm and Food
- Policy
This year, Iowa farmers planted cover crops on thousands of acres to improve soil health, protect their land from erosion, and more. Many of these producers are now eligible for a $5 per acre discount on their crop insurance. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 26.
- Farm and Food
- Policy
As rural hospitals in Nebraska continue to face financial challenges, a new licensure designation could help keep the doors open at facilities on the brink of closing, according to a new white paper released today by the Center for Rural Affairs.
- Policy
Southwest Iowa food producers and others interested in local foods are invited to attend networking and socializing events in December and January. These free sessions are hosted by Golden Hills RC&D and the Center for Rural Affairs.
- Farm and Food
AVOCA, IOWA – Southwest Iowans eager to explore local foods are invited to attend a one-day summit including educational sessions from regional speakers, featured businesses along Avoca’s Main Street...
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
In 1973, a group of rural Nebraskans came together with a shared passion. Concerned about the loss of economic opportunity in agriculture and the decline of rural communities, they founded the Center for Rural Affairs.
- Lending
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
- Policy
In 1973, a group of rural Nebraskans came together with a passion. They knew if they wanted federal policy to work for rural Americans, they had to raise their voice. Today, the Center for Rural...
- Lending
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
- Policy
Nebraska farmers and ranchers interested in popular conservation programs have until Nov. 17 to submit their initial paperwork. The Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program provide financial and technical assistance to producers who are interested in implementing conservation practices while maintaining agricultural production.
- Farm and Food
- Policy
The deadline for South Dakota farmers and ranchers to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Nov. 3. The...
- Policy
Members of Congress continue to show bipartisan support for rural small businesses as they prepare to debate the nation’s next farm bill. Last week, U.S. Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act of 2023. The legislation extends and enhances the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.
- Policy
