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.

Managing risk is an essential part of a successful agricultural operation, and crop insurance is one way for farmers and ranchers to do so. However, for some specialized operations crop insurance choices are not always clear. Two new resources from the Center for Rural Affairs describe coverage options available for small and organic operations—the Micro Farm program and Contract Price Option, respectively.
  • Farm and Food
The open space of rural areas are often well-suited for wind energy production and thanks to the tax revenue generated, the industry is contributing to economic resiliency of rural Minnesota. A new report from the Center for Rural Affairs—“Industry on the Prairie: Minnesota Wind Energy Production Tax Impact Studies”— examines how some rural counties are using the revenue to benefit residents.
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
After months of gathering feedback from farm and rural leaders across the Midwest, the Center for Rural Affairs has released its 2023 farm bill platform. The platform outlines opportunities for improvement within working lands conservation, access to USDA programs, crop insurance, rural entrepreneurship, and small meat processing.
  • Farm and Food
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
SOUTH DAKOTA – The deadline for South Dakota producers to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Dec. 9...
  • Policy
  • Farm and Food
Minnesota farmers interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) need to submit initial paperwork by Nov. 18. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), EQIP provides financial and technical assistance for producers interested in implementing conservation in their operation while maintaining agricultural production.
  • Policy
  • Farm and Food
For farmers across the nation, implementing conservation practices into existing row-crop operations has played a key role in maintaining healthy agricultural soils.
  • Policy
  • Farm and Food
Small-scale meat processors seeking support through Iowa’s Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Fund can now apply for grant funding. The first step in the application process—a pre-application assessment—is due Nov. 28.
  • Lending
  • Farm and Food
Participants for the 2022 Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellowship Program have been announced by the Center for Rural Affairs, in partnership with Big Muddy Urban Farm, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, and Metropolitan Community College Culinary, Hospitality, and Horticulture.
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
The deadline for Nebraska producers to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Nov. 18. CSP and EQIP are working lands programs that allow farmers and ranchers to address natural resource priorities while maintaining agricultural production.
  • Policy
  • Farm and Food
A Nebraska school greenhouse demonstrating excellence in food production and exemplary education will receive the second Greenhouse to Cafeteria Award early next year, presented by the Center for Rural Affairs, in collaboration with Nebraska FFA.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
Efforts to improve and expand Nebraska’s meat processing capabilities got a boost Monday as the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced its first round of grant funding through the Independent Processor Assistance Program (IPAP).
  • Lending
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
The deadline for Iowa farmers to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Oct.7. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), CSP and EQIP provide financial and technical assistance for producers interested in addressing natural resource priorities in their operations.
  • Policy
  • Farm and Food
In a win for producers across the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency recently announced changes to two crop insurance programs—Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm. The improvements will expand access to risk management options for thousands of producers, particularly those with small or diversified operations.
  • Farm and Food
With drought conditions posing a significant threat to Iowa’s agriculture industry and rural communities continuing to experience the aftermath of recent extreme weather events, the Center for Rural Affairs is asking Iowa lawmakers to take action.
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
In a win for rural communities, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 on Friday. Included in the package is funding for working lands conservation and investments in clean energy for rural communities.
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
From direct payments to landowners who host sites to employment opportunities during construction and operation of the systems, wind and solar development bring numerous economic benefits to rural Minnesota counties and communities.
  • Policy
In its continued efforts to advocate for increasing access to conservation programs, the Center for Rural Affairs is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to move more funds into the hands of farmers and ranchers.
  • Farm and Food
As more companies, municipalities, states, and utilities set clean energy goals, the demand for renewable energy will continue to increase.
  • Policy
Farmers interested in learning more about cover crops and conservation are invited to attend a free workshop hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs.
  • Farm and Food
Los agricultores interesados en aprender más sobre los cultivos de cobertura y la conservación están invitados a asistir a un taller gratuito organizado por el Center for Rural Affairs.
  • Farm and Food