News Releases

LYONS, NEBRASKA – The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Carime Ruvalcaba, of Grand Island, to receive the 2021 Women’s Business Center Entrepreneur Award. The Women’s Business Center Entrepreneur...

LYONS, NEBRASKA – The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Alexandra Dillon, of Kearney, to receive its 2021 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is presented annually to an...

NEVADA, IOWA – The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Kent Wiese, of Des Moines, to receive its 2021 Citizenship Award. The Citizenship Award is given to an individual or individuals who actively...

The Center for Rural Affairs applauds expansions to federal crop insurance recently announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). Both changes signal encouraging opportunities for farmers practicing conservation on their operations.

With the industry still struggling to regain its footing, Center for Rural Affairs staff and other supporters urged Nebraska lawmakers to provide funding for a program designed to assist local independent meat processors.

On Tuesday, Center for Rural Affairs staff testified in support of two bills aimed at providing much needed stability for Nebraska small business owners during hearings before the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Aliza Brunsing, of West Point, to receive the 2021 Rural Community Champion Award.

Rural Iowans are invited to join state Rep. Norlin Mommsen for a discussion on strategies to build resilient rural communities during an online event set for Feb. 14. The Rural Resiliency Forum, which will be from 11 a.m. to noon

As state and local officials across the country consider bills addressing broadband service and decide how to allocate funding received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, a new white paper from the Center for Rural Affairs offers ideas and solutions for improving access in rural areas.

Becky Parker, of North Platte, has recently been hired as a loan specialist for the Center for Rural Affairs based in Lyons, Nebraska.

Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of workshops intended to navigate a year in the life of a veteran local farmer.

The Center for Rural Affairs is pleased to see Gov. Pete Ricketts’ support for small- and medium-sized meat processors, with the inclusion of $10 million to increase independent local processing capacity in his recommended state budget adjustments released Thursday.

Family farms and local independent meat processors stand to benefit from a bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature by state Sen. Tom Brandt.

The Center for Rural Affairs is applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its dedication to climate-smart agriculture following the agency’s announcement Monday that it plans to invest $38 million in a new program aimed at increasing cover crop acres. In addition, a key change to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) was announced.

As consumer preference continues to shift toward local food, producers are working hard to meet this demand. However, supply chain challenges remain. That is especially true for the farmers and ranchers who raise livestock. Locker appointments can be hard to come by, and the wait time at U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected facilities can stretch beyond one year.

Community leaders in Norfolk and the surrounding areas are invited to attend a free Civity training event hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs this month.

As solar projects across the nation continue to expand, solar grazing has emerged as a valuable tool, according to a new fact sheet recently released by the Center for Rural Affairs.

Despite the clear value the Conservation Stewardship Program offers in supporting farmers and ranchers in enhancing conservation of natural resources on their operations, funding has been reduced significantly in the last two farm bills, according to a white paper released today by the Center for Rural Affairs.

Indigenous emerging leaders seeking to improve their management skills and work on or near Tribal reservations in Nebraska and South Dakota are encouraged to apply for a six-month leadership training course.

GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA – Nebraska entrepreneurs and small business managers are invited to attend free workshops presented in Spanish and sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs.