Editor's note:
Local, state, and national policy directly impact how we live. We always need advocates to speak up for rural America.
At the Center, we work to amplify your voices. But, we cannot do it alone. You can:
Make your voice heard. Call, email, or write your elected officials. Keep their contact information handy. Legislation can move fast; be ready at a moment’s notice.
Step up and take action. Write a letter to the editor. Speak out in your community. Attend a listening session. Testify at the state capitol.
Don’t know where to start? Reach out and let us know how you want to get involved. Many of our staff have experience serving in elected bodies, whether it is on a village committee, city council, school board, board of supervisors, natural resource district, or even the state senate. (See pages 8-7 for more.)
Make sure you are signed up for our email updates to get the latest on state legislatures in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota, as well as with the federal farm bill. When the legislatures are in session, we send emails every other week. When we have a farm bill update, you will get that in your inbox.
Contact us at [email protected] and we can add you on an email list or guide you to our staff members.
-Rhea Landholm
In this issue:
Family-run restaurant offers big-city flavors with small-town charm — When Ernesto Estrada Marquez came to the U.S. in 2001, he didn’t plan on eventually owning a restaurant. But he took jobs in the food industry after arriving in Chicago, and he discovered he enjoyed it immensely.
5 tips to promote your farmers market — Coordinating a successful farmers market is a rewarding experience that comes with opportunities for growth and learning. We’ve gathered advice from five farmers market managers to help you plan for your upcoming market season.
Tribal Advocacy Council on Energy first in nation — As Minnesota transitions to a clean energy future, modernizing and upgrading the state’s energy transmission infrastructure is crucial for a more efficient electric grid. However, transmission planning must prioritize careful collaboration with neighboring communities.
Retiree uses CRP-TIP to help beginning farmer — Dale Tuttle is honoring his passion for conservation while helping a young, beginning farmer near Winterset, Iowa. As one of the first in his neighborhood to implement cover crops and no-till narrow-row soybeans, Dale has demonstrated to others that preventing soil erosion and caring for the land will leave it better for future generations.
What you need to know: Nebraska’s cottage food regulations — The 2024 expansion of cottage food law in Nebraska is a significant step toward empowering local entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth in rural communities. The law allows individuals to produce and sell certain low-risk foods from their homes without the need for a commercial kitchen, which not only provides opportunities for small-scale food producers but also supports the local economy by keeping money in the community.
Nebraska has benefited from the Inflation Reduction Act — The targeted investments of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have real-world impacts that are hard to ignore. Since its passage in August 2022, the IRA has been quietly bringing tangible benefits to Nebraska’s farms, public schools, small businesses, and families. From energy projects to tax credits, this law is strengthening communities.
Insights on advocating to legislators — Effective advocacy requires understanding the legislative process and employing strategic communication. Constituents can impact legislation by providing their perspective on a bill and explaining the reasoning for their position.
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