Reports & Publications

Justino Borja is the co-owner and co-operator of Las Gemelas near Columbus, Nebraska. What I produce: chiles, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, and green beans.

Enriqueta Martinez is the co-owner and co-operator of El Rancho El Milagro near Roca, Nebraska. What we produce: beets, carrots, garlic, and onions.

Hilda Moreno es copropietaria y cooperador de Los Dos Potrillos | Fremont, Nebraska. Lo que producimos: maiz, huevos, y otros vegetales.

Justino Borja es coproprietorio y cooperador de Las Gemelas | Columbus, Nebraska. Lo que produzco: chiles, jitomates, ajo, cilantro, y ejotes.

Hilda Moreno is the co-owner and co-operator of Los Dos Potrillos near Fremont, Nebraska. They produce corn, eggs, and other vegetables.

Every day, Nebraskans are making tough decisions about long-term care – crucial services that they, or their loved ones, need to survive. Rural long-term care facilities are closing due to staffing shortages, changes in population, and the shortcomings of programs like Medicaid and Medicare. At the...

Iowa’s current and future agricultural productivity relies on healthy soils. Agricultural practices have already resulted in losses of one-half to one-third of our topsoil and soil carbon. Encouraging grazing and perennial cover Incentives for working lands and pastures at the state level have...

Farmers face risks, real and perceived, to their production systems when adopting a new practice, and often need technical and financial support to counter those risks. In early 2017, the Center for Rural Affairs received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Extension Risk Management Education to survey Iowa farmers.

Wind farm development brings numerous economic benefits to the counties and local communities where the farms are located. Among the perks are direct payments to landowners who host turbines and employment opportunities in the area during the construction and operation of a project. In some cases...

Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) is a financing tool that creates opportunities for businesses and nonprofits to make clean energy improvements to their properties. Key details • C-PACE enables low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water...

In this edition, you will read about Latino farmer Justino Borja who is making progress toward his dream of owning land.

Why study the food system? In Nebraska, more than $4.4 billion is spent annually on food and 90 percent of that comes from outside of the state. Nebraska’s food system is reliant on other areas of the country, the strength of their food systems and local economies, and the availability of their...

Originally from Ogallala, Nebraska, Eric spent part of his childhood in The Cornhusker State, and part of it in The Keystone State—Pennsylvania. He grew up in a family with a conventional farm mindset. Upon returning to Nebraska, Eric studied agricultural economics at the University of Nebraska...

Connectivity is the defining aspect of our 21st century economy. Access to broadband internet in all corners of Nebraska is essential for rural economic development. Unfortunately, an inaccurate method of reporting and mapping access to broadband services has led to thousands of Nebraska’s rural...

Ben Schole, originally from Hooper, Nebraska, works the land that his father farmed before him—land which has deep roots in their family. Enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971, Ben used the G.I. Bill to further his education at Colorado State University. Later, he worked at Nebraska Game and...

The Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit seeks to expand Nebraska’s existing beginning farmer tax credit program. The credit would add a 1 percent incentive for property and landowners who rent agricultural property or assets to a qualified beginning veteran farmer. This credit incentivizes the...

This 2019 calendar illustrates month-by-month the accomplishments you helped us achieve in 2018. With your help, small businesses are open and expanding; food systems are created and thriving; and rural people across the country are making their voices heard. Your donations and your actions helped...

Adverse possession is an ancient legal principle that has a counterintuitive outcome in practice. It seems to fly in the face of our deeply held views of property ownership in the United States. Because of this, it is often misunderstood by the general population. The basic social theory underlying...

In this edition, you will read about our research on broadband internet and our urging to policy makers for fair distribution. We are also asking lawmakers in Washington to pass a new farm bill, to be fair to our rural communities, farmers, and ranchers. In another report, we talked with farmers and water officials to make sure each side is fairly considered on a contentious issue.

Wind farm development brings numerous economic benefits to the counties and local communities where they are located. Among the perks are direct payments to landowners who host turbines, and employment opportunities in the area during the construction and operation of a project. In some cases...