Center for Rural Affairs

Iowa farmer and business owner receives Rural Community Champion Award When Danelle Myer rented a vacant storefront to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her operation, One Farm, she realized she could do more than sell her own seasonal produce there; she could also help ...

Congratulations Danelle Myer, recipient of the Rural Community Champion award. This award recognizes individuals who work with the Center to make extraordinary contributions to their communities through innovation, stewardship, or community development. Read Danelle's story on our blog.

Environmental leader focuses on food sovereignty in Meskwaki High on a hill overlooking the Iowa River are two homes surrounded by woods and animals, including dogs, horses, goats, birds, deer, and more. From her vantage point in the Meskwaki Settlement, Shelle...

Congratulations Shelley Buffalo, recipient of the 2024 Environmental Leader Award that honors accomplished leaders in environmental stewardship and recognizes individuals with a proven track record and promise of future advancement in the field.

Rural communities are resilient, but they need support, not funding cuts. Contact your senators and ask them to reject a reconciliation bill that threatens essential programs across rural communities.

Find out more details on our blog. www.cfra.org/blog/urge-yo...

Prairie Beacon – First Session of the 109th Legislature adjourns The 2025 Nebraska legislative session adjourned Monday, ending on Day 89 of the 90-day session. According to Speaker John Arch, lawmakers passed 204 bills, with another 113 bills incorporated as amend...

The 2025 Nebraska legislative session adjourned Monday, ending on Day 89 of the 90-day session. Lawmakers passed 204 bills, with another 113 bills incorporated as amendments.

Check out the final update for the 2025 Nebraska legislative session for more information the bills we were following.

Tariffs threaten renewable energy development and rural economies Despite record-high wind and solar generation, the U.S. renewable energy sector faces uncertainty. Tariffs and potential repeals of federal funding are creating roadblocks to the further buildout of e...

Renewable energy projects have helped rural economies by creating jobs and generating new tax revenues, but tariffs and policy uncertainty are creating roadblocks.

Without continued investment in renewable energy projects, many communities will not be able to unlock those economic benefits.

Rural communities: Here are resources that may help with water quality concerns Many rural communities in Nebraska will encounter issues with water system contamination at some point. When this happens, community leaders and residents will likely be left with questions and concer...

When rural communities face issues with water system contamination, people can be left with questions and concerns about the quality and safety of their drinking water. Fortunately for Nebraskans, a resource is just a phone call away: the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).

Field Notes – 2025 Iowa legislative session concludes Legislators adjourned for the final time of the 2025 Iowa legislative session on the morning of Thursday, May 15. For bills passed by both the House and the Senate, the governor has until June 15 to s...

Legislators adjourned for the final time of the 2025 Iowa legislative session on the morning of Thursday, May 15. For bills passed by both the House and the Senate, the governor has until June 15 to sign or veto.

Founder of Great Plains Action Society gets Environmental Leader Award Sikowis Nobiss (Nêhiyaw/Saulteaux) loves her people and has an innate love for the land, especially the prairie. However, she sees a lot of injustice in the world.She is taking a stand against environ...

Sikowis Nobiss’ (Nêhiyaw/Saulteaux) efforts in the environmental justice realm have earned her the 2024 Environmental Leader Award. Meet Sikowis on our blog. www.cfra.org/blog/founder...

Federal cuts threaten vital library and museum services in rural America Recent federal actions have placed a critical source of funding for public libraries and museums in jeopardy. Within weeks following an executive order from President Trump, the federal Institute of M...

Federal cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services are putting vital library and museum programs at risk, especially in rural states. Without this funding, many libraries may face cuts or even closure, leaving rural communities without access to key educational and cultural resources.

Field Notes – Legislative session overtime, budget agreements Budget differences have delayed progress but spurred negotiations thus far in the 2025 Iowa legislative session. Last week, it was announced that the Senate and House of Representatives agreed on a FY...

Budget differences have delayed progress but spurred negotiations thus far in the 2025 Iowa legislative session. Last week, it was announced that the Senate and House of Representatives agreed on a FY26 budget. Read more in our update.

Field Notes – Budget negotiations, rural grocery, and local foods bill passed Iowa House Legislators will receive their final per diem stipends for their time spent in Des Moines this Friday, May 2. However, it is unlikely they will adjourn for the final time this week because they have n...

Legislators will receive their final per diem stipends for their time spent in Des Moines this Friday, May 2. However, it is unlikely they will adjourn because they have not yet passed a 2026 fiscal year budget, or the property tax bill, which is a priority this year. #ialeg #iowa

Voice Matters! As legislators return to Washington, D.C., this week, now is an opportune time to reinforce the messages and concerns shared during their time back home. Ensure your voice resonates in the halls of Congress. Follow up and keep the conversation alive.

Prairie Beacon – Budget remains highest priority this session The remaining days of the current Nebraska legislative session, tentatively scheduled to adjourn on June 9, will be dedicated to closing the outstanding $289 million budget shortfall. The Appropriatio...

The remaining days of the current Nebraska legislative session, tentatively scheduled to adjourn on June 9, will be dedicated to closing the outstanding $289 million budget shortfall.

Minnesota Memo – Key climate legislation targeted in Senate omnibus bill Today ends Week 15 of Minnesota’s legislative session. Legislators are back from break and have less than a month to put together a biennial state budget by the constitutional deadline of May 19.This ...

Today ends Week 15 of Minnesota’s legislative session. Legislators are back from break and have less than a month to put together a biennial state budget by the constitutional deadline of May 19.

Organic farm in northern Minnesota faces uncertainty with USDA funds Disruptions in federal funding are causing uncertainty and frustration for one small farm near Duluth, Minnesota.Food Farm, a second generation certified organic farm near Wrenshall, Minnesota, is uns...

Disruptions in federal funding are causing uncertainty and frustration for one small farm near Duluth, Minnesota.

Food Farm, a second generation certified organic farm in small-town Wrenshall, Minnesota, is unsure if they will see the $220,000 they were awarded as the funding status fluxes.

Local farms, local losses: how USDA cuts are hurting communities The recent termination of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Programs by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has significantly impac...

The sudden termination of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs is taking a toll on Nebraska farms, schools, and food banks.

Field Notes – Rural grocery, local foods bill needs appropriated funds We are on the downhill slide toward the end of the Iowa legislative session, as Week 14 is underway. Legislators are working to wrap up by Friday, May 2, the date they receive their last stipend of th...

We are on the downhill slide toward the end of the Iowa legislative session, as Week 14 is underway. Legislators are working to wrap up by Friday, May 2, the date they receive their last stipend.

Prairie Beacon – SNAP legislation advanced Last week, Legislative Bill (LB) 192, introduced by Sen. Dan Quick, advanced past the first round of debate with 33 votes. LB 192 maintains the current income eligibility for the Supplemental Nutritio...

Today marks day 60 of the 90-day session, and senators still have plenty of work to accomplish before the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn in early June. Beginning April 22, debate may go into the evening hours with much of the focus on priority bills and finalizing the biennium budget.

Minnesota Memo – House and Senate budget targets released Today ends Week 13 of Minnesota’s legislative session, marking the third and final deadline for committees to take action on bills. Both chambers will recess for the Easter/Passover break, returning A...

Today ends Week 13 of Minnesota’s legislative session, marking the third and final deadline for committees to take action on bills. Both chambers will recess for the Easter/Passover break, returning April 21.

Center for Rural Affairs Newsletter Do you care about the future of rural America? Sign up to receive the latest news from the Center for Rural Affairs. Support rural lifestyles, small business owners, beginning farmers and ranchers, su...

Stay informed with our enewsletter.

For 51 years, we've been standing up for the family farmer and rancher, small business owner, and rural communities. As long as rural advocates are needed, we'll be in the front lines, building a bright rural future.

New Center for Rural Affairs fact sheet provides resources for cattle voltaics LYONS, NEBRASKA — As solar energy expands across agricultural land, dual-use solar is emerging as a practice to optimize land use. A dual-use solar approach known as cattle voltaics integrates cattle ...

Cattle voltaics—a dual-use solar approach—integrates cattle grazing with solar panels. This approach boosts land productivity, improves soil health, and provides farmers with new income streams—all while supporting solar energy generation. Learn more in our new fact sheet.

Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program lowers barriers with easier grant application, but its future remains uncertain A grant program to empower underserved communities is offering a unique opportunity to fund local environmental and public health initiatives.“Communities throughout Nebraska are considering this fund...

Communities in select areas of the U.S. have an opportunity to apply for the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, designed to fund local environmental and public health initiatives.

Field Notes – Rural grocery and local foods bill further considered by Iowa House subcommittee We are already in Week 12 of the Iowa legislative session, and legislators have spent hours debating bills in recent weeks.The second funnel deadline is this Friday, April 4, when bills focused solely...

We are already in Week 12 of the Iowa legislative session, and legislators have spent hours debating bills in recent weeks. The second funnel deadline is this Friday, when bills focused solely on policy must pass through one chamber and out of a committee in the opposite chamber to remain alive.

Prairie Beacon – Public hearings conclude, full-day debate to begin Business in the legislature has been progressing steadily, with mostly noncontroversial bills advancing. Today marked the end of public hearings for this year’s introduced legislation, with full-day d...

Business in the legislature has been progressing steadily, with mostly noncontroversial bills advancing. Today marked the end of public hearings for this year’s introduced legislation, with full-day debates beginning next Monday.

Minnesota Memo - Governor's revised two-year budget plan proposes more cuts Today ends week eleven of Minnesota’s legislative session.Passing a state budget is the top priority for the remainder of the session, which is set to end on May 19. The deadline to pass a budget is J...

Today ends week eleven of Minnesota’s legislative session.

Passing a state budget is the top priority for the remainder of the session, which is set to end on May 19. The deadline to pass a budget is July 1, or government services are at risk of being shut down.

Local USDA offices face uncertainty due to funding freeze, terminations Recent actions taken by the federal administration have left many individuals wondering about the status of a small-town staple—the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) county office.

Rural communities across the U.S. are facing major disruptions due to recent federal actions impacting USDA county offices. Staffing cuts and funding uncertainties have put vital programs at risk, impacting farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and homeowners.

Nebraska Farm & Food Economy Report Nebraskans spend more than $5 billion per year buying food that is sourced from out of the state. The "Nebraska Farm & Food Economy Report" indicates this loss of economic potential is driving a growi...

Nebraskans spend more than $5 billion per year on food sourced from outside the state. This loss of economic potential is driving a growing interest in locally produced food. Our updated Nebraska Farm & Food Economy report highlights opportunities and challenges facing farmers.

Federal funding bolsters Lower Platte North NRD’s conservation initiatives Protecting Lives. Protecting Property. Protecting the Future. This mission drives the work of the Lower Platte North Natural Resource District (LPNNRD), which serves 28 communities and manages more th...

The Lower Platte North NRD protects Nebraska’s land & water through flood control, water quality, & conservation. Federal funding makes major projects possible, from restoring Wahoo Creek to improving Shell Creek.

Harnessing the power of cattle voltaics: Huwa Enterprises combines solar with cattle grazing Renewable energy is boosting agricultural innovation, with farmers and ranchers finding new ways to integrate solar power into their operations. Huwa Enterprises, based in Keenesburg, Colorado, is tak...

What if cattle and solar panels could work together? Huwa Enterprises is proving it’s possible with cattle voltaics: a new approach that combines cattle grazing with solar energy generation. Learn more about this innovative approach to dual-use solar in our blog.

Rural grocery store in Iowa celebrates five years of community ownership Five years ago, a community in rural Iowa came together to save a vital part of their small town: the grocery store.With a population of approximately 900 people, Gowrie is in many ways an idyllic sma...

When the only grocery store in Gowrie, Iowa, was about to close, the community took action, raising the funds to save it in only 10 days!

Five years later, Market on Market is still serving its neighbors despite the challenges that come with running a rural grocery store.