Rural Prosperity Nebraska

Rural Prosperity Nebraska At Rural Prosperity Nebraska, we couple research with experience to help you live better in Nebraska.

We believe that for America to truly thrive, our rural residents and communities must thrive. We’ve learned that growing and sustaining a vibrant rural sector takes:
– Future-focused leadership and entrepreneurship
– Social as well as technological capital and connectedness
– The wise use of natural, agricultural and cultural resources
– Rich collaborations

As we strive for a thriving high-touch,

high-tech future for rural people and places, we have determined that the central point of innovation for the highly complex nature of rural communities is where students, faculty and communities connect. It is important to note that “students” refers to learners from secondary through adulthood; “faculty” refers to those within the University of Nebraska and beyond; and “communities” are not just localities, but also networked groups of people and communities of practice. In our work we intentionally connect students, faculty and communities to stimulate discovery and innovation. We also stimulate research and apply future-focused ideas and evidence-based practices designed to grow the body of knowledge. Finally, but importantly, we share stories of successes and solutions from scholars, leaders, entrepreneurs and funders to elevate the value and voice of rural nationwide.

If you missed the conference in Grand Island, you can still join us in Omaha this Saturday, Aug. 15, for the 4th annual ...
08/13/2026

If you missed the conference in Grand Island, you can still join us in Omaha this Saturday, Aug. 15, for the 4th annual Small Business Conference! Register today at ruralprosperityne.unl.edu

Blueprint to Business: Dream, Plan, Do. The Nebraska Business Development Center is hosting this interactive business pl...
07/15/2026

Blueprint to Business: Dream, Plan, Do. The Nebraska Business Development Center is hosting this interactive business plan workshop, sharing tips, tools, and advice on taking your business to the next level. Join us in a community near you:

Holdrege, July 16 https://nbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/10411

North Platte, July 19, https://nbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/10433

Valentine, July 30, https://nbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/10441

McCook, July 31, https://nbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/10440

The annual Nebraska Small Business Conference will be held in Grand Island, Omaha, and Lexington in August 2026. This bi...
07/10/2026

The annual Nebraska Small Business Conference will be held in Grand Island, Omaha, and Lexington in August 2026. This bilingual event (English and Spanish) supports both new and experienced entrepreneurs. Centered on the theme “Small Business, Smart Future,” the conference will explore how technology and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of small businesses. Attendees will hear from experts and entrepreneurs, gain practical tools, and learn strategies to grow in today’s digital world.

Register today: go.unl.edu/rpn

Did you miss July's Rural Rendezvous? Don't worry — you can still catch the conversation with Brett Stohs and Kelsey Van...
07/09/2026

Did you miss July's Rural Rendezvous? Don't worry — you can still catch the conversation with Brett Stohs and Kelsey Van Patten, both from UNL's School of Law, as they talk about helping drive rural entrepreneurship across Nebraska. Watch the webinar here: go.unl.edu/rpnnews

Eight University of Nebraska–Lincoln students are spending part of their summer immersed in Nebraska communities as Rura...
06/09/2026

Eight University of Nebraska–Lincoln students are spending part of their summer immersed in Nebraska communities as Rural Fellows. The students are living and working alongside residents in Curtis, Hastings, York and Knox County, contributing to local projects while gaining hands-on experience as part of Rural Prosperity Nebraska's "externship" program. The seven-week internships run through July 17. Read all about it at go.unl.edu/rpnnews

RPN Extension Educator Ben Jewell won the Center for Rural Affaris' Partner Award for his work and support for local com...
06/04/2026

RPN Extension Educator Ben Jewell won the Center for Rural Affaris' Partner Award for his work and support for local community and economic development. Congratulations, Ben!

Ben Jewell envisions a future where Nebraska schools and other institutions could source 50% or more of their food locally. This would keep millions of dollars in the state economy and also provide fresher, healthier food to students and communities.

This type of thinking, along with years of hard work, led to Ben receiving this year’s Partner Award from the Center for Rural Affairs.

“Schools and farmers are both very busy and have a lot going on. They often don’t have time for some of the slower, relationship-building type of work, so that’s the role I try to play. I help facilitate those connections and help them understand where each side is coming from.” – Ben Jewell

Read our blog to learn about Ben’s contributions to strengthening local and regional food systems in Nebraska.

RPN Extension Educator talks about thinking of community leadership development in a whole new way. Watch her talk about...
06/03/2026

RPN Extension Educator talks about thinking of community leadership development in a whole new way. Watch her talk about the work she and the RPN team have been doing in Seward and Taylor:

Nebraska Extension’s Rural Prosperity Nebraska team and UNL faculty have been collaborating with the communities of Taylor and Seward on a new approach to leade

If you’re looking for local foods grown in your area, Christina Lyons from the Beatrice Daily Sun wrote an amazing story...
06/02/2026

If you’re looking for local foods grown in your area, Christina Lyons from the Beatrice Daily Sun wrote an amazing story about Buy Fresh Buy Local, the university’s program for getting food from Nebraska farms onto your tables.

"The whole point is to foster joy and connections with the local farmers, but also knowing where you can access fresh, local foods is important. It’s about food security, resiliency and community pride.”

Read the whole story here: https://archive.is/G1Et2 -3663.0-3676.0

RPN Extension Educator Shawn Kaskie is back on NTV talking about the resources available to those affected by the Nebras...
06/01/2026

RPN Extension Educator Shawn Kaskie is back on NTV talking about the resources available to those affected by the Nebraska wildfires! Check them out here:

Nebraskans that have been affected by tornadoes, wildfires, or anything else Mother Nature has thrown at us this year may be looking for resources for help, an

RPN Extension Educator Shawn Kaskie talks about upcoming workshops for small business owners and entrepreneurs on NTV. G...
05/29/2026

RPN Extension Educator Shawn Kaskie talks about upcoming workshops for small business owners and entrepreneurs on NTV. Great job, Shawn!

Nebraskans interested in starting a small business have access to free classes to help with the endeavor. Shawk Kaskie from Rural Prosperity Nebraska joined NTV

Address

Agricultural Hall (AGH) 300
Lincoln, NE
68583

Telephone

+14024724389

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