Center for Rural Affairs

09/01/2026

08/28/2026

Attention Nebraska grocery store owners, managers, supervisors, and employees! 📣 How do you attract, and more importantly, keep rural customers?

You are invited to participate in the Customer Service for Grocers webinar series to learn about, discuss, and address this amidst the many challenges facing the industry today.

Two one-hour webinars are offered at multiple times to fit busy schedules. Register at the link in the comments.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

08/28/2026

What makes farming fun?

That’s a question many farmers may ask themselves at some point. For Scott Heinemann, the answer was seeing what cover crops and healthier soil could do on his Winside, Nebraska, farm.

“Exploring cover crops and regenerative management didn’t just protect my fields, it made farming fun again.” — Scott Heinemann

Read Scott’s story and join us for his upcoming September 2 field day! The link is in the comments! 🌾

08/26/2026

Child care providers work hard every single day by supporting rural communities' child care needs. However, finding the funding to sustain and strengthen their businesses isn’t always easy.

“Expanding grant writing education for child care providers aligns with the needs identified across the state. It helps strengthen their ability to secure funding, sustain their businesses, and continue providing high-quality care to Nebraska families.” —Jessica Campos, director of Center for Rural Affairs Women's Business Center

Read about how the workshop helped participants build their grant writing skills so child care services can be enhanced in rural communities. Find the full story at the link in the comments.

08/25/2026

Today we are listening to “Coat of Many Colors”, "Jolene”, “I Will Always Love You”, “9 to 5”, “Here You Come Again”, “In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)” and so many other beloved songs to celebrate a life well lived.

As Dolly Parton’s songs reached people all around the world, she remained proud of her rural upbringing and always continued to give back. Check out a few of Dolly Parton’s iconic songs that showcase the love of her rural roots in the link below from American Songwriter News.

Dolly showed generations of rural folks that where you come from really doesn't limit where you can go and what you can achieve. Thank you Dolly. ♥️

08/25/2026

Considering a renewable energy lease for your land? We have created a new fact sheet that walks landowners through the process. When it comes to legal agreements, what is most important for landowners to consider?

Learn more and download the resource via the link in the comments.

08/20/2026

We were happy to help bring this community conversation together. Thank you to everyone who participated!

08/19/2026

The Highland Park Farmers Market is a summer/fall tradition in Hastings, Nebraska, that has new management planning to work collaboratively with vendors, community partners, and customers so the transition is a positive experience.

“[The market] is a place where people can truly connect to those who are growing and making their food. The market is more than an errand, it's a place for the community to gather, learn from one another, and grow.” –Megan Arrington-Williams, executive director of Prairie Loft

Read our blog to learn about new changes at the market, future plans, and the Center’s contributions to this season.

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El Mercado de Agricultores de Highland Park es una tradición de verano y otoño en Hastings, Nebraska, que cuenta con una nueva administración comprometida a trabajar de manera colaborativa con los vendedores, socios comunitarios y clientes para que esta transición sea una experiencia positiva.

“[El mercado] es un lugar donde las personas realmente pueden conectar de verdad con quienes cultivan y elaboran sus alimentos. El mercado es más que una simple compra; es un espacio donde la comunidad se reúne, aprende unos de otros y crece.” –Megan Arrington-Williams, directora ejecutiva de Prairie Loft

Lea nuestro blog para conocer los nuevos cambios en el mercado, los planes para el futuro y las contribuciones del Center for Rural Affairs durante esta temporada.

08/17/2026

Todd Kay started racing BMX bikes when he was only 14 years old. Now, more than 40 years later, his lifelong love of cycling led him to open Sarpy County Bicycles in Papillion, Nebraska.

“I’m just a kid from New York that moved to Omaha who likes to ride bikes,” —Todd Kay

With financing from the Center for Rural Affairs, Todd has transformed that passion into a business where cyclists of all ages and experience levels can learn, connect, and feel welcome.

Read our latest blog to see how Todd is building a thriving cycling community one ride at a time.

08/14/2026

Farmers, a nonprofit, and a solar developer are working together to show that agriculture and solar energy can successfully share the same land via the Big Lake Agrivoltacs Project in Minnesota.

The project gives emerging farmers access to land where they can grow fruits and vegetables under and around solar panels, showing how seeds of hope can grow change.

“I see this as an important way to come together.” —Sophia Lenarz-Coy, executive director of the Food Group

Read our blog to learn more.