Center News Releases

Center for Rural Affairs’ Dena Beck named Financial Services Champion - Center celebrates accomplishment during National Small Business Week

Elisha Smith — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:28:58 +0000

Release Date:

05/25/2012

Contact(s):

Dena R. Beck, denab@cfra.org , Phone: (308) 528-0060 or Elisha Smith, elishas@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1007

Lyons, NE - In observation of National Small Business Week, May 20-26, the Center for Rural Affairs is pleased to announce that Dena Beck, Business Specialist for the Center’s Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) was recently named the Small Business Administration's Nebraska 3rd Congressional District Financial Services Champion of the Year for 2012.

Beck was recognized during the Nebraska Economic Developers Association Spring Conference on May 10 in Norfolk, and received the award from Nebraska District Director Leon Milobar.

Nominated by Jason Tuller, the North Platte Director of Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC), the award was based on helping small businesses obtain financing, encouragement of the flow of investment capital to small firms, advocacy, and other significant contributions.

“This award is very special because it’s made possible by the hard work of the Center for Rural Affairs’ REAP staff and most importantly, our borrowers,” said Dena. “I am a small part, 1/9th in fact, of a hardworking, mission-driven microenterprise development organization that has been serving Nebraska businesses for over 22 years…increasing the bankability of people, building wealth, creating and sustaining jobs and alleviating poverty.”

Over the past six years working for the Center for Rural Affairs’ REAP in her 16-county central Nebraska area of responsibility, Beck has helped provide 45 small business microloans for $475,100 through REAP, and contributed consulting and loan packaging assistance for another 14 loans for $1.1 million. Her work was crucial in creating and helping companies keep more than 88 jobs in rural Nebraska.

“Unless you are from Lincoln or Omaha, REAP is working in your community …NOT responding to requests for proposals, bringing in Wal-Mart, Google or a call center, but making loans, offering trainings and much-needed one-on-one technical assistance to your neighbors, shop owners downtown and people needing to supplement their family income,” Beck continued.

In Fiscal 2011 alone, Beck placed 14 microloans through REAP for $222,900, and helped leverage three more for $553,000, creating and keeping more than 27 jobs in Nebraska as a result. Moreover, she provided 204 consulting sessions to small businesses from consignment stores, to restaurants, grocery stores, marketing firms and many more to help them start and succeed. She offered 290 follow-up sessions to clients after the loan to ensure their continued success. As a result of these small business consulting efforts alone, she helped her clients keep and create nearly 35 more jobs in the state.

“Dena has mastered the skills of an outstanding consultant, the mix of understanding how business operates, assistance programs work, and the interpersonal skills to assist clients with achieving their objectives,” said Leon Milobar, Small Business Administration (SBA) Nebraska District Director. “This is demonstrated by the counseling numbers and the results she has been able to achieve with business startups, job creation – saved and the financing businesses were able to obtain. It comes down to results, she was able to help those individuals who have the capacity to start, expand and obtain financing for their business.”

As the creator and co-author of the bi-annual Small Business Needs Assessment statewide survey Beck’s efforts have helped resource providers statewide better align their program offerings to meet the needs of entrepreneurs across the state. She has taken her advocacy work directly to Washington, D.C. for face-to-face meetings with legislators and other policy makers to move forward the interests of small businesses, and to Lincoln, where she worked to include microenterprises in the Business Innovation Act, a recent state law which, among other provisions, will help expand small business and entrepreneur outreach efforts for new and existing companies to expand product lines, create spinoffs and create a stronger link between industry and higher education in Nebraska.

Beck also contributes to a vibrant small business community in Nebraska as former director of the Minden Chamber of Commerce and the Kearney County Economic Development Agency.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture therapy from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in organizational management with minors in entrepreneurship and economic development from Peru State College and is a graduate of the Heartland Institute of Economic Development. She is active in several advisory and resource groups, the PK Partnership, South Platte United Chambers of Commerce, Nebraska Economic Developers Association, Central & South West Nebraska Development Districts and past service on advisory councils including GROW Nebraska and the University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Business and Technology’s Center for Rural Research and Development.

The Center for Rural Affairs REAP program, based in Lyons, Nebraska, made 68 loans to small businesses in the state in 2011, the ninth-most loans of more than 150 microlenders in the country for the year. REAP’s effort contributed to $538 million in loans nationwide from SBA-affiliated microlenders.

The SBA’s microloan program, which began in 1992 to help start-ups and existing small businesses, has enjoyed a low overall default rate (around three percent) and has created or kept on payrolls more than 155,000 jobs. The SBA provides loan funding on generous terms to these community-focused non-profits who in turn lend up to $50,000 per project; often, loans are as small as a few hundred or few thousand dollars. More than 98 percent of the loans REAP made are to rural Nebraska small businesses, with an average loan amount of just over $9,000.

Note on SBA Lending in Nebraska: Since Oct. 1, nearly 260 SBA-backed loans for $82.2 million have been approved for small businesses in Nebraska, creating more than 900 new jobs and helping keep more than 3,500 jobs in the state.

For a picture of Dena Beck receiving her award visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfra/7223683892/in/photostream

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

South Sioux City Farmers Market Seeks Vendors - South Sioux City Farmers Market seeks to promote local, healthy food systems - Sponsorship opportunities available

Elisha Smith — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:07:55 +0000

Release Date:

05/24/2012

Contact(s):

Amy Radding, Center for Rural Affairs, amyr@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1009 or Elisha Smith, Center for Rural Affairs, elishas@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1007

South Sioux City, NE - The growing season is just getting underway and local gardeners and produce farmers are encouraged to act quickly to secure vendor space at the South Sioux City Farmers Market.

The Center for Rural Affairs is very pleased to announce that the market will kick off its inaugural year of operation on Sunday, June 3. The market will run on Sundays from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. at its location on East 5th Street between Dakota and A Street in South Sioux City, NE. The 2012 Market’s last day is October 28.

Market manager, Amy Radding with the Center for Rural Affairs says interest has been high among producers wanting to market their products and produce through the South Sioux City Farmers Market, but there's still room available for more vendors.

“The South Sioux Farmers Market aims to serve South Sioux City’s population as a place where local vendors can sell their homegrown, homemade items and local residents can buy fresh, local, homegrown and homemade foods and agricultural items,” said Radding. “This market will accommodate both large, established vendors and small, new vendors. If you’re considering selling at a market for the first time, we can help you get started.”

Market space is available for full season vendors to sell on other days of the week. Area farmers, local food producers, artisans, and food vendors are encouraged to apply for vendor space.

Vendor applications can be obtained by going to www.southsiouxfarmersmarket.com and downloading the form, or by calling 402-687-2103 ext. 1009. The 2012 Market rules and regulations are also listed on the website or are available by mail.

Market organizers are offering several sponsorship opportunities to give local businesses and organizations added exposure to prospective customers. Supporting sponsors will have their business name or logo appear on market signage and press releases, and can participate at the market to work directly with customers.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can download the information from the website or contact Amy Radding. Other questions regarding the market can also be directed to Radding via email at amyr@cfra.org, or by phone at 402-6807-2103 ext. 1009.

South Sioux Farmers Market is on Facebook (search South Sioux Farmers Market or go to https://www.facebook.com/SouthSiouxFarmersMarket).

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

The Affordable Care Act: Real Help for Real Rural People - Report examines how many rural Americans benefit from provisions of the Affordable Care Act

Elisha Smith — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:31:39 +0000

Release Date:

05/15/2012

Contact(s):

Jon Bailey, jonb@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1013 or John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Phone: (563) 581-2867 or (402) 687-2103 ext. 1010

Lyons, Nebraska - Today, the Center for Rural Affairs released a new report that documents findings about how many Americans have used or benefited from particular provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

Where possible, this report also estimates how many rural residents and families have used or benefited from Affordable Care Act provisions. These estimates on rural participation are unique to this report, extrapolating rural participation from general public participation data and, thereby, demonstrating the importance of these provisions to America’s rural communities.

The report entitled, The Affordable Care Act: Real Help for Real Rural People, can be viewed and downloaded at: http://files.cfra.org/pdf/real-help-rural-people.pdf.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Since then numerous provisions have gone into effect or been implemented that impact health insurance coverage and provide new health care benefits for millions of Americans.

“As we have documented in a series of reports, many of these provisions are particularly applicable to rural people because of the demographics and unique economic circumstances of rural areas,” said Jon Bailey, Director of Rural Research and Analysis at the Center for Rural Affairs and author of the report. “Of course, rural people and families in large numbers have also benefited from the more general provisions of the Affordable Care Act.”

Key findings in the report include:
Provision    People Helped Overall        Rural People Helped
Young Adults with Health Insurance     2.5 million     440,000 additional
Medicare “Donut Hole” Beneficiaries     5.1 million seniors    1.1 million seniors
Medicare Annual Wellness Checks     2.3 million    500,000
Medicare Preventive Services     32.5 million seniors    6.8 million seniors
Preventive Services (Insured)     54 million     8.9 million
Lifting Lifetime Limits     105 million    17.3 million
Children with Pre-existing Conditions     17 million    3 million
Unreasonable Rate Increase Protection     76 million    12.5 million
Children’s Preventive Services     40 million    6.6 million

Note: Some individuals will qualify for more than one provision

“On March 23rd the Affordable Care Act entered its third year as the nation’s fundamental public health care policy,” continued Bailey. “We believe it is crucial at this time to reflect on what the Affordable Care Act really does... what it actually has to offer, especially to rural Americans who have faced stern challenges in finding and accessing quality, affordable health care coverage.”

This is the 16th report in a series dealing with how health care reform and the Affordable Care Act is impacting rural America. Visit http://www.cfra.org/policy/health-care/research to review or download earlier Center for Rural Affairs health care reports.

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

Young Farmer Veteran goes to Washington - Justin Doerr testified today at House Agriculture Subcommittee on Beginning Farmer and Rancher Issues

Elisha Smith — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:06:17 +0000

Release Date:

05/10/2012

Contact(s):

Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 360-2109 or John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Phone: (563) 581-2867

Washington, DC - Today, Thursday, May 10, Justin Doerr, a beginning farmer and military veteran from Plainview, NE, traveled to Washington D.C. to participate and testify at the House Ag Committee Hearing on the Farm Bill Credit Title. Doerr will return to Nebraska on May 11th.

Link to Justin’s testimony:
http://agriculture.house.gov/pdf/hearings/Doerr120510.pdf

Link to the hearing video
http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/default.aspx?CID=28

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to testify about the value of federal credit, training and land access programs that are absolutely crucial in helping beginning farmers get started in agriculture,” said Doerr. “I’m grateful to Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Ranking Member Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and the members of the committee for inviting me to testify and to the Center for Rural Affairs for helping me prepare for the hearing and arranging for me to participate in this process.”

Doerr, who recently finished planting, commented further on the importance of his testimony,“I believe these credit programs and other efforts targeted specifically at new farmers, are very important investments the farm bill can make in ensuring that young farmers like myself have the tools and resources we need to successfully contribute to our local farm economies, spur rural economic development, preserve our natural resource base, and do our part in ensuring our nation’s food security.”

Contact the Center for Rural Affairs to schedule an interview or reach Justin Doerr directly at:
Justin D. Doerr
402-316-4919
jddoerr@gmail.com
profiles.google.com/jddoerr
twitter.com/jddoerr

Doerr grew up on a small farm in Northeast Nebraska where his family raised hogs, cattle, and some hay. After high school he joined the Army. During this time, things got tough on the farm so Justin’s father sold the livestock and rented out the farm ground. When Justin got back from overseas he wanted to move home and farm. “What I found later was I had the desire to farm but did not have the means, as I lacked the capital and resources to begin farming after the folks sold their operation,” commented Doerr.

“We face a lot of barriers as beginning farmers as far as access to land and credit and barriers in crop insurance,” said Doerr. “As a beginning farmer one way of getting a start is through niche markets and raising non-conventional crops, but it’s hard to gain access to crop insurance for that... that problem should be addressed.”

Pictures of Doerr giving his testimony are available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfra/7172638092/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfra/7172966426/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfra/7172960196/in/photostream/

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

Young Veteran Farmer goes to Washington - Justin Doerr to testify at House Agriculture Subcommittee on Beginning Farmer and Rancher Issues

Elisha Smith — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:34:34 +0000

Release Date:

05/08/2012

Contact(s):

Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 360-2109 or John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Phone: (563) 581-2867

Lyons, NE - Justin Doerr, a beginning farmer and military veteran from Plainview, NE, will travel to Washington D.C. on Thursday, May 10, to participate and testify at the House Ag Committee Hearing on the Farm Bill Credit Title.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to testify about the value of federal credit, training and land access programs that are absolutely crucial in helping beginning farmers get started in agriculture,” said Doerr.

Doerr, who recently finished planting, commented further on the importance of his testimony,“I believe these credit programs and other efforts targeted specifically at new farmers, are very important investments the farm bill can make in ensuring that young farmers like myself have the tools and resources we need to successfully contribute to our local farm economies, spur rural economic development, preserve our natural resource base, and do our part in ensuring our nation’s food security.”

When: May 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT)

Who: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight and Credit - U.S. House of
Representatives Committee on Agriculture

What: Subcommittee Hearing on Formulations of the 2012 Farm Bill Credit Programs

Where: 1300 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC

Contact the Center for Rural Affairs to schedule an interview or reach Justin Doerr directly at:
Justin D. Doerr
402-316-4919
jddoerr@gmail.com
profiles.google.com/jddoerr
twitter.com/jddoerr

Doerr grew up on a small farm in Northeast Nebraska where his family raised hogs, cattle, and some hay. After high school he joined the Army. During this time, things got tough on the farm so Justin’s father sold the livestock and rented out the farm ground. When Justin got back from overseas he wanted to move home and farm. “What I found later was I had the desire to farm but did not have the means, as I lacked the capital and resources to begin farming after the folks sold their operation,” commented Doerr.

“We face a lot of barriers as beginning farmers as far as access to land and credit and barriers in crop insurance,” said Doerr. “As a beginning farmer one way of getting a start is through niche markets and raising non-conventional crops, but it’s hard to gain access to crop insurance for that... that problem should be addressed.”

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

The Fight for the Sandhills isn’t Over - Center for Rural Affairs urges rural Nebraskans to attend public hearings

Elisha Smith — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:05:54 +0000

Release Date:

05/08/2012

Contact(s):

Johnathan Hladik (pronounced Huh-lad-ik), Center for Rural Affairs, johnathanh@cfra.org or (402) 687-2103 ext. 1022 or Elisha Smith, Center for Rural Affairs, elishas@cfra.org or (402) 687-2103 ext. 1007

Lyons, NE - During the month of May, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality will hold several public meetings concerning TransCanada’s proposed crude oil pipeline. At the meetings the public can see detailed maps of the proposed pipeline corridor and learn about the review process.

The meeting sites are along the proposed pipeline corridor in O’Neill, Neligh, Albion, and Central City.

According to information in a DEQ press release, the information sessions will be an opportunity to meet and talk with those involved in the review in an “open house” format with tables and posters around the room. Topics will include NDEQ’s role in the review process, a large area featuring detailed map enlargements, an overview of the next steps in the review process, and an area to submit comments to be considered by the agency. NDEQ has also invited TransCanada to attend the information sessions, to respond to questions that are beyond the scope of the state’s review.

“Your attendance will make a difference,” said Johnathan Hladik, Energy Advocate for the Center for Rural Affairs. "It's important that Nebraskans learn as much as they can about this proposed route, and work to ensure that the process remains transparent and our decision makers are held accountable.”

What: Department of Environmental Quality public meetings to see detailed maps of the proposed pipeline corridor and learn about the review process

When and Where:
O’Neill--O'Neill Community Center
Wednesday, May 9
4-7 p.m.
501 S. 4th St.
O’Neill, NE

Neligh--Neligh-Oakdale High School
Thursday, May 10
4-7 p.m.
600 J St.
Neligh, NE

Albion--Boone County Fairgrounds
Wednesday, May 16
4-7 p.m.
11th and Fairview Ave
Albion, NE

Central City--Central City Community Room
Thursday, May 17
4-7 p.m.
1515 17th St.
Central City, NE

“Your attendance is important, as it helps serve the common well-being of all Nebraskans. If you can't attend a meeting you can submit public comments by phone, email, or paper mail,” concluded Hladik.

Comments will be considered in the DEQ’s report to the Governor.
Phone: (800) 295-8912
Email: NDEQ.SEISpubliccomments@Nebraska.gov
Paper mail: Nebraska Pipeline Review Process, P.O. Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922

For more information on the meetings or on the Center for Rural Affairs work on energy issues contact Hladik at (402) 687-2103 ext. 1022 or send an email to johnathanh@cfra.org.

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

Farmers Market Workshop Slated for Davenport - Four county collaboration hosts second workshop in community food workshop series

Elisha Smith — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:41:53 +0000

Release Date:

05/08/2012

Contact(s):

Kathie Starkweather, Center for Rural Affairs, kathies@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 617-7946 or Elisha Smith, Center for Rural Affairs, elishas@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1007

Lyons, NE - The Center for Rural Affairs and Harold Stone of Stone’s Thoreau in Davenport, Nebraska, will be hosting a free workshop on how to develop and manage Farmers Markets, including invaluable information on selling at a Farmers Market and what’s in it for the vendor. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 16 at the Davenport Library, 109 North Maple Avenue, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Elaine Cranford, former Farmers Market Manager and vendor with Nebraska Cooperative Development Center, will give an overview of guidelines and tips on what is required of vendors selling direct to the customer. Cranford will demonstrate how to set up an attractive booth that is appealing to customers.

“We are interested in including small-scale growers and gardeners along with established growers in and around the region,” said Kathie Starkweather, Rural Opportunities and Stewardship Program Director for the Center for Rural Affairs. “This series of trainings will bring the information necessary to understand not only components of growing, but how to reach markets as well.”

This is the second in a series of workshops that are supporting the development of a regional food system in Davenport, Nebraska (including Thayer, Clay, Fillmore and Nuckolls counties). Harold Stone of Stone’s Thoreau is developing this project to assist local growers or those who want to start growing build a regional food system by supplying locally grown food to consumers in the four-county region.

The Center for Rural Affairs and Harold Stone are advancing the development of this self-sustaining system by hosting a series of free trainings on basic gardening and growing for markets that began in April. Programs will continue through August.

What: Workshop on Farmers Markets: Developing , managing, selling and what’s in it for the vendor.

Where: Lower level of the Davenport Library,
109 North Maple Avenue
Davenport, NE

When: Wednesday, May 16, 2012
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Please RSVP with name, address and email to Kathie Starkweather at kathies@cfra.org or call (402) 617-7946. A detailed agenda will be sent to all who RSVP.

“We hope anybody in the area who wants to learn about how to sell successfully at a farmers market, develop or manage a market should come,” Starkweather continued.

The workshop series continues on June 6, 2012 with a general overview of chemical-free growing practices.

Other upcoming workshops include Harvest, Garden Care, and Marketing Strategies.

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

Sweating in April? Climate Change Workshop to be Held in West Point, NE - Climate Expert Dr. Tapan Pathak with UNL School of Natural Resources Presenting

Elisha Smith — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:36:08 +0000

Release Date:

04/27/2012

Contact(s):

Virginia Wolking, Center for Rural Affairs, virginiaw@cfra.org or (402) 687-2100, or Elisha Smith, Center for Rural Affairs, elishas@cfra.org or (402) 687-2100

West Point, NE - Nebraska is among the area that scientists believe will see the highest temperature increase over the next century. Current projections say the Northern Great Plains and Upper Midwest could experience average temperature increases of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Many people associate global warming with melting glaciers and think that the center of the country is immune,” said Johnathan Hladik, Energy Policy Advocate at the Center for Rural Affairs. “It’s important that Nebraskans realize what is happening in their own backyard and how climate change is affecting the state.”

That’s why the Center for Rural Affairs along with the High Plains Regional Climate Center and the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center will host a free climate education workshop in West Point, Nebraska, on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Horizons Hotel from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

UNL is providing the first 20 registrants with a $25 travel stipend. The event is free and open to the public. Register today by calling or emailing Virginia Wolking at virginiaw@cfra.org or(402) 687-2103 ext. 2017.

Dr. Tapan Pathak, Extension Educator for climate variability and climate change in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln will visit with attendees to discuss tools to aid in farming decisions, potential effects of climate change in the region, and climate variation across the state. His focus is on applying climate variability and climate change science to communicate risks, adaptation, and mitigation strategies to communities across Nebraska.

“Climate is always changing. In the short term, such as an hour or a day, we see changes in weather. Similarly, over a longer period such as 50 or 100 years, we see changes in variables such as temperature and precipitation,” commented Virginia Wolking, Rural Organizer with the Center for Rural Affairs.

According to Wolking, this presentation will focus on climate change, the causes and indicators of climate change, and also tools that can be used to aid in gardening as well as farming decisions. There will also be an opportunity for discussion about how climate variability has affected gardening and farming in the past and about the potential effects of climate change in the region.

Wolking will be joined by colleague Johnathan Hladik, Center for Rural Affairs Energy Policy Advocate as they discuss work the Center for Rural Affairs is conducting on climate and energy.

When and Where:
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
7pm-9pm
Horizons Hotel
301 Plaza Drive (near the junction of Hwy 275 and Hwy 9)
West Point, Nebraska

“Attendees will learn about a variety of topics related to climate and weather including precipitation, planting dates and the impacts of changing climate patterns," continued Wolking. "I attended a similar workshop in Lincoln, and I learned a lot about climate and weather. We hope to see you there.”

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

Poverty On the Plains - Report finds poverty in rural areas higher than urban centers

Elisha Smith — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:53:26 +0000

Release Date:

04/27/2012

Contact(s):

Jon Bailey, jonb@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1013 or John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1010

Lyons, Nebraska - Today, the Center for Rural Affairs released a report that challenges many conventional assumptions about where poverty and food insecurity exists in the central United States. The report concludes that rural counties in the Midwest and Great Plains are experiencing higher incidence of poverty as well as greater rates of food insecurity, especially among children, than urban centers in the region. These findings challenge conventional thought and policy debates which often conclude, directly or implicitly, that poverty and food insecurity are primarily urban issues.

“Rural poverty continues to be a serious issue in many parts of the Great Plains region, affecting scores of rural households and families,” said Jon Bailey, Director of Research and Analysis at the Center for Rural Affairs and co-author of the report. “The poverty rates among rural children are most alarming, both in the immediate term and for their long-term development.”
The report, Poverty on the Great Plains, is the third in a series of briefs examining data from the 2010 Census. The analysis covers a 10 state region that includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa and selected counties in Colorado, Montana, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

A full copy of the report can be downloaded at: http://files.cfra.org/pdf/census-brief3-poverty.pdf

According to the report, 414,331 people in rural areas (or 13.3% of the regional rural population) were living in poverty in 2010. And that same year 145,065 or 16.4% of rural children in the region lived in poverty compared to 15.6% of children in micropolitan counties and 14.1% in metropolitan counties.

While portions of metropolitan areas of the region are likely to have among the highest poverty rates in the region, the data presented here is county level data that in many cases contains both high poverty and low poverty areas within a county or metropolitan area.

Additionally, Bailey points out that another sign of living in poverty is food insecurity. Food Insecurity is defined as USDA’s measure of lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members or limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.

Bailey’s report finds that rural people who were food insecure accounted for 12.7% of the population in 2010. And rural children who were food insecure accounted for 23.8%. It is critical for the future of rural residents that the issue of food insecurity be addressed. Solving childhood poverty and food insecurity is particularly important as the physical and intellectual development of children is affected by poverty and a lack of access to healthy food.

“A food insecure household may not experience insecurity throughout the entire year,” continued Bailey. “Any time one has to make a choice between adequate food and other expenses, such as medical bills, a household is considered to be food insecure.”

A previous report also authored by Bailey found that although rural grocery stores play a crucial role in our rural communities, providing vital sources of nutrition, jobs and tax revenue that support the community, they are slowly disappearing across the nation. In Iowa, for example, the number of grocery stores with employees dropped by almost half from 1995 to 2005, from about 1,400 stores in 1995 to slightly over 700 just 10 years later. Meanwhile, "supercenter" grocery stores (Wal-Mart and Target, for example) increased by 175 percent in the 10-year period.

"The growing phenomena of rural ‘food deserts’ - the lack of outlets for purchasing food - is impacting residents in many rural areas of the nation, no matter their age or income," Bailey explained. “And combined with increased rural poverty rates, especially among rural children, food insecurity among rural families is on the rise.”

“In order to reverse these trends in rural America, it is crucial for rural communities and public policy to find new, innovative ways to create rural economic opportunities and revitalize rural economies,” said Bailey.

A 2007 Center for Rural Affairs analysis demonstrated that USDA and Congress have severely over-subsidized the biggest and most powerful farms while consistently under-investing in rural economic development, spending twice as much on subsidizing the 20 largest farms in each of 13 leading farm states as it invested in rural development programs to create economic opportunity for millions of people in thousands of towns in the 20 rural counties with the most out-migration in each respective state - (the full report - An Analysis of USDA Farm Program Payments and Rural Development Funding In Low Population Growth Rural Counties, a.k.a. Oversubsidizing and Underinvesting... can be viewed or downloaded at: http://www.cfra.org/node/603).

According to Bailey, federal contributions to rural development have been plummeting for years – almost one-third of the USDA Rural Development budget has been cut since 2003. And Congress is currently considering making even further cuts to already bare-boned rural development programs. For example, funds for the popular Value Added Producer Grant are in jeopardy and all the money for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program is currently on the chopping block. The USDA only uses about 1.7 percent of its budget for rural development.

“Addressing poverty and food insecurity, especially among rural children, requires setting profoundly different priorities than are evidenced in the iteration of the Farm Bill currently being debated in Congress,” concluded Bailey.

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

Center for Rural Affairs Applauds Amendment of Senate Farm Bill-Farm payment limit loopholes closed for first time

Marie Powell — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:20:53 +0000

Release Date:

04/26/2012

Contact(s):

John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, (563) 581-2867 or (402) 687-2103 ext. 1010

Lyons, NE - Today, the Center for Rural Affairs praised the Senate Agriculture Committee for closing loopholes in the farm payment limitation.

“We applaud the Senate Ag Committee for passing a Farm Bill that for the first time in a generation closes the gaping loopholes that have made a mockery of the farm program payment limitation,” said Chuck Hassebrook of the Center for Rural Affairs. “Most of all, we thank Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) for his tireless advocacy for reducing subsidies for mega farms to drive family farms out of business.”

According to Hassebrook, closing the loopholes is a critical step. And the next step is to apply those limits to uncapped premium subsidies for federal crop insurance, the most expensive element of the farm program. “If one corporation farmed every acre in America,” said Hassebrook, “the federal government would pay 60 percent of its crop insurance premiums on every acre, every year.

“Crop insurance subsidies are highest in times of high prices - when they are needed least. That’s because it costs more to insure $6 corn than $4 corn. Crop insurance costs have doubled in the last 5 years and quadrupled in the last 10 years,” Hassebrook continued.

The Center for Rural Affairs also praised Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) for working to fund rural development programs through the farm bill. “If passed as it now stands,” said Hassebrook, “this farm bill will be the first in a generation to include no funding for rural development.” Brown and Nelson are pressing to change that before the bill comes before the full Senate.

The Center also praised Senators John Thune (R-SD), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Mike Johanns (R-NE) for winning a sodsaver provision that will reduce federal crop insurance subsidy premiums for breaking out erosion prone native grasslands for crop production.

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

Center for Rural Affairs urges Senate to Amend Farm Bill - Votes this week will determine future of rural development and beginning farmer programs

Elisha Smith — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:03:24 +0000

Release Date:

04/25/2012

Contact(s):

John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, (563) 581-2867 or (402) 687-2103 ext. 1010

Lyons, NE - Today the Center for Rural Affairs called upon Senate Agriculture Committee members to adopt crucial amendments to the Farm Bill proposal currently before the committee. They are expected to begin debate on amendments today, Wednesday, April 25th.

“Unfortunately, the farm bill proposal before the Senate Ag Committee slashes investment in rural small business development and value-added agriculture while increasing crop insurance subsidies for some of the nation’s largest farms and wealthiest landowners. There are opportunities to fix some of these issues right now, while the Committee debates amendments to the bill,” said Traci Bruckner of the Center for Rural Affairs.

According to Bruckner, the amendment* offered by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) is an important first step. It would deny farm subsidies to individuals with taxable income over $500,000 and married couples making over $1 million. The money saved would be invested in revitalizing rural communities through small business development, beginning farmer programs, value added agriculture and assistance for small towns in updating water and sewer systems.

Likewise, Bruckner stated that the amendment offered by Senator John Thune (R-SD), Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE), Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) helps reverse the perverse incentive in current farm policy to break up marginal, erosion prone grasslands.

“Their amendment limits crop insurance benefits and premium subsidies for crops grown on native sod or land that a producer cannot verify has ever been tilled,” Bruckner continued.

As the Senate Agriculture Committee begins debating the next farm bill, they will undertake consideration of over 100 amendments offered by members of the committee. According to Bruckner, this is a time when much of the direction of the Senate Farm Bill will be determined.

“Moreover, in today’s economy it is more important than ever that the Senate make wise choices,” said Bruckner.

She further explained that under current and proposed farm policy, if one corporation farmed an entire state - her home state of Nebraska, for example - then the federal government would pay 60 percent of its crop insurance premiums on every acre, every year, even in times of record profits.

“This does not reflect rural America’s priorities or our values. We face a simple choice, either lavish subsidies on mega-farms, or, invest in rural America’s future. The best choice is obvious,” Bruckner added. “And there will never be a more important time for rural Americans to let their Senators know how they come down on that choice than right now.”

* The Sherrod Brown/Ben Nelson Amendment to the farm bill would deny farm payments to individuals with adjusted gross income of over $500,000. The savings would be used for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program ($25 million over 5 years), Value Added Producer Grant Program ($100 million over five years), beginning farmer programs ($45 million over 5 years), Water and Sewer replacement backlog ($150 million) and RBEG/RBOG business development programs ($10 million over 5 years).

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

West Point Site of Climate Change Workshop

Elisha Smith — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:59:47 +0000

Release Date:

04/24/2012

Contact(s):

Virginia Wolking, Center for Rural Affairs, virginiaw@cfra.org or (402) 687-2100, or Elisha Smith, Center for Rural Affairs, elishas@cfra.org or (402) 687-2100

West Point, NE - The Center for Rural Affairs along with the High Plains Regional Climate Center and the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center will host a free climate education workshop in West Point, Nebraska, on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Horizons Hotel from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Stipends provided by UNL of $25 (to cover travel expenses) are available for the first 20 registrants. Register today by calling or emailing Virginia Wolking at virginiaw@cfra.org or(402) 687-2103 ext. 2017.

Dr. Tapan Pathak, Extension Educator for climate variability and climate change in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln will visit with attendees to discuss tools to aid in farming decisions, potential effects of climate change in the region, and climate variation across the state. His focus is on applying climate variability and climate change science to communicate risks, adaptation, and mitigation strategies to communities across Nebraska.

“Climate is always changing. In the short term, such as an hour or a day, we see changes in weather. Similarly, over a longer period such as 50 or 100 years, we see changes in variables such as temperature and precipitation,” commented Virginia Wolking, Rural Organizer with the Center for Rural Affairs.

According to Wolking, this presentation will focus on climate change, the causes and indicators of climate change, and also tools that can be used to aid in gardening as well as farming decisions. There will also be an opportunity for discussion about how climate variability has affected gardening and farming in the past and about the potential effects of climate change in the region.

Wolking will be joined by colleague Johnathan Hladik, Center for Rural Affairs Energy Policy Advocate as they discuss work the Center for Rural Affairs is conducting on climate and energy.

When and Where:
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
7pm-9pm
Horizons Hotel
301 Plaza Drive (near the junction of Hwy 275 and Hwy 9)
West Point, Nebraska

“Attendees will learn about a variety of topics related to climate and weather including precipitation, planting dates and the impacts of changing climate patterns," continued Wolking. "I attended a similar workshop in Lincoln, and I learned a lot about climate and weather. We hope to see you there.”

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

Ratepayers can take a peek behind the Public Power curtain

Elisha Smith — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:57:47 +0000

Release Date:

04/24/2012

Contact(s):

Paul Mansoor, Center for Rural Affairs, paulm@cfra.org, (402) 687-2103 ext. 1022, or John Crabtree, Center for Rural Affairs, johnc@cfra.org or (402) 687-2100

Lyons, NE - During April and May the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is giving ratepayers a peek behind the curtain with several open houses across the state. Attendees can learn more about what goes on Behind the Outlet at NPPD.

Kearney will be the site of the next NPPD open house from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25 at the Holiday Inn.

“We applaud NPPD for holding these open houses and we’re doing everything we can to inform people about the meetings and encourage them to attend,” said Paul Mansoor, Energy Policy Advocate at the Center for Rural Affairs.

According to Mansoor, NPPD is considering spending $1.5 billion remodeling and refurbishing coal-fired power plants. And that decision, if arrived at, will drive investment away from renewable energy sources like wind generation. These open houses come after NPPD’s President went on record saying that wind cannot provide the energy that Nebraska needs at cheap prices.

“Investing in coal will cost Nebraskans in the long run,” explained Mansoor. “Renewable energy options, like wind, currently cost about the same as coal, and the price is coming down. Supporting wind energy in Nebraska would create thousands of jobs, and billions of dollars in economic development. It will also save ratepayers money in the long run.”

According to a recent Center for Rural Affairs report “Renewable Energy and Economic Potential,” a Nebraskan wind industry would bring over 30,000 jobs to the state, and an economic boost of $1.7 billion per year.

“We believe rural Nebraskans are ready to be a leader in wind energy,” suggested Mansoor. “Our state is sixth nationally in terms of wind potential, yet a dismal 18th in wind capacity. Although the wind blows in Nebraska, we’re not harnessing it.”

A recent survey revealed an amazing 94% of Nebraskans favorably regard wind. The Nebraska Renewable Energy poll was conducted by Global Strategy Group on behalf of the Center for Rural Affairs, American Wind Energy Association, Wind Coalition and Energy Foundation - all proponents of a strong, federal renewable electricity standard.

“Moreover,” Mansoor explained, “the cost of renewable energy is continually coming down. Investing in wind energy today means cheaper, cleaner, good jobs across rural Nebraska tomorrow.”

The Center for Rural Affairs encourages all supporters of low rates, good jobs, clean energy and plain common sense to attend and make sure your voice is heard loud and clear on Nebraska’s energy future.

When and Where:

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn
110 Second Avenue
Kearney, NE
Additional open houses sessions will be held at the following locations:

Thursday, April 26th, 2012
2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Cornhusker Marriot Hotel
333 S 13th Street
Lincoln, NE

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Divots Conference Center
4200 W Norfolk Avenue
Norfolk, NE

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

South Sioux City Farmers Market Prepares for First Season - Market Organizers Seeking Local Vendors

Elisha Smith — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:32:34 +0000

Release Date:

04/10/2012

Contact(s):

Amy Radding, Center for Rural Affairs, amyr@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1009 or Elisha Smith, Center for Rural Affairs, elishas@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1007

South Sioux City, NE - The South Sioux City Farmers Market, in preparation for its inaugural year of operation, is accepting vendor applications for the 2012 summer season.

The market, to be held on Sundays, will kick off June 3 at its location on East 5th Street between Dakota and A Street in South Sioux City, NE. It will be held weekly from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. until October 28. Market space is available for full season vendors to sell on other days of the week. Area farmers, local food producers, artisans, and food vendors are encouraged to apply for vendor space.

“The South Sioux Farmers Market aims to serve South Sioux City’s population as a place where local vendors can sell their homegrown, homemade items and local residents can buy fresh, local, homegrown and homemade foods and agricultural items,” said Amy Radding, Market Manager with the Center for Rural Affairs. “This market will accommodate both large, established vendors and small, new vendors.”

Vendor applications can be obtained by going to http://www.cfra.org/southsiouxfarmersmarket and downloading the form, or by calling (402) 687-2103 ext. 1009. The 2012 Market rules and regulations are also listed on the website or are available by mail.

Questions regarding the market should be directed to Amy Radding via email at amyr@cfra.org, or by phone at (402) 687-2103 ext. 1009.

Vendors are encouraged to apply by May 1.

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.

How Does Your Garden Grow? Four county collaboration hosts community food workshop series

Elisha Smith — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:46:48 +0000

Release Date:

04/05/2012

Contact(s):

Kathie Starkweather, kathies@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 617-7946 or Elisha Smith, elishas@cfra.org, Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1007

Lyons, NE - A local food system cooperative for Thayer, Clay, Fillmore and Nuckolls counties is slowly taking shape. The Center for Rural Affairs and Harold Stone of Stone’s Thoreau in Davenport, Nebraska, hope to advance the cooperative process by hosting a series of free trainings on basic gardening and growing for markets beginning this April. Programs will continue through August.

Mark Hintz, experienced fruit and vegetable grower and farmers market vendor, will kick off the workshop series on Thursday, April 12th at his farm near Hebron, Nebraska. Mark will share information on preparation and planning a garden. He will discuss starting plants indoors, dealing with transplanting, planning garden space for the entire season, selection of varieties and species, and enhancement with pollinator habitat.

“We are thrilled to have Mr. Hintz open up his operation for this first training,” said Kathie Starkweather, Rural Stewardship and Opportunities Program Director for the Center for Rural Affairs. “Gardeners can learn from his vast experience as a grower and as a seller at Farmers Markets.”

Moreover, according to Starkweather, the work Harold Stone is doing to develop small food based businesses in this region is something that will help local growers get their food into the hands of local residents. And the first training in this series is focused on providing the information necessary for farmers and market gardeners to help reach that goal.

What: Workshop on garden preparation and planning

Where: Mark Hintz Farm, 1610 Dove Road, Hebron, NE 68370

When: Thursday, April 12, 2012
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Please RSVP with name, address and email to Kathie Starkweather at kathies@cfra.org or call (402) 617-7946. A detailed agenda will be sent to all who RSVP.

“We hope that everyone in the area who is interested in developing a food based business will show up to learn the first, crucial steps in making that dream a reality,” Starkweather continued.

The workshop series continues on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, with a general overview of how gardeners can market produce for profit.

Other upcoming workshops include Chemical Free Growing Practices, Harvest, Garden Care, and Marketing Strategies.

For more information visit www.cfra.org.

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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The Center for Rural Affairs is a private nonprofit specializing in strengthening small businesses, rural communities, and family farms and ranches.