Public News Service

A field of sunflowers is shown on fourth-generation Koelling land in Ord, Nebraska. The Koellings grew their sunflower oil business with the help of the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program. (Photo courtesy of Alan Koelling, Simply Sunflowers)

Federal funds back renewable energy, efficiency upgrades for NE ag, small business

Nebraska ag producers and small businesses have until Sept. 30 to apply for the latest funding round of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural …

In an article on the Food and Water Watch website, reporter Rebecca Wolf writes,

New organic rules for livestock: What will they mean?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Deborah Van Fleet for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Coll…

According to EPA statistics, only about one-third of the nation's roughly 21,000 CAFOs have permits regulating their discharge of waste. (eyetronic/Adobe Stock)

Nebraskans get advice on dealing with growing number of CAFOs

Iowa has thousands fewer square miles than Nebraska but it has almost 3,000 more concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs. Opponents of the …

Use of cover crops, such as winter wheat, can help water and nutrients penetrate the soil and smother weeds, leading to better corn crops. (Magnus/Adobe Stock)

NE youth hopeful for regenerative ag, sustainability after D.C. conference

Three members of Nebraska's student-run climate advocacy organization Students for Sustainability were among the youngest participants at the recent C…

In 2023, the Farm Service Agency enrolled 2.7 million acres to its Grassland Conservation Reserve Program out of more than 4.6 million acres offered by landowners. (MarekPhotoDesign.com/Adobe Stock)

Friday deadline for 2024 USDA grassland conservation program

Farm producers and landowners have until the end of this week to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency's Grasslands …

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, U.S. agricultural workers face an average of 21 unsafe working days per summer growing season because of heat. (KUBE/Adobe Stock)

NE farmworkers, others face heightened risks of heat, humidity

Sunday is Global Heat Action Day, to raise awareness about the risks posed by heat and ways to stay safe. In Nebraska and across the Midwest…

Downtown Winnebago is in northeast Nebraska's Thurston County. The Ho-Chunk Village housing development can be seen in the background. (Photo courtesy HCCDC)

Winnebago Tribe's development corp earns top rating, $2 million grant

The Nebraska Winnebago Tribe's Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation, or HCCDC, has been awarded $2 million through MacKenzie Scott's Yield …

Cover crops and other regenerative practices prevent erosion, improve soil health and can absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere and

Experienced NE farmer talks cattle, cover crops and regenerative agriculture

One of the goals included in Nebraska's Department of Environment and Energy's Priority Climate Action Plan recently submitted to the federal Environm…

Since 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program has awarded nearly $68 million in low-interest loans and $17 million in grants to rural microentrepreneurs. (Andriy Blokhin/Adobe Stock)

Renewing and revising USDA's RMAP benefits NE small towns

Dozens of Microenterprise Development Organizations from 28 states, including Nebraska's Center for Rural Affairs, have signed a letter urging …

According to the National Association of Broadcasters, 82 million Americans depend on AM radio each month for news, entertainment and safety. (thexfilephoto/Adobe Stock)

Requiring AM radio in vehicles benefits rural Nebraskans

The passage of a bipartisan, bicameral bill in the U.S. Congress would be very beneficial to people in rural parts of Nebraska. It could also make …

As of 2021, there were more than 17,000 farms with at least one certified organic crop, compared with only around 150 certified biodynamic farms in the United States. (sjredwin1/Adobe Stock)

Biodynamic farming views farms as living organism for greater sustainability

By Ellie Kuckelman for The Reader.Broadcast version by Deborah Van Fleet for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-P…

More than 100 U.S. crops depend on pollinators, which provided approximately $18 billion of value in 2020. In Nebraska, fruit orchards and melon crops in particular are dependent upon honeybee pollination. (kosolovsky/Adobe Stock)

Seasoned NE Beekeeper Abuzz Over Bee Lawns, Other Bee-Friendly Practices

Bees and other pollinators are indispensable to a huge number of crops, and in Nebraska as well as across the country their numbers have been …

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture expected to grant more than $800,000 in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant dollars in 2023. (trongnguyen/Adobe Stock)

Students at Eight Rural NE Schools To Learn 'Specialty Crop' Production

Students in eight rural Nebraska schools will soon be getting hands-on experience in "specialty crop" production thanks to a two-year U.S. Department …

In addition to their use in crop spraying, drones can help farmers and researchers assess how their plants, animals and property are being affected by

Community Colleges Help Build NE 'Precision Ag' Workforce

Agriculture plays a huge role in Nebraska's economy, and it is the topic of a bill in Congress getting rare bipartisan support. The Community …

Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts were established in 1972

NE Water District Protects Quantity, Quality for Future Generations

Groundwater decline is a serious problem in parts of the country, but not in the Lower Republican Natural Resources District in south-central …

The Whooping Crane -- the tallest bird in North America -- is known to make stopovers on the Platte River in Nebraska. Conservation efforts have increased the Whooping Crane population from a low of about 20 birds in the 1940s to an estimated 600 today. (Adobe Stock)

Recovering America's Wildlife Act Helps Wildlife, Farmers and Ranchers

CORRECTION: The number of species at risk in Nebraska is nearly 800. A previous version of the story listed only those the state currently considers …

The USDA says the goal of the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program is to

CFRA's New Loan Program Helps Small to Medium-Sized Meat Processors

Nebraska's small and medium-sized meat processors may be improving and/or expanding their businesses thanks to a new lower-interest loan program desig…

One goal of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is to ensure reliable, high-speed internet access for every American. (Debra Millet/Adobe Stock)

REDI Act: Help with Economic Development for NE Small Towns

A bill in the Nebraska Legislature would give small communities some help in applying for and administering federal grant money. Remote working …

According to the American Council on Aging, the average

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More NE Long-Term Care Facilities Risk Closure Without Funding

Nebraska's long-term care facilities face staffing shortages and other factors that could lead to more closures if state funding isn't increased…

Aaron LaPointe, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, inspects an ear of organically grown traditional Indian corn. (Photo courtesy Ho-Chunk, Inc.)

NE's Ho-Chunk Farms to Focus on Conservation in 2023

A northeast Nebraska farming operation is starting the new year with an even bigger commitment to conservation, and they hope other farms take note…

Inflation Reduction Act to Help NE Farms Fight Climate Change

Nebraska farmers and ranchers who have struggled with climate-related issues like flooding and drought are expected to benefit in the new year from th…

According to Consumer Reports, crowded windowless

Study Points to Poultry Litter as Source of NE Water Pollution

A new study is focused on concerns for Nebraska waterways. The three-year, independently funded research identifies rising levels of phosphorus and …

Makerspaces allow Native American youths, communities and teachers to engage with culturally connected making activities using high- and low-tech materials, leveraging existing indigenous technologies and craft practices. (Adobe Stock)

Native American Makerspace Coming Soon to Macy and Santee

The Center for Rural Affairs is launching collaborative work spaces on Nebraska Indian Community College campuses in Macy and Santee for making…

Western Nebraska is home to food deserts, where there is no easy way to get good, healthy food regularly, which disproportionately impact seniors in rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

Reimagining Ways to Get Struggling Nebraska Families Back on Track

With a new legislative session on the horizon and new legislators after the November elections, the Coalition for a Strong Nebraska is bringing …

When a carbon dioxide pipe exploded in Satartia, Miss., in 2020, the Huffington Post reported,

NE Groups Take on a New Kind of Pipeline Fight

A Nebraska group that led the fight against the Keystone X-L Pipeline has turned its attention to a different environmental cause. Bold Alliance…

Nebraska is home to many industrial-scale operations, where livestock live in densely populated, confined quarters. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Nebraskans Urge Better State Management of Factory Farm Animal Waste

Clean-water advocates are urging the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to do more to protect drinking water and soil quality impacted by i…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers training for military veterans, and has grant programs available to help purchase and develop land and facilities, as well as equipment and supplies.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Military Veterans Wanted for Service in Ag Industry

This winter, military veterans will have an opportunity to translate hard-won skills on the battlefield into Nebraska's fields and pastures through …

Farmers face startup costs to diversify their crop rotations, but experts say the move can mean lower overall costs over the long run. (Adobe Stock)

Old Ideas About Farming Offer New Alternatives

The resilience of the U.S. food supply to disasters has become even more important in the time of climate change. Nebraska farmers, like others…

Planting native flowering plants in your yard instead of grass can help restore critical habitat for struggling pollinator species. (Adobe Stock)

Wanted: Next-Generation Beekeepers for Nebraska Farms

With the age of Nebraska's farmers and beekeepers on the rise, bee enthusiasts are encouraging more young people to check out the Great Plains Master …

Small to mid-sized meat processors must operate as either a USDA-FSIS facility or a federally regulated custom-exempt slaughter and processing facility, while also complying with federal regulations, to qualify for a new grant program. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska’s Smaller Meat Lockers Challenged to Ramp Up Capacity

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants through the Independent Processor Assistance Program. Johnathan Hladik…

Students who complete a post-graduate degree or certificate are more likely to earn far more money over their lifetime than students with just a high school diploma. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Struggles to Get Students Back into College

The COVID public health emergency forced many Nebraska students to put their college careers on hold. More than 300,000 Nebraskans have completed …

Loss of rural populations to urban centers has caused many hospitals in Nebraska to reconfigure their budgets. (Adobe Stock)

Keys to Keeping Nebraska's Rural Hospital Doors Open

Without federal intervention, a new report warns, rural hospitals across the United States, including many in Nebraska, could be forced to reduce …

Historically rich organic matter in topsoil in America's heartland, called the A horizon, has been completely removed from approximately one third of lands across the Midwest. (Adobe Stock)

Restoring Soil Through Carbon Sequestering Benefits Farmers, Climate

With Nebraska farmers facing runaway costs for herbicides and fertilizers this year, a new Center for Rural Affairs report suggested adopting simple …

Se estima que cada d�lar gastado en los mercados de agricultores genera $3 en actividad econ�mica y tiende a permanecer en Nebraska, a diferencia de las cadenas de supermercados. (Adobe Stock)

Programa duplica dinero a participantes de SNAP en mercados de agricultores

Una señal de la primavera en Nebraska es el regreso de los mercados de agricultores locales, y las familias que participan en SNAP, el programa …

It's estimated that every dollar spent at farmers markets generates $3 in economic activity, and tends to stay in Nebraska, unlike at grocery chains. (Adobe Stock)

Program Doubles Food Budget for SNAP Participants at Farmers Markets

One sign of springtime in Nebraska is the return of local farmers markets, and families participating in SNAP - the program formerly known as food …

Just four meat-processing giants control more than 80% of the beef industry and more than 60% of the pork industry. A report says this enables them to dictate prices that both flatten returns for farmers and ranchers and inflate prices for consumers at the meat counter. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Corporate Profiteering Fueling Inflation

A new report confirms what it said CEOs have been telling shareholders for months: Inflation has been very good for business. Lindsay Owens…

Nebraska's current nurse shortage is expected to grow to 5,000 by 2025. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Would Tap American Rescue Plan Dollars for Nursing Scholarships

Nebraska lawmakers are set to hear a measure Friday which would tap unspent federal COVID relief dollars to help address what some are calling a healt…

After COVID shuttered large meat-packing operations, many Nebraskans were able to purchase locally produced meat processed at local lockers. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Make Case for Expanding Main Street Meat Lockers

Advocates for independent rural farmers are urging state lawmakers to beef up mom-and-pop meat processing and storage capacity using American Rescue P…

Advocates for extending pandemic-related universal free school meals say the program helps remove the stigma of so-called

Congress Urged to Make Free School Meal Program Permanent

GOTHENBURG, Neb. -- During the COVID health emergency, the federal government made school meals available for free to all students, regardless of …

Nine out of ten U.S. consumers say they are more likely to shop at a small business that friends or peers have recommended. (Adobe Stock)

Reasons to Shop Local This Holiday Season

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Locally produced honey, artwork and handmade scarves and sweaters will not be stuck on a container ship this holiday season…

Beginning in 2022, Nebraska's Department of Education will begin offering farm-to-school producer training in various regions of the state. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Farmers Fueling Students with Locally Produced Food

GERING, Neb. -- With school back in session, many Nebraska students will be fueled by fresh beef, fruits and vegetables sourced from local farms…

Microenterprise businesses, with five employees or fewer, make up more than 85% of all businesses in Nebraska. (Adobe Stock)

Time to Get in Line for Small Business Tax Credits

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska businesses with no more than five employees now can apply for up to $20,000 in tax credits. Johnathan Hladik, policy …

Federal food assistance programs, including SNAP and Nebraska's Farmers Market Nutrition Program for seniors and families with children, ensure that farmers get fair market prices for their goods. (Adobe Stock)

Double Up Food Bucks Program Boosts Farmer’s Markets

LINCOLN, Neb. -- After a new state law expanded eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the program formerly known as …

In Nebraska, the homeownership rate for Latino residents is 42%, compared with 70% for non-Latino white residents. (SOS Wildlife Control)

Home Loan Program Aims to Boost Rural Economies

LYONS, Neb. -- Homeownership remains out of reach for many hard-working Nebraska families because of stagnant wages and lack of access to traditional …

At least 7,382 COVID-19 cases have been traced to meatpacking plants across the state since the start of the COVID public health emergency. (Kansas State Research and Extension/Flickr)

Nebraska Lawmakers to Debate Meatpacking Worker Protections

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska lawmakers are scheduled to debate the Meatpacking Employees COVID-19 Protection Act today. Sen. Tony Vargas, D-Omaha…

A 2018 audit found that applicants for the Nebraska's Microenterprise Tax Credit program had an estimated cost per job between $2,349 and $10,655. (Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant)

Nebraska's COVID Economic Recovery Linked to Microenterprise Tax Credit

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The coronavirus pandemic has caused many Nebraska businesses to shutter, and is forcing others to pause plans for future growth…

Common halictid bee populations have declined by 17% since 1990, while the rarer Melittidae have dropped by 41%. (Bob Peterson/Wikimedia Commons)

Study: Global Bee Populations on Decline

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A new study confirms mounting evidence bee populations are on the decline in Nebraska and across the globe. Researchers scoured an …

Due to COVID-related backlogs at processing plants, Nebraska farmers must make reservations more than one year before animals are born. (Frauke Feind/Pixabay)

Lawmakers Urged to Break Meat Supply-Chain Logjam

OAKLAND, Neb. -- Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill to provide some relief for meat supply chains by allowing consumers to purchase smaller …

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NE: Rural/Farming