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POLICY
Rural Broadband Access Key to Success
Only 38 percent of rural Americans have access to a high-speed internet connection, while in urban areas 58 percent of people have access to a high-speed connection. In fact, living in a rural area is a greater indicator than either race or income in predicting access to a high-speed connection. A vibrant future for rural America will require public policy that rectifies this situation. Continue.

Corporate Farming Notes: Permit Granted for Mega-Dairy Despite Intense Local Opposition
In Jo Daviess County, Illinois, a particularly disconcerting brand of corporate farming is coming to town. Perhaps I am biased because I know so many dairy farmers in northeast Iowa, southwest Wisconsin, and northwest Illinois, but I find the location of an 11,000 head (or more) mega-dairy so close to the heart of family farm dairy country is the epitome of adding insult to injury. Continue reading.

COMMUNITY
Farm Bill Program Continues Financing Business for a Better Rural America
Small businesses make up the backbone of many rural communities and are a major force in creating jobs. One program within the 2008 Farm Bill that helps start or grow rural businesses is the Rural Business and Industry Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. While not new, this program finances businesses to foster a better economic climate in rural communities. Continue.

High and Low Achieving Rural Schools Differences
With a global knowledge-based economy and new emerging drivers to rural economies, high-achieving rural schools are an absolute necessity. Yet there exists little research on how to develop such schools, particularly in economically and demographically challenged rural communities. Continue reading.

Local Ownership, Young People & Rural Communities
In our hometown of Lyons, Nebraska (pop. 950), a relatively strange sight has appeared - young people between the ages of 20 and 30. If you live in a rural community in the Upper Midwest, you know what I'm talking about. In a town of 1,000, it can feel like 900 are either over 60 or under 18. Continue.

AGRICULTURE
Family Farmers Possess Vested Interest in Organic Dairy Standards
All family farmers and consumers have a stake in the raging battle over what it takes to be considered an organic dairy. The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin organization that advocates economic justice for family farmers, has been leading the fight against "corporate organic" mega dairy farms. Continue.

Good Decision Making Minds the Present and Future
Our 35 years of decision making have taught us that good decisions are based on what is best for our local community and beyond, for this generation and future generations. An early meeting with a Sandhills irrigator taught me something I will never forget. Continue reading.

Nebraska Agriculture Finance Program Changes
The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) assists agricultural Nebraska with its Beginning Farmer/Rancher Program, which offers loans for the purchase of agricultural real and personal property. The new farm bill changed some program limits. Continue.

Comings and Goings at the Center
The Center welcomes Steph Larsen as our new rural policy organizer working on health care, rural development, and farm issues. As we welcome Steph, we reluctantly bid farewell to Dan Owens, who is departing after two years of work as the Center's grassroots organizer. Continue reading .