Fortenberry Receives Award

February 4, 2014 Leave a comment


Lyons, NE – The Center for Rural Affairs presented the inaugural George W. Norris Policymaker award to Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE). He was presented the award in Washington, D.C. by Center for Rural Affairs staff Traci Bruckner and Steph Larsen.  Fortenberry accepted the award on Wednesday, January 29th in the U.S. Capital just after voting on the Farm Bill.

“I am honored to accept the inaugural George Norris Policymaker Award.  It has been a privilege to work with fellow Nebraskans on policies important to the future of our state and rural America.  I’m particularly grateful for the Center for Rural Affairs’ focus on expanding economic opportunity in rural communities, renewable energy production, and help for beginning farmers and ranchers.  I greatly appreciate the Center’s commitment to the values of rural America which make our country strong.”

Representative Jeff Fortenberry.

“This is the first time we’ve presented this award,” said Traci Bruckner, Senior Policy Associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “However, our choice was clear. Representative Fortenberry has been a tireless champion in this long, arduous farm bill debate. He has stood up and fought for policies that would create a better future for rural and small town America. And he has done so irrespective of political obstacles.”

According to Bruckner, Rep. Fortenberry’s efforts to champion farm program payment limitation reforms in the Farm Bill, along with other ongoing efforts on behalf of beginning farmers and ranchers, were the primary reasons that the Center for Rural Affairs chose Rep. Fortenberry. The award was created to recognize just such political courage in a policymaker and champion of rural America’s public policy priorities.

“Representative Fortenberry has been a true champion for rural America. He has carried forward significant policy initiatives that will make a difference for rural people and communities,” added Bruckner. “And at the end of the day, he has not let go of his principles. We applaud him for voting no on the farm bill, that despite including many of the issues he pushed forward, it failed to include farm program payment limitations reform that was included in both bills but stripped in back room deal-making.”

Bruckner noted that Rep. Fortenberry’s efforts to reform federal farm programs and place real and effective caps on farm payments speaks for itself. For the first time in a generation we were successful in getting the House of Representatives to pass a farm bill that would have set strong payment limits and close farm program loopholes, noted Bruckner.

“Representative Fortenberry was the one who made that happen,” added Bruckner. “He was tireless, he left no stone unturned in looking for bipartisan support for these reforms. And he didn’t stop there, he championed and moved forward beginning farmer and rancher, local and regional food, and conservation initiatives as well as federal support for value added agriculture.”

The namesake for the Center for Rural Affairs George Norris Policymaker award ... Norris was a son of rural Ohio (the son of farmers) and later of rural Nebraska. Much of what Norris accomplished as a policymaker still benefits rural places across the nation and touches our daily work at the Center (public power, rural electrification, the Unicameral legislature). His public career was made in fighting corporate power used against rural people and rural places and bringing attention to the needs of rural and small town America. He believed in common people and their ability to influence government. Norris worked in a bipartisan nature throughout his public career (which is a major criterion for the Center’s award).

For a picture of Representative Fortenberry accepting his award, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfra/12225409585/

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Center for Rural Affairs Addresses Farm Bill

February 1, 2014 Leave a comment


Lyons, Nebraska – Last night, the House and Senate farm bill conference committee sent a compromise bill back to both chambers for a final, up-or-down vote. The Conferees had been working to reconcile the farm bills passed in the two chambers last year.

“We oppose the bill as reported out of conference committee,” said Traci Bruckner, Senior Policy Associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “The conference report stripped out bipartisan, bicameral actively engaged payment limitation reforms that passed both chambers. Moreover, it actually increases the nominal payment limits nearly threefold over current law.”

At a time of tight budgets, increasing rural poverty and growing income inequality this bill takes rural and small town America in the wrong direction.  Virtually unlimited farm program payments will continue to inure to the nation’s largest and wealthiest mega-farms. Those operations will continue to drive up land prices, drive their smaller neighbors out of business and limit opportunities for beginning and family farmers, Bruckner explained.

“We urge the House to reject the bill as reported out and send it back to conference for inclusion of the payment limit provisions,” said Bruckner.

Bruckner went on to explain that as the President delivers his State of the Union address tonight, he is expected to speak to growing income inequality. But this farm bill serves as an example of legislation that drives up rural income inequality. She called up the Administration to also urge Congress to return this bill to conference and include the provisions on payment limits and closure of loopholes.

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Center for Rural Affairs Testifies in Support of LB 887

January 31, 2014 Leave a comment


Lyons, Nebraska  –  Today, the Health and Human Services Committee is hearing public testimony on LB 887, the Wellness in Nebraska Act. LB 887 would expand Medicaid in Nebraska to provide coverage to Nebraskans making under 133% of the Federal Poverty Limit who are not otherwise qualified for Medicaid.

“For the health and well-being of Nebraska’s people, we urge the advancement of LB 887,” said Jon Bailey, Director of Rural Research and Analysis at the Center for Rural Affairs. “The failure of Nebraska to approve and implement the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act has created a coverage gap that an estimated 33,000 Nebraskans have fallen into. The coverage gap has real and significant ramifications for our citizens.”

According to Bailey’s testimony, there is essentially no help that that can be offered for Nebraskans that fall into the gap. They do not qualify for insurance marketplace tax credits because their incomes are too low. Consequently, even the least expensive insurance on the marketplace is generally unaffordable; and their employers do not provide health insurance.

“All that we can do and all that the ACA navigators can do is tell them the truth and send them on their way disappointed, frustrated and still uninsured,” explained Bailey.

The demographics, economy and the health insurance market in rural Nebraska make LB 887 critical for our rural residents. These people and their families rightfully deserve to be insured. It is simply immoral to enact a public policy of negligence that leaves them by the side of the road with no options and with the disappointment and frustration of being in the coverage gap. Most importantly, it is immoral to leave them without the ability to resolve their health care needs and without the tools to enhance their long-term health, Bailey testified.

“LB 887 will allow those in the coverage gap to become healthier and responsible health care consumers,” concluded Bailey.

To view or download a copy of Jon Bailey’s testimony for the Center for Rural affairs go to:

http://www.cfra.org/LB887Testimony

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Beginning Latino Farmer Workshops

January 18, 2014 Leave a comment


Lyons, Nebraska -The Center for Rural Affairs is hosting a 10 week series of beginning farmer workshops as part of their Beginning Latino Farmer Program. Workshops are designed for those in the Latino community who are interested in starting their own farm or ranch.

The series of 10 workshops will be held Sunday afternoons beginning February 16 and ending April 27. This is the third installment of the Latino Farmer Workshops, which are being brought to Columbus after having taken place in Lexington in the spring and fall of 2013.

Workshops are free and open to the public, and will be taught in Spanish. Attendees will build their capacity for agricultural success, learning business management, financial literacy, and leadership tools.  Expert speakers will present on topics such as producer associations and marketing. At the end of the series, attendees will have the opportunity to visit specific area farms, participating in more hands-on workshops, to learn more about direct-marketing and crop and animal handling.

“The goal of the program is to help aspiring and beginning Latino farmers become viable producers and be connected to the resources necessary to be successful,” said Erin Frank with the Center for Rural Affairs. “One of the most important resources can be the Farm Service Agency. We always bring someone in from FSA to discuss their loan programs, especially their new microloan program, which is built for beginning and alternative farmers.”

What:  Beginning Latino Farmer Program
When and Where:
Start date:  Sunday, February 16th
Workshops run every Sunday (10 in total) through April 27th
No class will be held on April 20 in observance of  Easter Sunday
Time:  4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location:  Centro Hispano Comunitario (located in the Family Resource Center)
3020 18th Street, Ste. 7, Columbus, NE 68601

 

Potential attendees should contact Erin Frank at erinf@cfra.org or (402) 822-0066 to receive a detailed itinerary and to sign up.

 

Potential attendees should contact Erin Frank at erinf@cfra.org or (402) 822-0066 to receive a detailed itinerary and to sign up.

 

 

 

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Center for Rural Affairs Receives Grant

December 3, 2013 Leave a comment


Lyons, NE – The Center for Rural Affairs is pleased to announce that they are one of 71 projects spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia receiving support this year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm to School Program, an effort to better connect school cafeterias and students with local farmers and ranchers. The Lyons, Nebraska, non-profit organization the Center for Rural Affairs received a $99,600 support service grant, “Growing Connections for Farm to School: Networking and training to bring farmers and schools together” to impact students across ten schools and beyond.
“In rural and urban communities across the country, farm to school is teaching students where food comes from and how it gets to their plate, and encouraging them to make healthier food choices in the cafeteria and at home,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Farm to school programs are an investment in the health of our nation’s children and in the vibrancy of rural economies.”

Kathie Starkweather Director of Opportunities & Stewardship with the Center for Rural Affairs said, “We are excited to be able to move Farm to School into the forefront in Nebraska. It not only allows for healthier food choices for our children but it helps them understand where their food comes from and also will have an impact on local economies as local farmers supply food to schools across the state. As some of these young minds understand where and how the food they eat is grown, it might just open up an opportunity to nurture new farmers for our future, too.”

USDA Farm to School grants help schools respond to the growing demand for locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, including food processors, manufacturers, and distributors. Grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes.

The Center for Rural Affairs will use support service funds to provide training and technical assistance to both farmers and food service personnel on how to start a Farm to School program. The Center will work alongside farmers and ten schools to facilitate the connections that need to be made for successful Farm to School programs. In addition, training will be offered in farm food safety and usage for farmers and school food service personnel. Two convenings will be held to introduce farmers to food service personnel, and year two will include invitations to key people in the state who will be able to hear the success stories of programs started through this work.

According to Starkweather, two schools committed to participating in the project when the application was completed: Bancroft-Rosalie and the Santee Community school. Partners on the project include the Nebraska Department of Education Nutritional Services, the Nebraska Food Cooperative, and the Nebraska Farmers Union. In addition, we are fortunate to have the expertise of Mrs. Linda Truscott, a long-time food service director at Norris school who runs a successful long-term Farm to School program. The types of local products that students will be trying this year include a variety of fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, eggs and meat. Please visitwww.cfra.org in the upcoming months to see how the project is progressing and the Center for Rural Affairs’ Farm to School Facebook page can be found here:https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaFarmToSchoolProgram

USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food. USDA’s Farm to School Program is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which authorized USDA to provide grants and technical assistance to help schools gain better access to local foods. For a complete list of fiscal year 2014 Farm to School grant recipients, please see: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2014_Grant_Award_Summaries.pdf.
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Center for Rural Affairs: More wind energy

October 11, 2013 Leave a comment


Rural Leaders urge NPPD wind investment
Lyons, Nebraska – Today, the Center for Rural Affairs released a letter signed by 28 rural and small town community leaders in medicine, education, agriculture, business, economic development and the faith community, urging the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) to make investments in rural and small town Nebraska’s energy future by purchasing locally produced wind power at today’s historically low rates.

“An investment in Nebraska wind power is an investment in the future of our communities, and that’s crucial to all of us,” June Simpson, Silver Hills Winery, Burt County, Nebraska

“The affordability of wind energy and the local economic development these technologies create, along with growing health concerns, all require that we take advantage of the present opportunity,” said Simpson.
According to Lu Nelsen of the Center for Rural Affairs, the NPPD board of directors will vote on Friday, October 11th, on increasing the district’s wind energy purchases.
“This is a crucial vote, because the NPPD board has a chance to have a much greater positive impact on our state and communities by increasing their investment in wind energy,” said Nelsen. “Wind energy has never been cheaper, increasing our investment now will help us move away from dirtier energy sources, and it brings economic opportunities to our rural communities. The same tired arguments, focusing on cost and intermittency, lose credibility each day as utilities in bordering states continue to invest in their local economies.”
The joint letter also focuses on the economic potential of wind energy development, and points out that, unfortunately, Nebraska ranks only 25th in installed wind capacity, far behind neighboring states like Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, and Colorado but also behind such states as Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
“The economic development potential these investments create can be astounding,” added Patty Plugge, Burt County Economic Development Director. “Wind power installations result in total county-level personal income of approximately $11,000 per megawatt and create an additional 0.5 jobs per megawatt.”
“All of us depend on reliable, affordable electricity,” concluded Nelsen. “However, the $2.7 billion dollars Nebraskans spend annually to meet our electricity needs can be managed more productively. More of it should be invested in purchasing Nebraska wind energy.”
The joint letter to the NPPD board includes signatures of farmers, ranchers, small business owners, healthcare providers, and educators as well as community, civic and faith leaders from across Nebraska. The letter will be delivered today during the public session of the NPPD board of directors meeting in Columbus, Nebraska.

To view or download a complete copy of the letter and list of signatories, go to:  http://files.cfra.org/pdf/nppd-sign-on-letter.pdf

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Center for Rural Affairs: Wind Energy

October 11, 2013 Leave a comment


NPPD rejects investment in wind
Lyons, Nebraska – Today, the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) board of directors voted, 6 to 3, to reject proposals to increase the district’s wind energy purchases.

Public power means doing more than lining the pockets of out-of-state companies. The same tired arguments, focusing on cost and intermittency, lose credibility each day as utilities in bordering states continue to invest in their local economy. If wind energy works there, it can work here. Nebraskans deserve better.

Johnathan Hladik, Senior Policy Advocate, Center for Rural Affairs

“In the discussion, board member Ed Schrock made the claim that there are no NPPD customers that want to invest in more wind,” said Hladik. “But that simply isn’t the reality, it runs counter to our experience. Farmers, ranchers, business owners, educators, healthcare providers and many other rural and small town Nebraskans have told us, directly, unequivocally, that they support investing in wind.”
According to Hladik, NPPD directors Mary Harding of Denton, Fred Christensen of Lyons, and Second Vice Chairman Gary Thompson of Beatrice all voted in favor of investing in more wind generated electricity. The remainder of the board voted to reject any additional wind investments.
“The Center for Rural Affairs also wants to acknowledge Mary Harding, Fred Christensen and Gary Thompson for all their efforts on these issues,” said Hladik. “Their hard work and persistence demonstrate the kind of true leadership that rural Nebraskans want and need to help create a better future across Nebraska.”
“The vote today demonstrates that the only way to change the direction of NPPD on this issue is if constituents stand up, hold the boards’ feet to the fire, and urge them to invest more in wind energy. If their constituents speak out, we can hope for more leadership from other board members. The kind of leadership that Gary, Mary and Fred showed today, the kind of leadership that rural and small town Nebraskans elected them to provide,” concluded Hladik.
In advance of the vote, the Center for Rural Affairs shared a letter signed by 28 rural and small town community leaders in medicine, education, agriculture, economic development and the faith community, with the NPPD board urging them to make investments in rural and small town Nebraska’s energy future by purchasing locally produced wind power at today’s historically low rates.

The public release of that letter, along with the full text of the letter and signatories, can be viewed or downloaded at http://files.cfra.org/pdf/nppd-sign-on-letter.pdf

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