Welcome to the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative!
The mission of the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative is to engage the widest possible range of knowledge, skills and creativity of the four campuses--Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha and the Medical Center--upon stabilizing and enhancing the economy and quality of life in rural Nebraska.
The goals of the Rural Initiative are to:
-- Connect Nebraskans with knowledge relevant to building their futures
-- Originate and support research that benefits community, regional and economic development in nonmetropolitan areas of Nebraska, and
-- Spur innovation, investment and wise use of resources to benefit Nebraska.
- Nebraska Local Foods Network (NLFN) conference July 9 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Promoting local food is the goal of the Nebraska Local Foods Network Conference, which will bring together numerous speakers including Judy Gilliard, an author, chef and host of the Judy ala carte show on Lincoln's KFOR radio. Click on the link above for an agenda and registration information.
For more information about production and consumption of local foods in Nebraska , visit the Nebraska Local Foods Network website.
- 2007 Census of Agriculture Reports
The Census of Agriculture provides us with important measures of changes that are occurring in the industry with regard to farm numbers, size, ownership and income. The short reports presented here (click on the above link to our "Research Overview" page) highlight some of what we believe to be the most important trends in Nebraska's largest industry.
- Rural Initiative Web site details economic and demographic data of Nebraska counties
Click on the link below for complete data on each county. Click on the link above for a news release that summarizes the rural demographic trends uncovered by the data.
- Clickable Nebraska County Map of Demographic & Economic Data
Counties are in colored blocks showing Nebraska Legislative Districts. Click on a county for a summary of 2007 data on population, employment, income and earnings in that county..
- Landowner Wind Associations in the West:
This draft document by Tony Frank and Bill Midcap of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union describes a landowner association model for large wind development projects. Driven by the owners of windy lands, it promises to facilitate much larger scale development with less time spent, more cooperation from landowners, and greater benefits to both developers and local communities. This report is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Landowners should consult an attorney.
- Nebraska Wind Resource Map
The Department of Energy's Wind Program and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) published a new wind resource map for the state of Nebraska. Click on the above link to read about Nebraska wind resources and view or print the map.
- Link to the latest news from rural development organizations
25 links to newsletters from rural development organizations in Nebraska, the midlands, and across the nation.
- See selected articles on rural issues below.
