CFRA 022009 Clips

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8 www.NebraskaFarmer.com - February 2009

NEBRiSIC4 FARhIER hfONTHLY

LINCOLN, NE Clrculatmn = 36513

02/00/2009

Newswatch .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ! February

10: NebraskaNo-Till Conference, UNL Agricultural Research and Development Center, Mead. Call 402-624-8030.

10-11: 2009 Nebraska Beef Feedlot Roundtable: 10, Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk; 11, Holiday Inn Express, Lexington; 12, Prairie Winds Community Center, Bridgeport. Call 308-632-1397.

11: Nebraska No-Till conference, Ag Center, Holdrege. Call 402-624-8030.

13-14: Healthy Farms/Rural Advan- tage Conference, hosted by the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society and UNL Extension, Midtown Holiday Inn, Grand Island. Call 402-639-2760 or visit www. nebsusag. org.

14-15: Horsin' Around Conference, RB Warren Arena, Animal Science Complex, University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus. Call 402-472-641 1.

16-18: Nebraska Aviation Trades Association annual convention, Midtown Holiday Inn, Grand Island. Call 402-475- NATA.

17-22: Annual Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic, Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kearney. Call 308-237-7592 or 308-627- 6385.

17-18: Nebraska Dairy Convention, New World Inn, hosted by the Nebraska State Dairy Association, Columbus. Call 402-592-3355 or go to www.nebraska rnilk.org.

IS: Integrated Weed Management Workshop, East Union, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Call 402-472-1 730 or e-mail Cathy Dickinson at cdickinson2Q urt/.edu for more information. Register at estore.adec. edu.

---- 18-24: Cornhsker ~ c o n o m i c g Man-

agement and Outlook Conferences: 18, Buffalo County Extgension office, Kearney; 19, Grey Goose Lodge, Ogallala; 20. Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff; 23, Kimmel Education and Research Center, Nebraska City; 24, Dusters Restaurant, Columbus. For details, go to www.agecon.unl.edu/ resource/cernoc. hfrnl.

24-25: Central Plains Irrigation Conference, City Limits Convention Center, Colby, Kan. Call 785-462-7574.

25: Marketplace: Opening Doors to Success, sponsored by the Lyons- based Center for Rural Affairs, Sandhills Convention Center, North Platte. Call 402-687-2 103.

25-26: Nebraska Pork Industry Day, Cornhusker Marriott, Lincoln. Call 888- 627-7675.

25-26: Nebraska Poultry Industries annual convention, New World Inn & Conference Center, Columbus. Call 402- 472-2051.

26-27: Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference, Holiday Inn, Kearney. Go to wia.unl.edu/prograrns/con ference.htrn1 for the program agenda.

March 4: Nebraska Soybean and Feed Grains

Profitability Project On-F+rm Research Update, UNL Agricufiural Research and Extension Center, Mead. Call 402-624- 8030.

45: Governor's Ag Conference, Holiday Inn, Kearney. Call 800-831- 0550 o r 402-471-6856 or go to www.agr. ne.goo.

57: Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Forum and Trade Show, Holiday Inn, Kearney. Call 402-472-8747 or 402- 472-5136.

April 2-3: "Ethanol 2009: Emerging Issues

Forum," Magnolia Hotel, Omaha. Call 402-471-2941 or go to www.neeffranol. org/forurn2009.

June 1419: 2009 Nebraska Water Tour of

California Water Projects. Call 308-237- 3168.

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MONITOR THURSDAY WEEKLY BLOOMFIELD, NE Circulation = 1405

01/22/2009

1 Center for Rural Affairs 1 1 > .

Res~onds to Gouer~ior's Budget I

k. * . .- Small Business and Rural Devel- opment Takes a Hit = LYONS - Today the Center for Ru- ral Affairs sharply criticized Governor Heineman's proposed budget.

The Governor's budget slashes funding by two-thirds for both the Microenterprise Partnership Fund,

,,. Nebraska's small business and micro- "enterprise devclopnient program, and ::< the Building Entrepreneurial Commu- ,; , .:' nities Act, thc state's rural community

devclopinent grant program. "We understand the need for tight-

ening bclts i n difficult times. But we don't understand singling out small busiriess and rural development for disproportionate cuts at precisely the time we should be investing in proven strategies to reinvigorate the economy and revitalize rural con~munities," said Chuck Hassebrook, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Affairs.

In this time of economic downturn thcrc is no better way to invest our lii;litcd state dollai-s than prograins that look towards thc future and build a niorc robust and resilient economy in our sniall towns.

Nc1,raska Senators made a wise choice in 2007 when they doubled funding for the Building Entrepreneu- rial Cornmunitics Act to $500,000.

With demand increasing for the @rog~atn,-a growing need and-demonstrated success, Nebraska senators-. should continue support for this program at least $500,000 annually.

Microentcrprises and small businesscs are a rr~ajor part of' Nebraska's economy. And in a time of economic Ilnrtiships, it is a wise investment to. provide opportunity and economic

-growth to businesses that create new jobs and innovation in rural cornmuni- aics.

In 2007, Nebraska Senators wisely dedicated $1.5 million to support the Nebraska Microenterprise Develop- rncnt Act. They should maintain the samc level of funding for the program even in these tight cconolnic times.

"The Governor's proposed budget maintains funding for the Nebraska Value Added Agriculture Program at

- $850,000 We applaud that move," stated Hasscbrook

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MONITOR THURSDAY WEEKLY BLOOMFIELD, NE Circulation = 1405 i

-rTake Advantage of Early Bird Registration - Limited Registrations

"Entrepreneurship and small businesses are a major part of Nebraska's economy and especially important during times of economic hardships," said Chuck Hassebrook, executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs. "Mar- ketplace is for those committed to creating their own opportunities and shap- ing their own destiny through entrepreneurship. It offcrs a space to share ideas , and learn from each other."

i Marketplace educational tracks in-

preneurs with ideas for start-up businesses, established businesses, agricultural businesses, and youth businesses will find topics of interest. There will also be sessions covering ideas for ,

entrepreneurial communitics, and prac- tical rural policy perspectives.

Thrce pre-conference sessions are also being offered this year on Tuesday =

afternoon, Feb. 24 at Mid-Plains Corn- ; munity College. These focus on mar- -

keting, media, and promotion; think I tanks and incubators for a community; -

and intellectual property. For more information on Market- ,

- . Date: - i r -

Thursday, February 5,2009 ~p ,,c,,,,,,~, COURIER-TIMES

SUTHERLAND, Nebraska

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Center for Rural Affairs Provides Nebraska Legislative U ~ d a t e

1 Legislative Leadership. 0% of the initial tasks of the new Legislature was to elect its

leadership.-Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk was re-elected Speaker. he ~ e ~ i s l a t u r e also elected chairs for each of its committees. Among the elected committee chairs are: Agriculture, Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege; Appropriations. Se,n. Lavon Heidemann of Elk Creek; Education, Sen. Greg Adams of York; Natural Resources, Sen. Chris Langemeier of Schuyler; and Revenue, Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue.

Governor Proposes Status Quo Budget. Major Cuts in Rural Development Programs. On January 15, the Governor presented his budget proposal for the two-year biennium beginning July 1, 2009. Generally, the budget is a status quo one following the Governor's philosophy of no new spending and no tax increases. Obviously, the Governor and the Legislature have their eye on a worsening economy despite the fact that Nebraska has the largest reserve fund in history. The Governor did recommend some serious decreases in funding for important rural development programs. The Governor recommended eliminating the $1 million cash fund transfer appropriation to the Microenterprise Partnership Fund done in the last state budget. He did recommend maintaining the general fund appropriation of $497,500 per year for the Microenterprise Partnership Fund. Thus, the Governor recommends decreasing by half funding for the Microenterprise Partnership Fund. The Governor also recommended eliminating the $250,000 cash fund transfer to the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act program done in the last biennial budget and reducing the general fund appropr~ation of the program to $150,000 per year (from $250,000 per year). The Governor did recommend increased spending on a few big ticket items - $230 million to continue the property tax credit program; $100 million extra for K-12 state aid; $25.6 million additional for the University system; $4 million additional for the state and community college systems; and $5 million per year for several proposals to deal with family and children and behavioral health issues that came to light in the Save Haven law. Legislative Lingo. Throughout the course of these updates, we will be using certain terms that describe where a bill is in the legislative process. Here is a brief guide to those terms and some basic legislative procedure:

Committees have a number of options for each bill - send as introduced to the full Legislature for General File, send to General File with amendments, Indefinitely Postpone (or kill) the bill, or hold the bill over to the 2008 session .

Once a bill is sent to the full Legislature out of committee, it faces three stages of debate - General File, Select File and Final Reading.

' At the General File and Select File stages a bill can be amended; a bill cannot be amended at the Final Reading stage.

As bills are killed in committee or become law through floor stages, they will be deleted from the Legislative Update.

Universal Information Services , Inc. http:llnews.universaI-info.com Page: 111 Profile: 111 - Center for Rural Affairs Recipient: John Crabtree

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(402) 342-31 78

NEMAHA CO. HER4LD FRIDAY WEEKLY AUBURN, NE Circulation = 2628

01 /29/2009

a Nebraska Enterprise Fund Supports Feb. 24 -

Small ~usiness-conference in korth Platte I I

The Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF) recently awarded the Center for Rural Affairs with a grant to help support Marketplace, a premier rural small business and

,' entrepreneurship event now in its third year. The funding "eceived by the Center for Rural Affairs from Nebraska

E~terprise Fund is used primarily for the Center's Rural ! Entiqx-ise Assistance Project (REAP). a rural entrepre- ! neurial and small business development program. I "NEF envisions a Nebraska where every micro and

small business owner has the opportunity and resources to realize his or her potential as a business owner," said Rose Jaspersen, Executive Director of the Nebraska En- terprise Fund. "Marketplace is an excellent resource for business owners and community leaders. The conference provides the latest information about business management and community-based programs for businesses."

The third annual Marketplace will be held at the Sandhills Convention Center in North Platte on Febru- ary 25. The conference will offer training, networking, and professional development opportunities for startup and existing small businesses, service providers, rural communities, and family farmers and ranchers. Early bird registration ends on Feb. 11.

Three pre-conference sessions are also being offered , this year on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 24 at Mid-Plains

i Community College. These focus on marketing, media, and promotion; think tanks and incubators for a community; and risk management.

"We are so appreciative of the partnership with the f Nebraska Enterprise Fund, said Kathie Starkweather, -

Center for Rural Affairs. "The work they do and the - t goals they strive to achieve are in line with goals set out 1 to for the MarketPlace."

Entrepreneurs may also want to display their products in the Nebraska Marketplace Store (www.cfra.org/mar- ] ketplacefstore). The store is a cooperative effort between i the Center for Rural Affairs' MarketPlace and GROW i Nebraska, which will provide vendors with retail space, staffing and pay sales tax. Store participants are encour- : aged to register so they can take advantage of the day's - sessions and network with other professionals. The store registration deadline is February 1.

For more information on Marketplace or to register: http://www.cfra.org/marketplace/home . Or contact Joy Marshall, [email protected], (402) 614- 5558.

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COURIER 1 THURSDAY LVEEKLY ' CALLAWAY, NE Circulation = 580

01/29/2009 i !

Ill- C---;- -- -

CRA rural entrepreneurs grants available

LYONS - The Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF) recently

. - awarded the Center for Rural Af- fairs with a grant to help support Marketplace, a premier rural small business and entrepreneurship event now in its third year. The tiinding received by the Center for Rural Affairs from Nebraska Enterprise Fund is used primarily i for the Center's Rural Enterprise i AssistanceProject (REAP), arural i entrepreneurial and smallbusiness

-- development program. s- -

F: The third annual Marketplace " will be held at the Sandhills Con-

vention Center in North Platte, Nebraska on February 25, 2009. The conference will offer train- 1. ing, networking, and professional development opportunities for 7 startup and existing small busi- : nesses, service providers, rural communities, and family farmers and ranchers. Early bird registration ends on Feb. 1 1,2009.

Three pre-conference sessions are also being offered this year on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 24 at Mid-Plains Community College. These focus on marketing, media, .:

and promotion; think tanks and ;

incubators for a community; and -- --'risk managenent. - - - -. .. . e i

.. Entrepreneurs may also want to display their products in the Ne- 1 braska Marketplace Store (www.

t cf?a.orglmarketplace/store). The store is a cooperative effort . between the Center for Rural Af- fairs' Marketplace and GROW Nebraska,whichwillprovideven- / dors with retail space, staffing and

i I

pay sales tax. Store participants are encouraged to register so they can take advantage of the day's

, sessions and network with other professionals. The store registra- , tion deadline is February 1.

For more information on , Marketplace or to register: http:ll i www.cfra.orglmarketplace/home i . Or contact Joy Marshall, joyrn@ I cfra.org, (402) 614- 5558. -

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RIECORD WEDNESDAY WEEKLY CHADRON, NE Circulation = 2673 I Rural Americans not as healthy nowadays By Elisha Greeley Smith half of all s t~~den t s walked or decis~ons, the availability of [email protected] bicycled to school. Today less nutrit~our foods is often l ~ n i ~ r e d

-Center for Rural Affairs i

than 15 percent do because of Many of the factors Involved 1 ' ' 4 v :- We have all heard our par-. . ?

ents or grandparents bragging -about ivalking uphill both ways to school. Though it itnay be a bit exaggerated, evidence shows that rural people were once better off in terms of physical activity, ntltrition and weight.

A report by Ccnter for Rural _ Affairs found that rural

traffic safety concerns. Eniploy~nent has affected our

health as well. Fewer rural Americans are employed in rigorous occupations such as farming, fishing and fbrestry. 41so the percentage of multiple income families has grown. With their jobs. along with school and community actici-

in worsening conditions regarding diet, activity and obcsity can be addressed through individual, family and comrnunlty action.

As the new administralio~i and the new Congress hegin to debate health care rcfort-u. they need to keep in mind that the best long-term way to reform

Americans today, are more ties, rural people struggle to the health care systern is to help obese and less fit than urban find time to exercise and pre- create healthier peoplc. Americans. pare nutritious mcals. Everyone has a stake in creating

N~~rnerous issues contribute Even if individuals and Fami- a healthier society and everyone tp this situation. Forty years ago lics try to make better eating has responsibility to do so. --

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REPUBLICAN THURSDAY WEEKLY PAWNEE CITY, NE Circulation = 1320

01/29/2009 i

T h e Pawnee Republican, Thursday, January 29, 2009

"rganic I + - Farming Transition Workshops in February Tamela S. Timms Five Rivers RCdD C'ooldinutor Tlie -Fi \ie Ri -\7e- r-s..Reso-~-r-ceT7ii,i.~

servation and Development, Inc in Tecun~sch and the Nebraska Great Plains Resource Conservation and Development, Inc in David City, NE are hosting a choice of two workshops on transitioning to organic fanning. The workshop in David City is schcdulcd for Fcbrua~y 3rd from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Nebraska Great Plains RC&D office. The workshop in Tecumseh is scheduled for February 4th from 10:OO am to 2:00 pm at the Nemaha Natural Resource District office. Registration for both workshops begin at 9:30 am with a $5.00 registration fee (includes lunch).

m~ Experienced organic -. - farmers will

present information on the basics of organic production and the certi- fying process as well as marketing options. Professionals fro111 NRCS and the UNI, Extension will explain programs to support producers try- ing to transition part or all of their operation to organic production.

Organic prices are usually 100- 200% of conventional grains. But to sell products in the "organic" market, farmers and ranchers must comply with certain restrictions and rules known as the National Organic Rule. The biggest obstacle for many farmers and ranchers is the 36- month transition period, where no unauthorized inputs can be applied, yet the product does not qualify for the organic premiums. The USDA Natural Resource Conservation

Service EQIP program provides financial incentives to offset pos- sible financial risks, from yield reductions, andlor lender/landlord agreements during the transition phase. Incentives can also Iielp offset expenses for additional machin- ery and facilities not now a part of manv conventional farms' ~ortfolio such as additional tillage 'or weed control equipment, storage facilities, and equipment needed to manage a more diverse crop mixture.

Transition to organic production is much more than adding a single practice. It is about changing, the production system. To provide local expertise and instruction, applicallts to the EQIP Organic Incentive Program can participate in a three-year education program

sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs, designed to provide detailed information on what is required to certify organic and the practices needed to qualify.

For infonnation on the workshops, contact the Five Rivers RC&D at 402-335-3347. For details on the National Organic Program (NOP) rules, visit the USDA's home page: www.usd~oO\i, click on "Agricul- - ture", then Organic Certification. For more information on the NRCS EQIP Program, contact your local NRCS office. David Welsch, dwel- ~ @ ~ w e s t b l u e f a r ~ q . ~ c _ o ~ n 402-826- i 5361 or Martin Kleinschmit at the I Center for Rural Affairs, martink@ : cfra.org ,402-254-6893 can provide . ... . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . more details on transitioning to organic production. - .

- -- ~-~ 2- d

1 community-based' programs for i businesses."

The third annual Marketplace will be held at the Sandhills Con- 1 vention Center in North Platte. Ne- braska on February 25, 2009. The conference will offer training, net- I working, and professional devei-

g opment opportunities for startup and existing small businesses, ser-

F I , vice pt.oviders, rural communities,

UNIVERSAL I and family fa-mers and ranch- Information Sewlces, Inc I ers. Early bird registration ends on

(402) 342-31 78 - Feb. 1 1,2009. ~.

I NEWS THURSDAY WEEKLY

I

I ORCHARD, NE

Three pre-conference sessions : are also being offered this year on : Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 24 at Mid- ; Plains Community College. These

focus on marketing, media, and promotion; think tanhs and incubators for a comn~unity; and risk management.

f

Grant to Support Rural 1..

Entrepreneurs~ebr~~k~l .. Enterprise Fund sz1pport.s Alr11.Xc1-

Place, a stnnll husines.c con$ci.c~r(.c, -. The --Nebraska Enterprise Fund

,..NEF) recently a~rarded the Center g f i r Rural Affairs with a grant to

help support IGlarkctPlace, a premier rural small bus i~ess and entrepreneurship event nuw in its third year. The funding received by the Centel; for Rural Affairs from Ne- braska Enterprisc Fund is used primarily fol. the Center's Kural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP), a rural entreprrncurial and small business d.-.velopment

"NEF envisions a Nebraska where every micro and small bwi- ness owner has the opportunity and esources to realize his or her po- ntial as a business owner." said ose Jaspersen, Executive Director f the Nebraska Enterprise Fund. Marketplace is an escellt.rrt rt-

source for business owners and leaders. 'l'hc conference

es the latest information ncss management and - , . . . . . . . . . . . .,,

"We are so appreciative of the partnership with the Nebraska En- terprise Fynd, said Kathie Stark-

weather, Center for Rural Affairs. " lhe work they do and the goals they strive to achieve are in line with goals set out to for the Mar- ketPlace."

Entrepreneurs may also want to display their products in the Ne- braska Marketl'lace Store ,~(www.cfra.org~marketplace!store). ..

The store is a cooperative effort between the Center for Rural Af- fairs' Marketplace and GROW Ne- braska, which will provide vendors with retail space, staffing and pay sales tax. Store participants are encouraged to register so they can I take advantage of the day's sessions and network with other professionals. The store registration deadline is February 1 .

For more information on Mar- ketplace or to register: :-

h&~.:!!ww w .cfra,o_rg/mrna~ketplaceih_o nit: . Or contact Joy Marshall, [email protected]. (402) 614- 5.558.

UNIVERSAL! lnformat~on Serv~ces Inc

' 8 ENTERPRISE THURSDAY WEEKLY

! STAPLETON, NE Circulation = 625

01/29/2009

i Stapleton Area chamber , a

4 3

~ lects 2009 Officers L I

Stapleton Area Chamber of $3-- Commerce met for their annual meeting Monday, January 26, at the Veteran's

" Memorial Building in - Stapleton. Eight were pre- - sent.

The secretary's minutes - E were approved as presented. e-- - - -

A treasurer's report was pre one of the above named offi sented. cers. A treasurer will bw

Dale Hollibaugh was elect- elected at the February ed president for the 2009 meeting. year. Cindy Frey will be vice Board of Directors will be j president and Rae Johnson, Tyler Stille, Ron Halsted, I secretary. Chamber is still in Lewellyn Frey and need of a treasurer. If you Barnum. Sara / are interested, please contact The Easter Egg hunt was

- - -- - -". discussed.

Tyler Stille reported that he is heading up the hosting of NUMB, the bicycle group that will be coming to! Stapleton. He will solicit

, help from other chambed members even thoug9 Chamber did not choose to sponsor the event. This year's ride is sched i

uled to be held June 27 - Juld 1, and includes the commu~

I nities of Ogallala, Brady, Stapleton and North Platte. 1

For the past five years, thd Nebraska United ~ethodist! Bike Ride for Hunger ha 4 annually raised close to, $40,000 to support hullgels projects in Nebraska an around the world. 4 A business of the montq will be selected next month* when a new list of member3 is obtained.

, Dena Beck with the Cente 1 for Rural Affairs ~ u r a $ Enterprise ~ss i s t ancd Project (REAP) for over twy

.years was a special speaker at the meeting. She serves the Southwest and Central regions of Nebraska enconl- passing 16 counties, operat- ing from her home office north of Minden.

Dena came to REAP from the Minden shamher of Commerce and Kearney County Economic Development Agency where' she served as Director for five years.

Dena has a B.S. in Horticultural Therapy from Kansas State University, graduated from Heartland Economic Development Institute, and received as Masters of Science degree i -

* Organizational managemen - with minors in Entrepre neurship & Economic Devel I opment from Peru Stat 1 College.

3 She offered advice on howl

to market and sell your busi I ness. She offered tips on1 transferring and planning in advance so that a timeljl transition can transpire. 1

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3 , MIRROR-SUN I

THURSDAY WEEKLY LYONS, NE Circulation = 735 ,

01/29/2009 I

Center receives grant to k support rural entrepreneurs i - The Nebraska Enterprise "NEFenvisionsaNebraska for businesses." for Rural Affairs.

Fund(NEF)recently awarded where every micro and small The third annual Mar- "The work they do and the b the Center for Rural Affairs business owner has the op- ketPlace will be held at the goals theystrivetoachieveare

with a grant to help support portunity and resources to Sandhills Coilvention Center in line with goals set out to for Marketplace, apremier rural realiyc his or her potential as in North Platte, Nebraska on the MarketPlace." small business and entrepre- a business owner," said Rose February 25,2009. Entrepreneurs may also 1 neurship event now in its Jaspersen, Executive Director The conference will offer want to display their products third year. of the Nebraska Enterprise tra~ning, networking, and in the Nebraska Marketplace

The funding received by Fund. professional development Store(www.cfra.org1market- I

the Center for Rural Affairs "Marketplace 1s an excel- opportunities-for startup and placelstore). from Nebraska Enterprise lent resource for- busmess exist~ng small businesses, The store is a cooperative Fund is used primarily for owners and co~nmunjty lend- sel vlce providers, rural com- effort between the Center for

r the Center's Rural Enterprise ers. munities, and family farmers Rural Affairs' Marketplace ! 6 Assistance Project (REAP), The conference provides and ranchers. and GROW Nebraska, which ! a rural entrepreneurial and the latest intormatlon about Earlybirdregislralionericls will provide vendors with i small business development business management and on Feb. 11,2009. retail space, staffing and pay

program. community-basetl programs Three pre-conference ses- sales tax. slons arc also being offered Store participants are en- this year on Tuesday after- couraged to register so they noon, Feb. 24 at Mid-Plains can take advantage of the Comrnu~l~ty College. day's sessions and network

These focus on market- with other professionals. ing, media, and promotion: The store registration dead- think tanks and incubators line is February 1. for a community; and risk For more information on management. Marketplace or to register:

"We are so appreciative of http:llwwwcfra.orglmarket- the partnership with the Ne- placehome . Or contact Joy braska Enterprise Fund, said Marshall, joym@cfra org, Kathie Starkkeather, Center (402) 614- 5558.

UNIVERSAL i l nformation services.

COURIER 1 THURSDAY WEEKLIv 1 CALLAWAY, NE I

Circulation = 580 ! 01/29/2009 1

Open the doors to rural success -

by Elisha Greeley Smith Center for Rural Affairs

Most Nebraska rural communities have something in common. They often have a shortage of

bs and lack young people moving into the area. lso, rural community residents and leaders, some-

imes think that the answer to reviving main street s recruiting big business. But industry comes and oes, and it's not uncommon for a recruited busi- ess to abandon a community, leaving individuals bless and the town in despair. RuralNebraska's growth and prosperity depend

n entrepreneurship and microenterprise. Most f the new jobs created in rural America in the ast decade have come from the creative efforts f entrepreneurs and small business.

To help Nebraskans take control of their own tiny, create businesses and buildjobs, the Center Rural Affairs is again hosting Marketplace, a

premier rural small business and entrepreneurship event now in its third year. !

The Marketplace conference is a one-day event focusedon strengthening smallbusinesses and rural !

I communities. Participants will learnessential busi- ! ness skills, discover new ideas for businesses and communities, and network with service providers and 0therentrepreneurs.Attendees are guaranteed to come away from Marketplace equippedwith strategies on how to grow or start their own business.

The event takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 at the Sandhills Convention Center in North 1 Plattefiom7:30a.m. to 5:OOp.m.Educationaltracks . include sessions onmarketing, agriculture, business , development, policy, community development, j Hispanic entrepreneurship, and technology.

For more information visit www.cfra.org/ ~ marketplacelhome or contact Joy Marshall, [email protected] or (402) 614-5558.

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STANDARD THURSDAY WEEKLY HUMBOLDT, NE Circulation = 1 176

01/29/2009

- OPEN THE DOORS TO SUCCESS t host Nebraska 'Om- a,cg-iculture, business devel- ' 1 ?unities have something in opment, policy, community I gommon. They often have a development, Hispanic

Ortage of jobs and lack entrepreneurship, and tech- oung people moving into nology. the area. Also, cornmu- For more information visit nit^ residents and leaders, www.cfra.org/marketplace/ wmetimes think that the home or Joy Mar- answer to reviving main shall, [email protected] or 4 street is recruiting big busi- 402.614.5558. ,A

ness. But industry comes - )IA , a - -

,and goes, and it's not '

uncommon for a recruited ' business to abandon a corn- p , munity, leaving individuals i

.have come from the creative efforts of entrepreneurs and small business.

To help Nebraskans take control of their own destiny, create businesses and build jobs, the Center for Rural

' 2 small business and entre-- preneurship event now in its third year.

The Marketplace conference is a one-day event focused on strengthening small businesses and rural communities. Participants will learn essential business skills, discover new ideas for businesses and communities, and network with service providers and other entrepreneurs. Attendees are guaranteed to come away from Marketplace equipped with strategies on how to grow or start their

iy own business. The event takes place on

Wednesday, Feb. 25,2009 at the Sandhills Convention 1

ri: , Center in North Platte from

- 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Edu- cational tracks include sessions on marketing,

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i f I UNIVERSAL Information Serv~ces Inc : 1

DAILY NECI'S EVENING DAILY NORFOLK, NE Circulation = 17282

02/06/2009

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS Friday, February 6, 2009 7

- Entrepreneurship cus for leaders - By LINDA WUEBBEN regionalQnorfolkdailynews.com

HARTINGTON - A convergence of three area leadership academies here recently offered 60 high school students a look at entrepreneurship from several different angles.

Michael I-Iolton, Plainview's city administrator, took a risk last year and was successful in receiving grant monies from the Rural Community Advancement Program to establish a youth leadership ;+cadem): in his conl- munity. He in\. i t 4 I'lainview High School to partici!wte in his dream.

An open applic,a?ion proccss was offered for students with certain qualifi- cations, including a specific grade-point average.

The Plainview Academy of Leader- ship, or PAL, was born. The pp!)gratn was set for the 2008-0') schal;l year, with the members ~lantitrg f r ~ talk a!sf~u! the future of their small community,

DURING THE nine-month prngrarn, monthly meetings have been planned; "hot" discussion topics - like moral:; - covered; and ways to develop good leadership qualities explored.

Three other Nor-tl-re;~st Nebraska schools decided to conle on board: Tilden E1kho1.n Valley, Hart ington Pub- lic and Hartington Cedar Catholic.

The Hartington Academy, which combined the public and Cedar Catho- lic high schools, involves their student council members.

-- . These students h.ave been organized :=for three years, working through the Leapster program.

The Elkhorn Valleji Acadc~nj~ invitc:d their National Honor Socicty students to participate.

At the all-day leadership session in Hartington, social entrepreneurs hi!^ was explored by Susan Fanta of the Niobrara Valley House of Renewal in Lynch. Fanta used im;ges about her life to introduce hel.st:If to the studt:~~ts.

As she pulled a s~riall !.ractor, flag, little T-shirt and cross from a I-)ox, h n t a . described her life as being involved in farming, a patriot, having c21ildren and the role religion plays. In turn, she told the students that they advrrtisr a!,uut themselves in what they weal .$I : I l ho\v they act.

Fanta then used magazine ads and added props to show the studenl-s how

! others see them. A volunteer, Elkhorn Valley High junior Kyleigh Parhum, aided Fanta with the visual display.

Fanta pulled printed ads out of a box and asked P;urhutn to tape them on her body.

One showc:d a beautiful model with ::perfect hair, :lnothr.t Lhr pci Iect make- *.up; just the right shampoo; tltr bcrjl

trendy clothes; the sportictst car fol-. successful people; and just the right beer and cigarette.

As KyIeigh stood with the ads taped

LIbI!lR WllFBBTlu: COf?FiELPONUF_N-r

TYLER HOU'BN (left, starlding in photo above) of Plair~view and Jessica Wle- belhaus (r;erlter) of F'ordycc

lnodel their new Leader-- st-lip Acarlc~~iy 1--shirts.

Michael tiolton (right) of P1ainvit.w and lane A r m strong (in back) assisted with a recent leadership

event in klartington ir~volv- ing four area h~gll sr:hoc!ls. - 'SUSAN FANTA (left) colr--.

ducts a workshop where variolr% advcl.l.isir~g lnes

sages are taped to T~ldc:n Elkhorn V;~llcy H~gh Schr!c,l

studen1 KyIt:igh Parh?rn I.

all over her bocl~.. h n t a rc,m!r~dt>d hrr and the rest oL' t hr s11rdc.nts that dir: could hmt, rt:fusctl :jny nl' thc rn:~tt~rit~l objects "ttrgetl" lo her - b~rr she* didn't. Slrr Ict ott1c1.s with ~~;rtr~-i:~ligtic tll-tt;~n~s sell he1 111eir liti: cli-eani.

"'L'oll hr711t: 1 1 ) lakc' risks antl focl Ihr freeclom to hr.: vourst?lf, to rc;rc!l !)ut 1.0 others," Fal?.t:r mir! "No dl-c:l!rl \vllr.tll while Iivil~g ~ z i i l l h e ea:;y'' She aaldrb!l the I ( I ; Y ~ wil l btt 1111ll.ave1cd and a trtlxv path has to be ~tr;rtle

FANTA CIIAIJ .ENGEU the groull to take their f.;~lents (>I. gift:? and use !.I-tern, to take their vision and what i~~tc.t.!;:;ts them alxl usrt ;I to be life chatlgir~g -- for the I!!,ttv). ; ! l J the present s w r is 110t ill; !.:oc)d a:; i t C O I J I ~ he, tab: th t risk to gel where it is Iw:ttcr, '̂ SIIP r;ai<l,

\,f'yi~!t !"~:l:iS Of !I l l? ~ ~ P ! ~ ! . c I ' fO! ~<LI!~!~J ASS,krrs a, ,! ~ c ; d with F'anf~ alld shoi~ed - thc r;lllclentq: I:!w perlpl~c h:wc becn looki~~g bt:)ot,d t lrc dollars and c.erits to makc cl-~:mp,tr:: irr ?he \.vorlrl. Me gaJrc ex- amplcs of sucr:e:i?;f~ul busintls.: vt+~ltilres that st;~r.t.t:rl I I I I ~ 1sitE1 an il!\restrnent of

a: little as $40 and other online Web s1tr.s t h t l tackle such important human issuc?s as the mudern-day slave trade.

Thrl Center, which was organiwd 117 1973 when poverty work was being done in Northca.;t Nebraska, now has a $2 nill lion budget and enlploys 25 pcoplc It 1v;is a dream of two men to strengthen small commul~ities by working on soc~al and economic issues, F'raa:; said

'Tire arc unapolog~tically rural," he s a d "And 1L.e know we can make a difference. In 35 years, we have seen changes and we are not finished mak- Ing this a better place for Americans."

Jane Armstrong. a Un~versity of Ne- bra$>ka-Lincoln Extension educator in Cedar ('ot~rity, told the students that entrcprencurs are needed today, espe- c1.~11v with thc current state of financial crisi\ in the world. -

AR.MSFTRONG ENCOURAGED the hi[:h ~;chool students to think outside of the box to find unique ways to develop new businesses in their communities.

A Leadership Academy is defined by:

A style of leaders in high school; either by grade point aver- ages or a sports standout; already a leader in their school.

A student who takes the next '

step; moves above self. Willing to lead others on an

untraveled path. H Willing to learn what it takes

to become an effective leader. Has qualities of ethics and

values. Can be self-sustaining and

find ways to further that strength.

Ways youths can help their communities:

Start after-school clubs. Organize groups against

drugs and alcohol. Conduct fundraising activities

for school needs. Make an impact with school ,

classes. Work with elementary chil-

dren after school. B Job shadow, watch, learn and

remember. B Complete survey of commu- :

nity needs and wants. Participate in extracurricular ,

activities. Initiate service projects.

creativity can be unlimited and helping people to make a comnlunity better is what it is all about, she said.

Entrepreneurship curriculum in Ne- braska schools is at a low point, said.. Armstrong, introducing the students, to a learning guide developed by UN1, for entrepreneurship investigation that is available to schools in the state. She:. challenged the students to return to. their respective schools and work t$ make these classes available in their. business departments.

Other speakers included successful.^ Hartington-area entrepreneurs.

Holton had two students model the new Leadership Academy T-shirts with this message on the back: Leadership. is not about position --- Leadership i s about action.

Holton told the students: 'You car: .make a- difference; you can drive the; future OT what happensin your commu: nity. Take what we learn in this Lead:: ership Academy project and go to your1 local leaders; identify community proj-. ects and be a part of them."

STANDARD

OXFORD, Nebraska

Date: Thursday, January 29,2009 Frequency: WEEKLY Circulation: 81 9 Clip Size: 1 5.67 sq. inches Ad Rate: $3.73 Pagelsection: 7

Rural Americans, less fit and more obese than urban Americans

Rural people were once better off in terms of physical activity, nutrition and weight.

However, according to a report released by the Center. .. h...RuraI Bf fa i today, rural residents generally fare worse that their urban counterparts in regards to obesity, which is opposite to the situation that existed prior to 1980.

The Cen~farlhuLM%irs, in collaboration with Dr. Joe Blankenau, Professor of Politics at Wayne State College, Wayne, Nebraska, has undertaken the task of evaluating crucial health care issues in rural America,

The report, "Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity in Rural America," first in a series of reports analyzes available research relating

to nutrition, physical activity and obesity and their impact on the health of rural residents relative to their urban counterparts.

Crucial findings: Exercise -- 40 years ago, half of

all students walked or bicycled to school, today less than 15 percent do.

Employment -- fewer rural residents are employed in rigorous occupations such as farming, forestry, and fishing.

Availability -- rural residents have limited access to healthy food choices.

Demographics -- rural residents are older, less educated and poorer than urban residents, all contributing to increased-obesity.

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Profile: 111 - Center for Rural Affairs Recipient: John Crabtree

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i DAILY '

OMAHA, NE Circulation = 192075

I i

seeks health coverage for more low-income kids .$ 1,INCOLN - If Nebraska -i were like most states, Janene

Rutt wouldn't be working four jobs to afford health insurance for her childrert.

She might not have spent three years papirig the bills for

-,. per daughter's kidney stone treatment, or faced $2.000 in de- duct ible~ and cc>~pavments for

her son's broken finger. She could have improved her

family's lot by continuing her studies to become a licensed practicalnurse.

"Maybe if I didn't work hard, it wouldn't feel so bad," said Rutt, who lives in the Franklin County town of Campbell. "I have always worked because I thought some day I'll get ahead."

Rutt and her family are struggling partly because Nebraska

limits its health insurance program for low-income children, called Kids Connection, to families making 185 percent of the federal poverty level or less.

Only six other states set eligibility levels a t that level or lower.

The rest cover children in families making 200 percent or more of the federal poverty Level. Iowa provides coverage up to the 200 percent level of the

federal poverty level and in July will expand its program to 300 percent.

Rutt's three children quali- fied for the program about five years ago, after a head injury cost her husband his farming job and the family insurance that came with it. Her husband is dis- abled, and his needs are covered by Medicare.

The Kids Connection coverage ended when their oldest

child reached 19. Rutt was told her income was $100 too high for the other two children to stay on the program.

So Rutt quit her nursing studies and now works 32 hours a week, for $9.52 an hour, a t a local nursing home. That allows her to get family health coverage for $450 a month. She also works one 12-hour day each week at a beauty shop.

See Insure: Page 2

i Insure: State HHS has opposed expanded coverage Continued,from /luge 1

In between those jobs, Rutt earns money working for two elderly women rnaking sure they take their nledi(.;\tions properly.

"I am getting a little tired,"

- T,r:gisla!ive Kill 136, intro- duct:d by Stat(: Sen. Bill Avery of

Id raise the eligibil- Kids Connection to

percent of the federal pov- level. He offered a similar ast year, hut it died in conl-

Jennifer Carter, an attorney ith the Nebraska Appieseed

'Centerfor Law in the Public In- terest, saidthe reauthorizationof the federal State Children's I-Iealih Insurance Program (SCHIP) gives Nebraska opportunities to cover many rnore children. President Barack Obama signed the legislation Feb. 4.

The federal bill will mean more money for Nebraska's Kids Connection program - an 86per- cent increase for the fiscal year ending Svpt. 30, according to an estimate by the Georgetown Uni- versity IlealthPolicy Institute.

The bill also offers bonuses for states that enroll more uninsured

children and makes it easier for states to set up programs that help families pay private health insurance premiums.

"We need to go to 200 percent br:cause 200 percent is really the best measure of families that cannot afford coverage," Carter said. "They're choosing between food and taking their child to the doctor."

Federal poverty guidelines for 2009 say that a family of four with an income of up to $22,050 is poor.

At 185 percent of the poverty level, a family of four with income up to $40,793 would qualify for Kids Connection. At 200 percent, the same family with income up to $44,100\vould qualify.

Jon Bailey, an analyst with the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Neb., said making health coverage more available for chii- dren would especially benefit rural families. People in ruralareas often work for small businesses or are self-employed and don't have access to affordable health coverage.

"Health insurance may be in some cases the single largest ex- pense for farmersandranchers,"

he said. But expanding any program

may be a hard sell in a year when the econcbmy is struggling and state tax revenues a re expected to lag.

Vivianne Chaumont, director of Medicaid and long--term care for the Nehraskrr Depar t~r~ent of Health and Human Services, said the agency's policy is not to com- ment on I~ills before they have a public hearing.

The agency opposedlast year's bill, and Chaumont souncted doubtful about whether the state would challgeitsmixd this year.

"In the past, Nebraska has been clear, through Medicaid reform, that it was not expanding eligibility categories, because the (Medicaid) prograrn is not fiscally sustainable," she said.

The state children's health insurance program is treated as an expansion of thc state Medicaid program.

La\.vmakcrs budgeted for 2.9 percent average increases in Medicaid for the two-yearpc~~iod ending June 30. The ave. . ~ g c increase in the children's health insurance program was4.2 percent for the same period.

Chaumont downplayed the -

value of additional federal funding. because of requirements for state matching funds. Nebraska would have to pay at least 28 percent of the cost for any expansion of the children's health insurance program.

Others have philosophical ob- I jections to expanding the program.

Sen. 'Tony FuIton of Lincoln said: "The way 1 look at it is 185 . -. percent of poverty is a pretty high number I am concerned 1 that this is a step toward univer- i sal health care, and 1 have grave - - j concern about that policy ."

I ~ g i s l a t i v e fiscal staff last 1 year estimated that expanding I , the program would provide cov- , erage for about 5,400 additional i children. The program currently 1 covers about 23,000 children. i

U.S. Census figures show that there were 45.000 uninsured children in the state in 2007. About 60 percent were in families making les; than 200 percent of the poverty level. Most lived in families where at least one person was working.

Cor~tact the write!: 402.4739583, [email protected]

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0211 512009

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Ill1

-. Employment transition -- -: workshop set for Tuesday - - 3 -

Telegraph staff reports

lndividuals who have recently been laid off or would like to upgrade their employment skills and/or situation should plan to attend the Employment Tran- sition Workshop from 2 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at North Platte Community College's North Campus.

1 The "opcn house" type workshop will allow participants to come and go as their schedules allow. Workshop topics include Going Back to School, Or- ganizing Your Finances, Business Start-up, Job Search Skills, and much more.

!! 1. -.

Representatives from 2 Mid-Plains Community - -=

College, Nebraska Work- - 4 force Developn~ent, Nebras- -

ka Business Development -1 Centel; Consumer Credit -3 Counseling, the Center for -{ Rural Affairs/REAP, and -2 the Nebraska Department ----; of Health and Human Ser- . J vices will be on hand to provide information, as well as offering guidance ;! and assistance. ~ -

For more informatiolr -- I? -5

about the workshop, please - q contact the MPCC Career -=- j Services Center at (308) 535- 1-2 3618 or (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3618; Karin Lange at 535-

vices&3npcc.edu.

--I 8023; or email careerser- q

MIRROR-SUN THURSDAY WEEKLY LYONS, NE Circulatisn = 733

02/05/2009

1 Six million dollar milestone reached ! Eugene Rahn, Senior Business

I Spccialist for the Center for Rural AfYairs' Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP), recently reached a milestone of loaning and leveraging over six mill ion dollars to rural Nebraska startup and existing small businesses.

"Gene has a passion for working with rural small businesses and helping them succeed and has made a ,major impact as evidenced by reaching this milestone," said Jeff Reynolds REAP Program Director.

Rahn joined the REAP program in November 1996 and covers the north central area of Nebraska. Since that time, he has been responsible for placing 142 loans totaling over $1.5 M while also leveraging 86 loans totaling over $4.6 M due to his assistance for a total of over $6 M in loans and leverage. Rahn has also been responsible for countless hours of business counseling and facilitation of many small business trainings in his region. He has worked with close to 600 startup and existing entrepreneurs and helped train close to 2,000 entrepreneurs.

"We applaud Eugene for achieving such a milestone. The commitment and support

that he has demonstrated time and again directly correlates with the success rate of entrepreneurs and small business owners here in rural Nebraska," said Richard Baier, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. "Successful small businesses are an essential component of our state's overall economic development effort.

We are pleased to have pro- Jided resources to support the good work that Eugene has done in his role with REAP.

We look forward to his continued success in the future."

One example of a small business recently assisted by Gene is Sandhill Glass & Garage Doors in Ord, Nebraska, owned by Bradley and Gina Babb.

"In 1998, wc were asked by our step-father if we would consider moving to Nebraska, work for his glass and garage door business. and learn to take it over when he decided to retire," stated the Babb. "We decided to take the opportunity, and began working in the spring of 1998." In 2007, the Babbs' step-father died unexpectedly, without any plan in place for a business transition. The Babbs decided to purchase the business assets and re-open it as

Eugene Rahn their own.

"Without the help of Eugene Rahn and the support of REAP, we would not have been able to keep the family business alive and complete our long term goals. Eugene was extremely supportive and enjoyable to work with. Eugene was referred to us by our local Chamber of Commerce. They called him a "wizard" that helpedsmall businesses in rural Nebraska. He is beyond a doubt a Wizard."

That "wizard definitely en- joys what he does.

Gene Rahn calls entrepreneurs and small business people some of the greatest indiviuals to work with. "Assistingentrepre- neurs and small business owners has proven interesting and rewarding," said Rahn, REAP Senior Business Specialist.

"lt has been an honor and

privilege assisting entrepreneurs and small business owners that had an idea, then a dream and then the reality of starting or expanding their own business."

REAP is Nebraska's largest microenterprise program and operates on a statewide, rural basis through regionally based Business Specialists. REAP provides lending, training, networking, and technical assistance/counseling opportunities for startup and existing small microenterprises (businesses with 5 or fewer employees). REAP operates Nebraska's only Women's Business Cen- ter (WBC) and also operates the REAP Hispanic Business Center (HBC).

"The milestone that Eugene Rahn has reached is an excellent example of the commitment of REAP, staff in assisting startup and existing small businesses in rural Nebraska.

This commitment coupled with dedicated funding sources and partners is a recipe for total success," said Jeff Reynolds. REAP Program Director. "This milestone says a lot about the need for and success of our program."

Over 85% of the businesses in Nehraska are microenterprises

(5 or fewer in size). That is why the Center for Rural Affairs believes it is so vital to providc access to lending and technical assistance.

REAPcollaborates with many other individuals arld organizations and also participates with the Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF). NEF is a leading provider of financial resources for community-based orga- ~.

nizations that offer financial and technical assistance to Nebraska's small and micro businesses.

A complete listing of microenterprise service providers in Nebraska can be found at http:// www.nebbiz.org/gsearch.php.

Rose Jaspersen, Executive Director of the Nebraska Enteiprise Fund said, "Micro- enterprise and small business development generates income, builds assets and supports local economies by providing a proven pathway to business ownership for low and moder- ate income entrepreneurs.

They are the base of our economy. Eugene Rahn's ac- complishments are outstanding foranindividu:il working in ihis field. He is not only making a difference for businesses, but also for communities in North Central Nebraska." /.

.#'

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CEDAR CO. NEWS WEDNESDAY WEEKLY HARTINGTON, NE Circulation = 2091

1 Leadership classes , he lp tul area people step I ( into an important role I

The last several ye&s fective meeting, and how we have scen immense to understand our com- 7 volunteer efforts on behalf munity and our economic '.

of our community. developnlent needs. This speaks volumes for The annual Leadership

~ I I F ' many projects both Country Club.

cret whether you live in gin Feb. 17 consist ofeight Hartingto~i or another nights of classes, and

velopment Com- phases. --the d lages ~f - -Adults Of all ages and 'and Wynot, the *-youth (9- 12 grade) are all Hartington, and encouraged to attend all

.lington Eronomic three phases. We need plnent. we were youth involved because c~tstcrvll~ze aseries they are not just our

velopcd ant1 dcsigned tu grow personally, profes- enco~~ragep~opletolearn sionally, and to learn about thrniselves, others, about the community. 1 and the community/re- Act now and learn gion on a leadership level. about yourself, others. This will enable then1 and how to lead your to become even better community or organiza-

tion. For a tmchure or

own personality. The Arens. sccond and third phases --Carla Becker lead into unclerstanding Ec. Dewlopment : others, how to lead an ef- Coordinator !

UNIVERSAL! Informatton Serv~ces Inc'

(402) 342-31 78

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CENTER for RURAL AFFAIRS

Values. Worth. Action. .. - 'Ask Not What Your Country Can Dof

BY John Crabtree, [email protected], Centerjbr Rural Affairs I There are questions about our national economic malaise: will the bailouts '

and stimulus work, can we afford to spend federal money, can we afford not- to? But little attention has been paid to what can be done for rural America,@ and, more importai~tly, few have asked what rural America can do for thew rest of the nation.

The best rural development results from rural people creating their own small businesses and entrepreneurial value-added agriculture. Grass-i entrepreneurship puts profits into local wallets and maintains control community's future by its members. b Too often rural entrepreneurs depend on savings and credit cards to fund,

their business starts. Federal policy can help. The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program funds loans and training for owner-operated businesses with 10 or fewer employees (businesses that make up the backbone of rural

The Value Added Producer Grant Program helps farmers and ranchers J

und feasibility studies, market research and business planning necessary to aunch value-added agricultural enterprises. The Farmers Market Promotion

ogram and Community Fwd Projects Grant I'rogram create opportunities = 9 r small farmers in local markets. , These programs are at the back of the line for federal investment. Ensur- -

ing that legislatio~~ to jump start the economy with new federal spending vestments in each of the grassroots entrepreneurship programs would cost

ennies (or less) on the stimulus dollar and would not only make a difference rural Main Streets, it would help rural America contribute significantly to economic revival of the American economy.

For further information visit www.cfra.org. The Center for Ri1ru1 Afjillirs was estahlisl~~d irl 1973 as an unajfiliated

nonprofit corporarion ur~tler IRS corlc 5Cll(c)3. Thc Cerrterlor Rural Ajfairs was Ji)rined I?\. rrrr-a1 Nc~bruskur~s corlcerrled clbout Ja~uily jarrlzs and rurul conlnl~rr1ities, crrld M Y )1.0r,4 to stre11gther1 .si~ict l l brlsinesses, jirmily Ji7r11zs and rar~c~hcs, u11d ri{r.ul co~~~/ill~ilitie.s.

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.- . , - -- -. ~

/

J

+ UNIVERSAL Information Services, Inc'

(402) 342-31 78 I COURIER THURSDAY WEEKLY CALLAWAY, NE Circulation = 580

02/05/2009 C -- lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll - L ---------- *

t

B inion I I I I h

& B . .

Developing renewable energy the right way i- k!

By John Crabtree, Century,owner-operatedfarms, to build the biofuels industry! johnc@!cfra.org ranches and rural -. businesses .- using flawcd, unsustainable~

Center for Rural Affairs strengthened rural ec6iiomies appl-~aches, all of Americas, 1 In the future; rural America and provided a better rural will suffer the consequences will provide an increasing share quality of life. We can take the eventually. of America's energy needs. A same approach this century by Renewable energy develop. recent Dcpvrtrnent of Energy enabling those involved with the meid has reached a watershc4 study reports that wind could new energy economy to share in moment. The cl~oices of the provide one-fifth of the na- the benefits of ownership. new President, Secretary ofAg- I tion's electricity by 2030, with However, boo111 and bust ricultureand Congress will help, Midwest andGreat Plains states cyclesare good for no one. Corn- dcterlnine whether America's; capable of providing the lion's munities with wind resources renewable energy hture will.. share. Congress and USDA will need help transitioning bring vpportu~lity or economic' should help rural communities their econoinies frorn the boom pain to rural America. build lasting ecollomic opportu- to lasting vitality. 1

1.

nities from the resulting energy Finally, we must find, and 1

1 boombydevelopingpolicesthat government must encourage, support local ownership ofwind the right approach to biofuels. turbines by fanners, ranchers, Intensive cropping systems and . rural communities and rural practices that strip too much workers who maintain wind crop residue from the land re- energy systems. lease organic matter that should g

\. Throughout the Twentieth stay in the soil. If we continue Z

,f

GAZETTE

McCOOK, Nebraska

. -- .-- Date: Monday, February 16,2009

Frequency: DAILY r t"".' - : -- .;

Circulation: 5903 ge>;=;.7j .; b,.. ;.*&; ,++.% ;:&*; fli Clip Size: 14.1 0 sq. inches %= @w~~tty,"v.,m : , ,.-~?s+~~~- Ad Rate: $1 0.95

$$ @a$y@ 5. $$@&E

Pagelsection: 5 ;+g,-:- "&.?... 3 ._-?c<. 4t;%1,9;

Employment Transition Workshop set for Tuesday NORTH PLATTE - Individuals who have recently been laid

off or would like to upgrade their employment skills and/or situation should plan to attend the Employment Transition Workshop from 2 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday at North Platte Com- munity College's North Campus.

The "open house" type workshop will allow participants to come and go as their schedules allow. Workshop topics include Going Back to School, Organizing Your Finances, Business Start-up, Job Search Skills, and much more.

Representatives from Mid-Plains Community College, Ne- braska Workforce Development, Nebraska Business Develop- ment Center, Consumer Credit Counseling, the Centerhr Rural Affairs/REAP, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will be on hand to provide information, as well as offering guidance and assistance.

For more information about the workshop, please contact the MPCC Career Services Center at (308) 535-3618 or (800) 658-4308, Ext. 3618; Karin Lange at 535-8023; or email ca- [email protected].

Universal Information Services , Inc. http://news.universal-info.com Profile: Ill - Center for Rural ARairs Recipient: John Crabtree

Page: 1 /I

STANDARD

OXFORD, Nebraska

--..-- Date: %S'.. Thursday, January 29,2009 E-~. - .. . . Frequency: WEEKLY *=SF,; F-52 *. :, :y m

$a:*.,.

Circulation: 81 9 ~5": -.xzz.ic"f I

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60 attend entrepreneurs meet; told of importance to rural economy

Nearly 60 inventors, innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs partici- patcd in the first I~lventors and Entrepreneurs Club held Monday. Jan. 19, at the Mindcn Fire Hall, sponsored by the PK Partnership, South Central Economic Development District, and C.cn&rfn~RuralAffiits-Bural En- terprise Assistance Project IREAP).

The purpose of the I&E Club is to bring people together to learn the proper steps to explore an idea, motivate each other, tap into each other's networks, and get educated. According to Wisconsin Econmomic Devel- opment Corporation founded Terry Whipple, 49% of new jobs are created by I&E type businesses, "but you can't win if you don't play!"

"You are important!" was the message he brought to attendees, "you are important to our economy as we .livi in this world of rapid &u&"

"Marketing on a Shoestring" was the educational topic presented by the owners of Marketing Happens! in Hastings, Kenzie Choquette and Kristen Pavelka. They shared ideas for marketing to targeted audiences without investing high dollars and internet marketing tips.

If you missed this opportunity be sure to attend the I&E Club next month! I t will be held Monday, Feb. 16, starting at 6 p.m. in Holdrege in tile ~iieeting room of the Super 8 Motel; 420 Broadway Street. Monday, March 16 the l %E Club will return to the Minden Fire Hall.

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center for Rural A f d f rs

Small Business Opportunity

The ~ebraska Enterprise tion ends on Feb. 1 1,2009. Fund (NEF) recently awarded Three pre-conference ses- the C.c..nt.e~ for ..... .R.II~&! ...... L?.ffa.ir_~ sions are also being offered with a grant to help support this year on Tuesday after- Marketplace, a premier rural noon, Feb. 24 at Mid-Plains small business and entrepre- Community College. These neurship event now in its third focus on marketing, media, and year. The bnding received by promotion; think tanks and the m t ~ k d u r a l Affairs incubators for a community; from Nebraska Enterprise and risk management. Fund is used primarily for the "We are so appreciative of Center's RuralEnteqr.ise..As- the partnership with the Ne- sj~ancs Project (RE%??, a braska Enterprise Fund, said rural entrepfene~rial and small Kathie Starkweather, Center business development Pro- &r Rural Affairs. "The work gram. they do and the goals they

"NEF envisions a Ne- strive to achieve are in line braska where every micro and with goals set out to for the small business owner has the Marketplace." opportunity and resources to Entrepreneurs may also realize his or her potential as a want to display their products business owner," said Rose in the Nebraska Marketplace Jaspersen, Executive Director S I 0 r e j w w w . c f r a . o r g 1 of the Nebraska Enterprise marketplace/store). The store is Fund. "Marketplace is an ex- a cooperative effort between cellent resource for business the &ter for RuraLAflCairs' owners and community lead- Marketplace and GROW Ne- ers. The conference provides braska, which will ,provide the latest information about vendors with retail space, staff- business management and ing and pay sales tax. Store, community-based programs for participants are encouraged to businesscs." register so they can take ad-

The third amual Market- vantage of the day's sessions Place will be held at the Sari- and network with other profes- dhills Convention Center in sionals. The s t o e North Plane, Nebraska on Feb- deadline is February 1. ruary 25,2009. The conference For more information on will offer training, networking. Marketplace or to register: and professional development h : I l . f r a . r 1 opportunities for and marketplacehome . Or contact existing small businesses, set- Joy Marsha[[, j~ym@~fia.org, vice providers, rural communi- (402) 614- 5558. ties, and family farmers and ranchers. Early bird registra-

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COURIER

MINDEN, Nebraska

Date: Wednesday, January 28,2009 Frequency: WEEKLY Circulation: 2348 Clip Size: 15.67 sq. inches Ad Rate: $5.75 Pagelsection: A 3

PK I&E Club Met Jan. 19 Nearly sixty inventors, innova-

tors, investors, and entrepreneurs participated in the first I&E Club held Jan. 19, at the Minden Fire Hall, sponsored by the PK Part- nership, Southcentral Economic Development District, and Center far Rural Affairs-Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP).

Terry Whipple, Executive Director of the Juneau County (Wisconsin) Economic Develop- ment Corporation and founder1 brainchild of the Juneau County's Inventors and Entrepreneur's Club, provided insights and en- couragement to attendees as he told of the positive outcomes they have experienced in Wisconsin as a result of the l&E Club.

"You are important!" was the message he brought to attendees, "you are important to our economy as we live in this world of rapid change!"

"Marketing on a Shoestring" was the educational topic presented by theownersofMarketing Happens! in Hastings. Kenzie Choquette And Kristen Pavelka. They shared ideas for marketing to targeted audiences without investing high dollan and internet marketing tips.

The purpose of the I&E Club is to bring people together to leam the proper steps to explore an idea, motivate each other, tap intoeachother's networks,and get

educated. According to Whipple, 49 percent ofnewjobs are created by I&E type businesses,"but you can't win if you don't play!"

If you missed this opportunity be sure to attend the I&E Club next month. It will be held Mon- day, Feb. 16 at,6 p.m. inHoldrege in the meeting room of the Super 8 Motel, 420 Broadway Street. On Monday, March 16 the I&E Club will return to the Minden Fire Hall.

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NEWS WEDNESDAY WEEKLY ALBION, NE Circulation = 3200

02/04/2009

I Guest opinion Renewable energy the 'right way' I 1 By Johrr Crabtree, [email protected], Certtur for Rural Affirs

I In tile future, rural America will provide an increasing share of: I America's energy needs. A recent Departmcnt of Energy study reports!

that wind could provide one-fifth of the nation's electricity by 2030, with Midwest and Great Plains states capable uf providing the lion's shai~e. Congress and USDA should help rural communities build lasting economic opportunities from the resulting energy boom by developing polices that support local ownership of wind turbines by farmers, ranchcrs, rural communities and rural workers who maintain wind , energy systelns.

Thloughout the Twentieth Century, owner-operated farms, ranches and rural businesses strengthened rural economies and provided a better rural quality of life. We can take the same approach this century by enabling those involved with the new energy economy to share in the benefits of ownership.

; However, boom and bust cycles are good for no one. Communities I with wind resources will need help transitioning their economies from

the boom to lasting vitality. Finally, we must find, and government must encourage, the right

approach to biofuels. Intensive cropping systems and practices that strip too much crop residue from the land release organic matter that shonld stay in the soil Jf we continue to build the biofuels industry u \ i ~ ~ ; flaueJ ur~~ustainahlr approacheq, all of America will suffer the cousequcnueb cvcntually

~encvrnhle energy development has reached a watershed moment. The choices of the new President, Secretary of Agriculture and Congress will help determine whether America's renewable energy future will bring oppol.lunity or economic pain to rural America.

'. , I

ROCK COUNTY LEADER WEDNESDAY WEEKLY BASSET, NE Circulation= 1413

'/ Conference to energize ; usinessesand network '.

Looking for a great opportunity learn new ways to energize

eople business, network with ;

other small business owners from

1 across the state or looking to be- ! f 1.- come an entrepreneur by starting [ - business? The Center for Rural /

Affairs has the answer, the third annual Marketplace Small Busi- . \ ness conference.

This conference is open to any- ;

one with interest in learningways to improve their existing busi- / nesses, individuals looking to start their business, individuals inter- 1 ested in agricultural entrepre- "

neurship opportunities, teachers who would like to share informa- j tion with their students or youth j looking to learn more about en- 1

The conference is being held on Feb. 25, a t the Sandhills Conven- tion Center in North Platte, NE. : The local Bassett Economic De- I velopment Committee would like ' to encourage everyone to attend this conference. In order to help everyone to do this, they are offer- f ing to cover the registration fee for the event.

If interested in more informa- i tion or would like to attend, con- . tact Debbie Seberger a t 684-3319 before Feb. 9.

JOURNAL THURSDAY WEEKLY PLATTSMOUTH, NE Circalabon = 4379

01 12912009

IIIII IIIIllllIIllIIIlll Wil l llllll --- -- - - _- _.-____ - .- -- 7

4 11 opening the doors to success in rural America .

lack yiung people Center for moving into the

Rural Affairs area,

I

Also, rural corn- - munity residents and leaders, sorne-

times think that the answer to reviving main street is recruiting big business.

But industry comes and goes, and it's not uncomrnon for a recruited business to abandon a community, leaving individuals jobless and the town in despair.

m - .&- .- ~ ~ ~ 7 s ~ ~ Most Nebraska rural communities

.: 'Y c7rc=elcy have something in -I

common. --

&mit h They often have a shortage of jobs and

Rural Nebraska's growth and prosperity depend on entrepreneurship and microenterprise.

Most of the new jobs created in rural America in the past decade have come from the creative efforts of entrepreneurs and small business.

To help Nebraskans take control of their own destiny, create businesses and build jobs, the Center for Rural Affairs is again hosting Marketplace, a premier rural small business and entrepreneurship event now in its th~rd year.

The Marketplace conference is a one- day event focused on strengthening small businesses and rural comn~unities. Participants will learn essential business skills, discover new ideas for businesses

and communities, and network with service providers and other entrepreneurs. Attendees are guaranteed to come away 1 from Marketplace equipped with strate- 1 gies on how to grow or start their own business.

The event takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 25,2009 at the Sandhills Convent~on \ Center in North Platte from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Educational tracks include scssions on nrarketing, agriculture, business development, policy, comnlunity development, Hispanic entrepreneurship, and technolo- a.

For more information visit www.cfra.org/marketplacelhome or con- -

tact Joy Marshall, [email protected] or

4 U NIVERSAL lnformat~on Sew~ces Inc

4 MONITOR I THURSDAY hrEEKLY BLOOMFIELD, NE Circulation = 1405

01/29/2009

5

By Elisha Greeley Smith, el- rg, Center for Rural

Most Nebraska rural commun~ties :

it's not uncommon for a recruited

-*icroenterprise. Most of the new jobs -%rested in rural America in the past

decade have come from the creative efforts of entrepreneurs and small business.

To help Nebraskans take control of their own destiny, creatc businesses and build jobs, the Center for Rural Affairs is again hosting Marketplace, a premier rural small business and entrepreneurship event now in its third year.

The Marketplace conference is a one-day event focused on strengthening small businesses and rural communities. Participants will learn essential business skills, discover new ideas for : businesses and communities, and net- '

work with service providers ,m$pther -+ zntrepreneui-5. Attendees are gitiiran- : ecd to come away Erom Marketplace :quipped with strategies on how to ; row or start their own business.

The event takes place on Wednes- ay, Feb. 25, 2009 at the Sandhills , onvention Center in North Platte from , 30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Educational '

jcks include sessions on marketing, riculture, business development, licy, community development, His- ' nic entrepreneurship, and technol- Y For more information visit .w cfra org/rnarketplace/home or tact Joy Marshall, [email protected] 102 61 4.5558 --__ _ t

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UNIVERSAL I Information Services, Inc:

ENTERPRISE THURSDAY WEEKLY ARTHUR, NE Circulation = 357

01/29/2009

- 8-- $ . - - --- -\ -_I - - -- - - - -

center for Rural Affairs Mar e lace opens doors to success, annual Marketplace at NP Sandhills Convention Center Feb. 25

Most Nebraska rural commu- efforts of entrepreneurs and away from Marketplace nities have something in com- small business. equipped with strategies on how

I mon. They often have a shortage T, help Nebraskans take con- to grow or start their own busi- of jobs and lack Young people trol of their own destiny, create ness. moving into the area- Also* rural businesses and build jobs, the event takes place on , community residents and lead- Center for Rural Affairs is again wdnesday, ~ ~ b . 25,2009 at the = ers, think that the hosting Marketplace, a premier sandhills convention center in answer to reviving main street is mral small business and entre- North Platte from 7:30 a.m. to / \ . recruiting big business. But preneurship event now in its

5:00 p.m. Educational tracks 2 ~ndustry comes and goes, and it's third year.

no! uncommon for a recruited include sessions on marketing,

business to abandon a communi- The Marketplace agriculture, business develop-

is a One-day event focused On ment, policy, community devel- tY7 leaving individuals jobless strengthening small businesses and the town in despair. opment, Hispanic entrepreneur-

and rural communities. Partici- ship, and technology. Rural Nebraska's growth and pants will learn essential business

prosperity depend on entrepre- skills, discover new ideas for more neurship and microenterprise. businesses and communities, and www.cfra.org/marketplacehom Mort of the new jobs created in network with service providers e or contact JOY Marshall, rurnl America in the past decade and other entrepreneurs. Atten- [email protected] or 402-614- have come from the creative dees are guaranteed to come 5558.

UNIVERSAL / Information Servrces I E- . - - , . . , -

(402) 342-3 178


CENTER for -.

i RURAL AFFAIRS Values. Worth. Action.

---

'Chew The Fat' By Elisha Grccley Snzith, [email protected], Center Jor Rzlral Affairs 1

I We have all heard our parents or grandparents bragging about walking 1

uphill both ways to school. Though it may be a bit exaggerated, evidence sho\vs Ilia[ rural people were once better off in terms of phqsical activity, I nu[riiion and \wight.

A 1.~11o1.t h) ('cntcr 1.01. l<[lral Al'f'ail-s t'oilnd [hat rural Amcl-icans toda! arc ~norc oljcsc and I c ~ s l i ~ ili;ln urhan Americans.

Nurncro~~s issucs contsihutc lo this situi~thn. Fort!, ycars ago. half of all

of tral'lic sarcty concerns. Em[>loymcnt has affected our health as well. Fecver rural Americans are

i studc~its \\:alkcd 01. bicyclctf lo school. .170day less than I5 percent do because 2

employcd in rigorous t~cupations such as fanning, fishing and forestry. Also the percentage or ~nultiple irlconic farnilies has grown. With theirjobs, along wit11 school and community acii\~ilics, rural pcople struggle to find time to escrcisc and Ixcparc nutritious meals.

Evcn if individuals and families try to make better eating decisions, the availability of nutritious foods is often limited.

Many of the factors involved in worsening conditions regarding diet, ac- t i v i t ~ p and obcsity can bc addressed through individual, family and community aclion. -

As the new administration and the new (_'ongress begin to debate health $ care rcform, they necd to keep in mind that the best long-term way to reform $ the health care system is to help create healthier people. Everyone has a stake in creating a healthier society and everyone has responsibility to do so. {

The full report is available online at http://www.cfra.org. i

The Center for Rural Affairs was established in 1973 as an unafiliated norlprojl corporation under IRS code 501(c)3. The Center for Rural Ajfairs wa.s forrned by rural Nebraskans coticerried crbour family farms and rural comnlrtnitirs, and we work to strengthen small businesses, jamily farms and rutrches, and rural conznzurzities.

\,

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UNIVERSAL! lnformat~on Services ICC:

MONITOR THURSDAI' WEEKLY BLOOMFIELD, NE Circulation= 1405

, -

Center Receives Grant to

Entreoreneurs i$_ Nebraska Enterprise Fund sup-

k ~ t s Marketplace, a small business

LYONS - The Nebraska Enterprise und (NEF) recently awarded the Cen- r for Rural Affairs with a gray! to I@ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ i r k i k e ? ~ l q c e , --8 p r ~ t r n ~ ~ t 2 1 ral small business and entrepreqelr- i p event now in its third year. e funding received by the Center for ral Affairs from Nebraska Enterprise nd is used primarily for the Center's

ural Enterprise Assistance Project : (REAP), a rural entrepreneurial

and small business development pro- , .-

'jj gram. "NEF envisions a Nebraska where !

every micro and small business owner i has the opportunity and resources to realize his or her potential as a business 1 owner," said Rose Jaspersen, Executive Dircctor of the Nebraska Enterprise I Fund. "Marketplace is an excellent i resource for business owners and i community leaders. The conference j provides the latest information about i business management and community- -

! based programs for businesses."

Thethird annual Marketplace will held at the Sandhills Convention ter .in, North. P!at!P, Neeska,. .on: , p&y25,2009. T h ~ ~ o f i t e r e n ~ ~ ~ W i l l $ 1 r training, netwot-king, and profes- 1

ional development orpur:unities for up and existing sn~ail businesses, ice providers, rural communities, family fanners and ranchers. Early

gistration ends on Feb. 1 1, 2009. ree pre-conference sessions are

o being offered this year on Tuesday ernoon, Fcb. 24 at Mid-Plains Com-

College. These foc~is on rnar- , media, and promotion; think and incubators for a community;

'

"We are so appreciative of the partnership with the Ncbraska Enterprise Fund," said Kathie Starkweather, Cen- ter for Rural Affairs. "The work thcy do and thc go;lls thcy strive to achicvc are in line with goals set out to for the MarketPlace."

Entrcprcncurs may also want to dis- 1; I

play their products in the Nebraska i Store

(www.efra.org/marketplace/store). The store is a cooperative effort between the

, Center for Rural Affairs' Marketplace and GROW Nebraska, which will pro- : vide vendors with retail space, staffing ' and pay sales tax. Store participants are encouraged to register so they can take advantage of the day's sessions ,

and network with other professionals. ) The store registration deadline is Fcb- , )

For more information on Market- or to register: 1

http:llwww.cfra.orgimarkctplace/home. ? Or contact Joy Marshall, I [email protected], (402) 614- 5558.

GAZETTE

McCOOK, Nebraska

Date: Frequency: Circulation: Clip Size: Ad Rate: Pagelsection:

Tuesday, February 10,2009 DAILY 5903 11.04 sq. inches $1 0.95 14

BEBE announces February hours Deda Beck, central and south-

west Nebraska Business Specialist with the -rfarg3ualPrsEaJss ,

Rural Enterprise Assistance Proj- ect will hold office hours in Mc- CookonFeb. 17. Hours willbe 10 a.m.- 2:45 p.m. McCook Ecm nomic Development Corp. (MEDC) will handle the appointments; (308) 345-1200. MEDC office is located at 301 Noms Av- enue, Suite 200.

The Center bBmlAf fak i ' Rural Enterprise Assistance Proj- ect (REAP) and its services are available to rural communities acrossNebraska. REAP offers technical assistance, educational

and networking opportunities, and a loan program for small businesses:BEAP is designed to assist all types of small businesses, including businesses with 5 or fewer employees, self-employed full- time, part-time, home-based, farm- based, start-up, and store-front businesses. has six regionally based Business Specialists acrossNebraska. These Business Specialists can get involved in assisting entrepreneurs at various stages of their business progress.

MEW is pleased to partner withBEAe in order to offer an expanded list of services to businesses of all sizes.

-

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ENTER for RURAL AFFAIRS

Values. Worth. Action.

'Governor Walks Away .

From Rural Mainstreets: By Brian Depew, [email protected], Center for Rural ~ f f a i r s

Last wcck, Governor Heineman proposed slashing funding for importan _ rura1,development andrural .small business programs, His budget would cuc

"' a full two:?hi;ds fr6mlhe MidGent5rp6ise Partnership Fund, our state's small, business development program, and the Building Entrepreneurial Communi- ties Act (BECA), rural Nebraska's community development grant program.

During this national economic downturn, these are exactly the type of proven rural revitalization strategies that deserve the investment of our limited state tax dollars. ~ n d ' t h i s is exactly the time to invest in rural entrepreneurship and innovative rural development that can reinvigorate the rural economy and revitalize rural communities. I

Tightcning our budgetary belt in difficult times is important. But the Gov- 1 ernor singling out small businesses, rural mainstreets and innovative rural development for disproportionate cuts makes no sense whatsoever. I ; BE,CA andthe;Microenterprise .. . -,. *. Partnership Fund are two programs that,

! ldok towar3 the-future arid%elp build a more robusi5Gd resilient economy in our small towns and across the state.

Luckily, the Governor's proposal can be changed by our state senators. In I 2007, they stood up for rural Nebraska when they doubled funding for the! Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act to $500,000 and dedicated $1.5 - million to the Nebraska Microenterprise Development Act. Nebraska sena-I tors should, at least, continue support for both programs at those levels.

For further information visit www.cfra.org. The Center for Rural ASfairs was established in 1973 as an unaflliated;

nonprofit corporation under IRS code 501 (c)3. The Center for Rural Affairs =

was formed by rural Nebraskans concerned about family farms and rural communities, and we work to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities.

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STANDARD

OXFORD, Nebraska

--. ,.. .-. Date: Thursday. January 22,2009 Frequency: WEEKLY Circulation: 81 9 Clip Size: 8.71 sq. inches Ad Rate: $3.73 Pagelsection: 2

e C q y r i y 2009 \An Ri& Rc$med

January REAP office hours in McCook

Dena Beck, central and southwest Nebraska Business Specialist with the Center for Rural Af fa i~ ' Rural E n t e e e ---

Assistance Project will hold oftice -- hours in McCook on January 30.

Hours will be 10-1 1 :30 a.m. then 1 : 15-3 p.m.

McCook Economic Development Corp (MEDC) will handle the appointments: (308) 345-1200. MEDC office is located at 301 Norris Avenue, Suite 200.

-REAP.offers technical assistance, educational and ' networking opportunities and a loan program for small businesses.

REAP is designed to assist all types of small businesses, including businesses with 5 or fewer employees, self-employed full- time, part-time, home-based, farrn- based, start-up and store-front businesses.

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STANDARD

HUMBOLDT, Nebraska

Date: Thursdav. Januarv 22.2009 .. - . , , ,

Frequency: WEEKLY Circulation: 1 176 Clip Size: 33.23 sq inches

Ad Rate: $5 Pagelsection. 2

Transition to Organic Farming Workshop in Tecumseh

An organic transition informational meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, from 10:OO a.m. - 2 0 0 p.m. at the Nemaha NRD office in Tecumseh, NE, located a t 62160 High- way 136.

Sponsored by the !2e&x ~ Q Z Rural Affairs, the Five Rivers Resource Conserva- tion & Development (RC&D), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and UNL Coopera- tive Extension and funded through the Nebraska Envi- ronmental Trust, this meeting will focus on what is needed to qualify for organic premiums, how to make the transition, and how to apply for the NRCS Organic Tran- sition Incentives. Lunch will be served and

included in the $5 registration fee a t the door.

'With commodity prices falling while crop expenses are accelerating, once again producers are searching for

options to cut expenses or increase market prices," said Martin Kleinschmit with the l Z . a & x f ~ r R u ~ a i m . . "If you fall in this category, attending the informational meeting may provide the answers you are looking for." Organic prices are mu-

ally 100-200% of conventional grains. But, to sell products in the "organic" market, farmers and ranchers must .comply .with certain restrictions and rules known as the National Organic Rule. The biggest obstacle for many farmers and ranchers is the 36- month transition period, where no unauthorized inputs can be applied, yet the product does not qualify for the organic premiums. To help farmers and ranch-

ers manage some of the risk of changing management systems, USDA is providing incentive payments through the Environmental Quality

Incentives Program (EQIP) to reduce financial risk during the three-year transition period. Since EQIP allows for local control to meet local needs, some details of the program may vary between counties and Natu- ral Resource Districts. Application deadline for the program is February 14th 2009 at your local NRCS office. For details on the National

Organic Program WOP! rules, visit the USDA's home page: www.usda.gov, click on "Agriculture," then Organic Certification. For more information on the NRCS EQIP Program, contact your local NRCS office. David Welsch, dwelsch@ westbluefarm.com, 402-826- 5361, or Martin Kleinschmit, Center. .--for Rurd Affairs, martink@ cfra.org, 402-254-6893, can provide more details on transitioning to organic production.

Universal Information Services, Inc. http://news.universaI-info.com Profile: 111 - Center for Rural Affairs Recipient: John Crabtree

Page: 111

MIRROR-SUN I THURSDAY WEEKLY

LYONS, NE I Circulation ' 735 I 01 12212009

-*' - '' . i

CFRA Guest Opinion i - I

A Governor Walks Away From Rural Mainstreets I Las t week, Governor communities. rural development for dis-

Heineman proposed slashing Tightening our budgetary proportionate cuts makes no Tundine for imvortant rural belt in difficult times is im- sense whatsoever. develoiment aid rural small business programs.

His budget would cut a full two-thirds from the Microenterprise Partnership Fund, our state's small business development program, and the Building Entrepre- neurial Communities Act (BECA), rural Nebraska's community development

During this national economic downturn, these are exactly the type of proven rural revitalization strategies that deserve the investment of

ur limited state tax dollars. And this is exactly the

time to invest in rural entrepreneurship and innovative rural development that can reinvigorate the rural

, . economy and revitalize rural C,

Brian Depew Rural Organizing and Outreach Program Director

portant. But the Governor singling

out small businesses, rural mainstreets and innovative

BECA and the Microenter- -4 prise Partnership Fund are 2 two programs that look to- -2

ward the future and help build -- - - a more robust and resilient economy in our small towns and across the state.

- - Luckily, the Governor's

proposal can be changed by 1 our State Senators. In 2007 they stood up for ru- 3 ral Nebraska when they dou-

bled funding for the Building 3 Entrepreneurial Communi- ties Act to $500,000 and dedicated $1.5 million to the Nebraska Microenterprise , Development Act.

Nebraska Senators should, at least, tontinue support I

for both programs at those I levels. i

For further information 1

visit: www.cfra.org. I * i

UNIVERSAL! Information Services, Inc'

I

COURIER 1 THURSDAY WEEKLY 1 CALLAWAY, NE Circulation= 580

01 /22/2009

r - = -- - - - - , 7 7

%overnor walks away om rural mainstreets

by Brian Depew, [email protected], Center for Rural Affairs

Last week, Governor Heineman proposed slashing funding for ortant nlral development and rural small business programs. budget would cut a full two-thirds fro111 the Microenterprise nership Fund, our state's small business develop~ncnt program, the Building Entrepreneurial Comlnunities Act (BECA), rural.

Nebraska's coinmunity developmeht grant program. During this national economic downtunl, these are exactly

the type of proven rural revitalization strategies that deserve the investment of our limited state tax dollars. And this is exactly the time to invest in rural entrepreneurship and innovative rural ' developlnent that can reinvigorate the rural economy and revitalize rural com~nunities.

Tightening our budgetary belt in difficult times is important. But the Governor singling out small businesses, rural mainstreets and innovative rural development for disproportionate cuts makes ]no sense whatsoever.

BECA and the Microenterprise Partnership Fund are two pro- ;grams that look toward the fuh~re and help build a more robust and resilient economy in our small towns and across the state.

Luckily, the Governor's proposal can be changed by our State Senators. In 2007 they stood up for rural Nebraska when they doubled fimding for the Building Entrepreneurial Communities % Act to $500,000 and dedicated $1.5 million to the Nebraska Mi- ! croentelprise Development Act. Nebraska Senators should, at least, continue support for both programs at those levels.

f

MONITOR THURSDAY WEEKLY ( BLOOMFIELD, NE Circulabon = 1405

01/22/2009 I

i f Governor Walks Rway 1

week, Governor Heineman

During this national economic downturn, these are exactly the type of 1 proven rural revitalization strategies : that deserve the investment of our limited state tax dollars. And this is exactly the time to invest in rural entrepreneurship and innovative rural development

'

that can reinvigorate the rural economy and revitalize rural communities.

Tightening our budgetary belt in difficult times is important. But the Governor singling out small businesses, rural mainstreets and innovative rural development for disproportionate cuts makes no sense whatsoever.

BECA and the Microenterprise :

changed by our State Sena- 2007 they stood up for rural

further infomation visit: .,

UNIVERSAL! Information Services, Inc'

1 MONITOR THURSDAY IVEEKL Y BLOOhCIELD, NE Circulation = 1405

01/22/2009 1 L

llllllllllllllllllllllHllIIIlIIlIIII -_- - - _i !

t I' bansit ion to organic

Workshops Cater to Local Farm- ers Interested in Organic Farming

YONS - An organic transition in- ational meeting is scheduled for sday, January 29, from 10:00 a.m. 0 p.m. at the Northeast Nebraska ,

D office in Plainview, NE located at 702 East Park Avenue.

Sponsored by the Center for Rural : Affairs, the Northeast Nebraska Ke- source Conservation & Development 1 (RC&D), Natural Resources Conserva- tlon Service (NKCS), UNL Coopera- ' tive Extension and funded through the

[1 Nebraska Environmental Trust, this; ! ' meeting will focus on what is necded to 1

qualify for organic premiums, how to' make the transition and how to apply '

I for the NRCS Organic Transition In- ; centives.

Lunch will be served and included in the $5 registration fee at the door.

"With commodity prices falling ' while crop expenses are accelerating, onct: again producers are searching for options to cut expenses or increase market prices," said Martin Klein-i schmit with the Center for Rural Af-: fairs. ''If you fall in this category, attending the infomiational meeting may i provide the answcrs you are looking for."

Organic prices are usually 100-200 percent of conventional grains. But, to sell products in the "organic" markct, !

farmers and ranchers must comply with I certain restrictions and rules known as

'

the National Organic Rule. The biggest i obstacle for many farmcrs and ranchers 1 j?~. _the..J6-mon_th transition _period,

: . where no uritiiithorized inputs can be 1 applied, yet the product does not qualify for the organic premiums.

To help farmers and ranchers manage some of thc risk of changing management systems, USDA is providing 1

incentive payments through the Envi- ron~ncntal Quality Incentives Prograrn

QIP) to reduce financial risk during

-...- - yhe three-year trantiition period. Since ~ Q I P allows for locrrl control to meet local needs, so~rle details of the program may vary between counties and ,

Natural Resource Districts. Application i deadline for the program is Fcbruary 14th 2009 at your local NRCS office.

For details on the National Organic :Program (NOP) rules, visit the USDA's -home page: www.usda.gov, click on "'Agriculture", then Organic Ccrtifica- j tion. For more information on the NRCS EQlP Progra~:~, contact your local NRCS office. David Wclsch, [email protected] 402-826- '

5361 or Martin Kleinschmit, Center for Rural Affairs, [email protected] , 402- 254-6893 can provide more details on transitioning to organic production._ ,

INDEX

MITCHELL, Nebraska

Date: Wednesday, January 21,2009 Frequency: WEEKLY Circulation: 893 Clip Size: 18.04 sq. inches Ad Rate: $4.5 Pagelsection: 3

Center for E:.~~r.a.I~~.Affir.i.r.s Governor Walks Away From Rural Mainstreets

By Brian Depew, Center for Rural Affairs

Last week. Governor Heineman proposed slashing finding for important rural development and rural small business programs. His budget would cut a full two-thirds from the Microenterprise Part- nership Fund, our state's small business development program, and the Building Entre- preneurial Communities Act (BECA), rural Nebraska's community development grant program.

During this national economic downturn, these are exactly the type of proven rural revitalization strategies that deserve the investment of our limited state tax dollars. And this is exactly the time to invest in rural entrepreneurship and innovative rural development that can reinvigorate the rural economy and revitalize rural communities.

Tightening our budgetary belt in difficult times is impor.

tant. But the Governor singling out small businesses, MI mainstreets and innovative rurdl development for dispre portionate cuts makes no sense whatsoever.

BECA and the Microen- terprise Partnership Fund are two programs that look toward the future and help build a more robust and resilient economy in our small towns and across the state.

Luckily. the Governor's proposal can be changed by our State Senators. In 2007 they stood up for rural Ne- braska when they doubled funding for the Building Entre- preneurial Communities Act to $500,000 and dedicated $1.5 r.ll:a" 6- +&- 1 1 h-- ." I: IUII LU U I ~ ; I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ L ~ ;L.:iei~- enterprise Development Act. Nebraska Senators should, at least, continue support for both programs at those levels.

For further information visit: www.cfia.org.

Universal Information Services , Inc. http://news.universal-info.com Page: 111 Profile: 111 - Center for Rural Affairs Recipient: John Crabtree

I' - UNIVERSAL

Information Services. Inc.

GAZETTE WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WAUSA, NE Circulation = 753

02/04/2009

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Center for Rural Affairs receives grant to support rural entrepreneurs -1 1 h'cbrti;; ka I-:rlf~tprisr Fund

s r r p p n r i MarketPlace, a . ! ; l r : t ~ ! I l>i!ci) l~.~s conference LYONS - The Nebraska En- - - .*.

... t"e:)sis: Fur-(: recently awarded ti?< Ct.r!li':- f i i r K ~ ~ r a l Affairs with a pi. , , I c ) help support Marketplace, a pi-crnler rul-:\I > , t ~ i ; r l l business and c!?t~epr.cncu~-hl!ili cvrnt now in its third ye:!r-. Thc f~lrlding received by t l i ~ Ccntcr fol- Ktrl-ill Affairs from NcI.~t.aska Enterprise Fund is used 1"-inlorily for the (:enter's Rural Enterl)~iscAssistanieProjcct, arural ei~trel>wfic~~rid and small business developn~ent program.

"NEI: e~r\ ; is ions a Nebraska whcrc every micro and small business owner has thc opportunity and rcsourcc.; to realize his or her potcriti;ii as a busincss ownel.,'' said Rosc Jaslierscn, Executivc Director

of the Nebraska Enterprise Fund. "Mar-ketplacc is an excellentresource for business owners and commu~i ty leaders. The conference provides the latest information about business managenicnt and community-based programs for businesses."

The thirdannual Marketplace will be held at the Sandhills Convention Center, North Platte, Feb. 25.

Theconference will nffcrtl-aining, networking, and professional devcl- opment opportunities for startup and existing small businesses, service providers, rural communities, and family farmel-s and ranchers. Early bird registration ends Feb. 1 1 .

Three prc-conference sessioris arc also being offered this year Feb. 24 at Mid-Plains Community College. These focus on marketing, media, and promotion; think tanks and in-

cubators for a community; and risk management.

"We are so appreciative of the partnershipwith theh'cbl-ash;; Entcr- prise Funti, saidKathie Stal-hwcather, Center for Rural Affair-s. "The work they do and the goals they str-ivc to achieve arc in line with goals set out to for the MarkctPlace."

Entrcprcncurs may also want to display their products in theNebraska Marketplace Store (\vww.cfra.org/ marketplaceistore). The storc is a coopcrative effort bet\vccn the Ccntcr for Rural Affairs' MarketPlacc and GROWNcbraska, which will provide vendors with retail space, statfingand pay sales tax.

Store participants are encouraged toregistersothey can take advantage of the day's sessions and nctwork with other professionals. The storc registration deadline is Feb. 1.

U NIVERSAL Information Services, I nc

CEDAR CO. NEWS WEDNESDAY WEEKLY

HARTINGTON, NE Circulation = 2091

insights into their own personality and enables them to communicate and work effectively with family members and team members whether in organizations or at their workplaces."

The first phase of the Learning to Lead in Cedar County program will wrap up March 3 with Leadership Styles presented by Dr. Anita Hall, UNL Extension Educator from Antelope County. She will assist participants. in exploring different leadership styles. Hall will share examples in history of each type of leadership style and how it affected the decisions that have been made. There will also be opportunities for each person to personally study their own leadership style and how it is demonstrated in the work they do.

"The Center is delighted to help bring this leadership series to Cedar County." said Stephanie Fritz, Center for Rural Affairs. "It's a great opportunity to gain skills and help the community."

Outside grant funding is helping to finance the costs of these programs.

The deadline to register for Phase 1 is Feb. 13. Registrations can be dropped off or mailed to the City of Hartington, Economic Development, 107 W. State St;, PO Box 427, Hartington NE 68739. The registration fee covers meals and material costs. Checks should be made payable to Hartington Economic Development.

Future meeting dates are: March 17, ~onnect ing~enerat ions; March 3 1, Collaboration and Networking; April 14, Conflict Management; April 28, Entrepreneurial and Innovative Leadership; May 12, Community Growth Matters; May 26, Leading Local Economic Development.

For more information, contact Carla Becker, [email protected] or call 402-254-6357; or Elaine Arens, [email protected] or call 402- 254-6505 or 402-254-3507.

This project is funded in part by grants from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and USDA Rural Development administered by the City of Hartington Economic Development, Village of Fordyce and the Center for Rural Affairs. . .

Discover your ucolorr9 in Learning to bead program LYON2:- The first phase of the Learning to Lead in Cedar County

Program'will begin Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. with "Real Colors" presented by Jane Armstrong, UNL Extension Educator for Cedar County.

This program will help participants explore their own personality as well as discover the personalities of others. It will assist in learning how to work with individuals with a wide range of personalities.

"Real Colorsis asimple, effective way to learn about temperaments ant1 personality,"saidArmstrong. "When we learn about our own strengths and temperaments and how they differ from others', we can communicate better and create teams which are successful because they include team members with a variety of talents, strengths and personalities, yet can work effectively together because they understand each others' preferences and work styles. Real Colors helps all participants gain

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NEWS THURSDAY WEEKLY ORCHARD, NE Circulation= 6654

01/28/2009

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Open the Doors ' to Success

By Elisha Grecley Smith, eli- p [email protected], Center for Rurn!

Affairs Most Nebraska rural communi-

ties have something in common. They often have a shortage of jabs and lack young people moving into the area. Also, rural community residents and leaders, sometimes think that the answer to reviving main street is recruiting big h i - ness. Rut industry cotrles and goes, and it's not uncommon for a recruited business to abarldorl a community, leaving individuals jobless and the town in despair.

Rural Nebraska's growth and g~losperlty d e p e ~ ~ d on entrepreneur-. ship and microenterprise. Most of the new jobs'created in rural Amcr- ica in the past decade have come from the creative efforts of entre.. psenctirs and small business.

To help Nebraskans take corltrol of their own destinj-, create businesses and build jo!~s. the Center for Rural Affairs is again hosting Marketplace, a premier rural small business and entrepreneurship event now in its third year. '

The Marketplace conference is a one-day event foc~tsed on streny- thening smali businesses and rural communities. Participants will [earn essential business skills, dis-

'

cover new ideas for businesses and communities, and network wit11 service psoviders and other entie-. preneurs. Attendees are guaranteed to come away from MarkctPlace equipped with strategies on how to grow or start their own business. . 7'

The event takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 at the Sandhills Convention Center in North P!atre from ?:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.n!. Educational tracks include sessions on marketing, agriculture, business development, policy, con~munity development. Hispanic entrepreneurship, a ~ t d technology.

For more information visit www.cfra.org~inarketylace!home or contact Joy Marshall, [email protected] or 402.614.5558

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Documents

CFRA 022009 Clips