Welcome

Welcome to the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative!

The mission of the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative is to engage the widest possible range of knowledge, skills and creativity of the four campuses--Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha and the Medical Center--upon stabilizing and enhancing the economy and quality of life in rural Nebraska.

The goals of the Rural Initiative are to:

-- Connect Nebraskans with knowledge relevant to building their futures
-- Originate and support research that benefits community, regional and economic development in nonmetropolitan areas of Nebraska, and
-- Spur innovation, investment and wise use of resources to benefit Nebraska.

• Nebraska Local Foods Network Spring Conference
  The "Expanding Nebraska's Local Foods" Conference on Tuesday, March 9, will explore ways to enhance and increase the production and consumption of Nebraska Local Foods within various distribution channels. Click on the link for an agenda and registration information.
  
  
• Energy Organizations and Businesses in Nebraska
  The University of Nebraska Rural Initiative has begun to compile a list of organizations and businesses participating in the emerging energy-focused economic sector. Click on the above link to access it.
  
  
• 6th Annual Food Safety Task Force Conference March 2 in Nebraska City
  Mark Gustafson, Rural Economic Development Coordinator of the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, will speak on "Pursuing Economic Opportunities through the Development of a Local/Regional Food System" during one of nine informative sessions that will focus on local foods production and marketing.
  
  
• Winning Government Contracts for Your Business - Free Workshop Series
  Click on the link for more information on Nebraska Business Development Center webinars and workshops about securing government contracts.
  
  
• Envision Rural Nebraska is on Facebook
  This page is sponsored by the Nebraska Rural Initiative with the hopes that rural Nebraskans will use it to network and interact on important issues affecting the state.
  
  
• Community tree planting grants now available
  These grant opportunites listed on the Nebraska Forest Service website are available to groups and communities for community tree planting and green space enhancement in Nebraska.
  
  
• 2007 Census of Agriculture Reports
  The Census of Agriculture provides us with important measures of changes that are occurring in the industry with regard to farm numbers, size, ownership and income. The short reports presented here (click on the above link to our "Research Overview" page) highlight some of what we believe to be the most important trends in Nebraska's largest industry.
  
  
• Rural Initiative Web site details economic and demographic data of Nebraska counties
  Click on the link below for complete data on each county. Click on the link above for a news release that summarizes the rural demographic trends uncovered by the data.
  
  
• Clickable Nebraska County Map of Demographic & Economic Data
  Counties are in colored blocks showing Nebraska Legislative Districts. Click on a county for a summary of 2007 data on population, employment, income and earnings in that county..
  
  
• See selected articles on rural issues below.