"Most small businesses shutter when the owners retire." In rural Colorado, this co-op is keeping jobs alive. Watch the full story: https://youtu.be/dLnYIVcKwmo #RuralEconomy #EmployeeOwnership #RMEOC

Great to see RSN member Pub is the Hub supporting rural community venues to grow and thrive.

Read how a Llandwrog pub is expanding its facilities to boost connection, accessibility and wellbeing.👇

rsnonline.org.uk/pub-is-the-h...

#RuralEconomy #RuralCommunities

Recordings, minutes & slides from the Cross Party Group in Scottish Parliament on Rural Policy (2021–26) are now online

👉 www.sruc.ac.uk/research/res...

#RuralScotland #RuralPolicy #ScottishParliament #FoodSystems #LandUse #RuralEconomy #SRUC #ScottishRuralAction #ScotlandFoodAndDrink

House adopts agricultural bond language and votes to send the farm and forestry bond package forward After debate about funding approach, interest costs, and target beneficiaries, the House adopted committee and senate amendments to LD 20 94, a $45 million‑scale agricultural/forestry bond package, and voted to engross the bill for subsequent voter and constitutional steps.

The House has voted to advance a $45 million agricultural and forestry bond package, igniting a heated debate over funding methods and the future of Maine's farms.

Learn more here!

#ME #CitizenPortal #RuralEconomy #FarmInfrastructure #MaineAgriculture #SustainableAgriculture

Sen. Russ Ingalls outlines S.323 as measure to restore farmers' protections and ease on-farm sales rules Sen. Russ Ingalls told the House Agriculture Committee that S.323 would restore most pre-Supreme Court protections for farmers, add an alternate Act 250 exemption for accessory on-farm sales capped at $250,000 in outside-product sales (adjusted for inflation), and update seed, pesticide and hemp oversight rules. Agency witnesses will return next week for follow-up.

Sen. Russ Ingalls is championing S.323 to restore critical protections for farmers and modernize agricultural regulations, promising a significant shift in how on-farm sales are managed.

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#VT #AgriculturalReform #CitizenPortal #VermontAgriculture #RuralEconomy #FarmersRights

Committee hears bill to ease paperwork for small retailers selling dyed/off-road diesel; industry and DOR urge careful drafting Representative Willard Haley’s House Bill 3,392 would relax Form 149 filing requirements for small retailers selling dyed (off-road) diesel to reduce audits and administrative burden; retailers and farm groups supported the change while trade groups and the Department of Revenue urged careful language to avoid shifting liability or breaching federal rules.

A new bill aims to lighten the paperwork load for rural retailers selling dyed diesel, but careful drafting is essential to avoid unintended consequences.

Learn more here!

#MO #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal #SmallBusinessSupport #RuralEconomy #MissouriAgriculture

SD's big swing on property tax relief expected to help rural economy South Dakota homeowners hope new property tax relief efforts adopted by the state lead to savings and economic development leaders serving rural areas said any bit helps when it comes

South Dakota has adopted new property tax relief measures aimed at lowering residential bills. Rural housing leaders say even small savings matter as construction, repairs, insurance, and taxes continue to climb.
#SouthDakota #Housing #RuralEconomy #PropertyTaxes

Committee advances bill to bar dominant retailers from owning meat-packing operations The Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee approved House File 4080, as amended, which would prohibit dominant retailers from acquiring ownership interests in or entering exclusive contracts with livestock dealers or meat-packing companies; enforcement would be split between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the attorney general. The bill was referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee.

Minnesota is taking a bold step to protect competition in the meat industry by banning dominant retailers from controlling livestock dealers and meat-packing firms!

Learn more here

#MN #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaAgriculture #MarketCompetition #RuralEconomy #LaborStandards

IN targets rural growth with $1 billion life sciences investment Indiana is tying its economic future to rural communities with a billion-dollar investment in life sciences.Gov. Mike Braun said the plan aims to create 100,000 high-wage jobs over the next

Most of Indiana is rural, and state leaders say its economic future depends on new paths forward. A $1B life‑sciences initiative targets agriculture, biotech, and environmental innovation.
#Indiana #RuralEconomy #LifeSciences

The Big Picture: India's Wheat Warning: Why the Government's Rabi Numbers May Be Wrong and What El Niño Could Do Next

2/2 El Niño is developing. Fertiliser costs are rising. The Strait of Hormuz is near closed.
India's agriculture is not in crisis yet. But April will tell us how close we are.

Listen to the full conversation👇

#FoodInflation #AgriPolicy #CropEstimates #RuralEconomy

Dairy Crisis! Falling Milk Prices Push UK Farmers to the Brink Prices paid to many UK dairy farmers have fallen by up to 15 pence per litre, or about 40 per cent, since October 2025, as milk production rises in the UK and globally.

Milk price drop pushes UK dairy sector towards losses

#UKDairy #MilkPrices #FarmersInFocus #AgricultureNews #DairyIndustry #FoodProduction #RuralEconomy #SustainableFarming #UKFarming #FarmersChallenges

www.easterneye.biz/uk-dairy-mil...

Governor Stein Kicks Off Rural Listening Tour | WNC Times Today Governor Josh Stein kicked off his rural listening session series. He met with business leaders, local elected officials, and other leaders to h...

Governor Stein Kicks Off Rural Listening Tour wnctimes.com/article/gove... #NorthCarolina #NCPolitics #Politics #NCGovernor #GovernorStein #Rural #RuralEconomy #WNCmountains #RuralCommunities #Economy #RuralListeningTour #MountainLiving

Board of Natural Resources affirms most timber sales after extended public comment, splits on legacy-forest cases After more than an hour of public comment urging both approval and deferral of timber sales, the Board of Natural Resources affirmed prior approvals for several February sales, voted 4–2 to affirm two legacy-related sales and approved six proposed sales for April; the meeting included sustained calls to defer 15 sales pending fuller SEPA alternatives analyses.

The Washington Board of Natural Resources has sparked heated debate by approving timber sales while balancing economic needs with environmental concerns.

Get the details!

#WA #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalPolicy #TimberSales #RuralEconomy

Have we passed ‘peak sheep’? | The-14 UK sheep numbers are declining as diets, subsidies and farming economics change. Can new roles in conservation, grazing and wool support national flocks future?

Have we passed ‘peak sheep’?
#Sheep #Agriculture #Farming #UK #BritishCountryside #Livestock #SheepFarming #FoodProduction #Farming #RuralEconomy #FarmLife #LandManagement #Biodiversity #WoolIndustry #NaturalFibres #RuralCommunities #FoodSystems #Grazing
the-14.com/have-we-pass...

Lombardy Unveils Italy’s First National Digital Portal for Wine Tourism New platform aims to boost rural economies and attract international visitors by connecting wineries and travel experiences across the country

Lombardy Unveils Italy’s First National Digital Portal for Wine Tourism #WineTourism #Lombardy #Italy #TravelItaly #RuralEconomy

Community matters in rural business 🤝 Trust, consistency, and local reputation often drive success more than big marketing budgets. #SmallBusinessTips #RuralEconomy #LocalStrong

House passes substitute bill changing Working Connections rules amid sharp floor opposition Substitute House Bill 26 89, a governor-request measure adjusting Working Connections attendance and rate rules, passed 53-44 with one excused after extended debate where several members warned it would deepen child-care deserts in rural counties and harm providers.

The House has passed a controversial bill aimed at balancing the budget, but critics warn it could devastate child-care access in rural communities.

Read the full story

#WA #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal #ChildCareAccess #RuralEconomy

Kentucky Senate approves bill tying state duty-to-warn claims to EPA labels after heated debate After marathon floor debate, the Kentucky Senate passed SB 199, which makes an EPA-approved pesticide label the controlling standard for state duty-to-warn claims and narrows the circumstances under which manufacturers can face state liability; supporters said it protects farmers and affordability, opponents said it creates near-immunity for industry.

The Kentucky Senate just passed a controversial bill linking pesticide liability to EPA labels, igniting fierce debate over farmer protection versus corporate immunity.

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#KY #CitizenPortal #ConsumerProtection #RuralEconomy #EnvironmentalRegulation

Rodeo in the Digital Age: Rural Communities Navigate Tradition and Monetisation As outback rodeos turn to social media monetisation, rural communities face mounting tension between economic survival and growing public concern over animal welfare.

Rodeo in the Digital Age: Rural Communities Navigate Tradition and Monetisation

#RodeoAustralia #RuralEconomy #AnimalWelfare #OutbackLife #AusNews

thedailyperspective.org/article/2026-03-06-rodeo...

Senate committee advances bill to set PBM reimbursement floor and require Medicaid-based dispensing fee The Senate Business and Insurance Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 2074, which would require PBMs to use the Oklahoma Medicaid reimbursement methodology and set a professional dispensing fee at least equal to the Medicaid rate to shore up local pharmacy access. Supporters said the changes protect rural and independent pharmacies; the bill passed the committee 10-0.

Oklahoma is taking a bold step to protect local pharmacies by setting a reimbursement floor for pharmacy benefit managers, ensuring fair access for residents.

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#OK #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #SmallBusinessSupport #RuralEconomy

Lawmakers hear calls to make higher CACFP payments permanent for family childcare homes to ease rural provider strain Witnesses told the Health and Human Services Committee that the CACFP two‑tier reimbursement system penalizes in‑home family childcare providers in many rural areas and urged Congress to reimburse all family child‑care homes at the higher (tier 1) rate.

Senator Holstrom is pushing for a groundbreaking resolution that could revolutionize funding for family child-care homes by ensuring they all receive higher reimbursement rates, regardless of their location.

Learn more here!

#NE #CitizenPortal #ChildNutrition #RuralEconomy #FamilySupport

Oregon committee approves new "farm store" pathway, sends HB 4,153 to Ways and Means The House committee approved a dash‑3 amendment to HB 4,153 that creates a new 'farm store' permitting pathway while preserving the existing farm‑stand statute; lawmakers debated county capacity and uneven benefits for different farm types before forwarding the bill to Ways and Means.

Oregon's House committee just approved a new "farm store" amendment that aims to boost retail opportunities for farms while keeping existing regulations in place—what's next for small farmers?

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#OR #AgriculturePolicy #RuralEconomy

Senate hearing hears strong rural support for SB 15 24 to dedicate lottery funds for horse racing and fairgrounds Supporters including county fair officials, trainers and breeders told the Senate committee SB 15 24 would replace funds lost when hub wagering changed and provide steady lottery funding (0.3% of proceeds) to preserve racing infrastructure and rural economic activity; committee members sought clarifications about ORC distribution mechanics and timing.

Oregon's Senate is considering a pivotal bill that aims to secure vital funding for horse racing and rural economies, promising to sustain community fairs and track infrastructure through a dedicated lottery allocation.

Learn more here

#OR #PublicSafety #RuralEconomy #CommunityInfrastructure

Committee clears bill to exempt single-farm roadside markets from local permitting rules The committee passed House Bill 50 97 after adopting an amendment clarifying the exemption applies to a farmer’s owned or leased property and stating local governments are not liable for occurrences arising from the exemption.

A new bill could revolutionize roadside markets for South Carolina farmers by easing local permitting requirements—could this be the boost small farms need?

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#SC #CitizenPortal #SouthCarolinaFarmers #RuralEconomy #AgriculturalRegulations #LocalFoodMovement

Appropriations panel hears bill to match EPA grant for Norfolk wastewater upgrades tied to dairy expansion The Appropriations Committee heard testimony on LB1248, a contingent state appropriation that would allow Nebraska to match EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funds to build an industrial pretreatment system for Norfolk’s wastewater plant; the bill requires a 50% local match and takes effect only if federal funding is awarded.

Nebraska's future in dairy processing hinges on a crucial bill that could unlock federal funding for vital wastewater upgrades—will it get the green light?

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#NE #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment #RuralEconomy #ClimatePollution

Committee hears bill to add experience-based pathway for CPA licensure in Kansas House Bill 2573 would revise Kansas Board of Accountancy licensure rules by replacing 'substantial equivalency' with explicit criteria and creating an experience-based pathway (bachelor's degree plus one or two years of accounting experience) as an alternative to 150 semester hours. Proponents said the change aims to expand the pipeline, especially in rural areas; no opposition was recorded.

Kansas is on the verge of revolutionizing CPA licensure with House Bill 2573, offering new pathways for aspiring accountants and addressing workforce challenges in rural areas.

Learn more here!

#KS #KansasAccountancy #CitizenPortal #ProfessionalLicensure #RuralEconomy #WorkforceDevelopment

Subcommittee advances 'lemon law' for farm equipment, citing rural harm The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee unanimously reported CS for HB637, a measure sponsored by Rep. Griffiths that would give Florida farmers and ranchers a lemon-law–style remedy for major farm equipment by defining nonconforming equipment and requiring repair or replacement after repeated failed attempts.

Florida is set to introduce a groundbreaking "lemon law" for farm equipment, ensuring farmers won't be left in the lurch with defective machinery!

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#FL #CitizenPortal #ConsumerProtection #AgricultureReform #RuralEconomy

Working Lands coalition pushes for larger base and one‑time funding to support supply‑chain projects The Working Lands Coalition, represented by the Vermont Council on Rural Development and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, asked the committee to raise the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative base to $1.5 million and provide $3.5 million one‑time to meet backlog needs and support processing, storage and distribution projects that unlock private investment.

The Working Lands Coalition is calling for a significant funding boost to transform Vermont's supply chain infrastructure and unlock millions in private investment!

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#VT #PrivateInvestment #CitizenPortal #VermontWorkingLands #InfrastructureDevelopment #RuralEconomy

AgLaunch tells House committee Tennessee farmers can co-own ag-tech companies AgLaunch founder Pete Nelson told the House Agriculture Committee that farmer-led innovation links producers to ag-tech startups, gives farmers equity in firms, and has produced 38 companies using Tennessee-based trials and demonstrations.

Tennessee farmers are not just growing crops; they're co-owning cutting-edge ag-tech companies that turn their expertise into economic power!

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#TN #CitizenPortal #TennesseeFarmers #FarmerEmpowerment #AgTechInnovation #RuralEconomy

Committee tweaks rural hospital tax credit to keep small hospitals eligible The committee reported HB662 (LC461401S) out of committee after sponsors said the substitute would expand eligibility to rural emergency hospitals, lower an indigent-care threshold from 10% to 5% of net revenue for program participation, and remove a three-year standard-deviation penalty that could disqualify improving hospitals.

Georgia's rural hospitals are on the brink of relief as new changes to the tax-credit program could restore vital services and support struggling facilities!

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#GA #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #MaternalHealth #RuralEconomy #GeorgiaHospitals